🏢 Strata Life Episode 30 is LIVE! Is your common property maintenance up to legal standards? ⚖️ Let’s talk strata law, body corporate duties, and what every Victorian property owner needs to know! 💡

🎧 Tune in now to get expert insights from our strata legal team—because when it comes to Melbourne strata management, compliance matters.

I want to cover today common property maintenance. Disagreements usually arise in respect of maintenance of common property that relates to gardens, hallways, and pools. It often arises when some residents feel as if it's not being properly maintained or others think the cost is too expensive to repair and maintain them. So, an example of it would be a communal garden that it becomes overgrown and residents complain that the garden is not being maintained properly. Some residents could also argue that the costs are too high for the upkeep. One way that the committee, the strata committee, could address this is by conducting a survey to get the opinion on the garden's maintenance from the owners. They could negotiate with the owners a reasonable maintenance schedule and cost sharing approach based on the building's needs and preferences. And most importantly, it is not just on the committee to make the decision or bear the burden on their shoulders. This is also an opportunity in carrying out the survey for the committee to understand what the rest of the strata community feels about the types of issues and decision making. It is also an opportunity for the committee to have a conversation with the rest of the owners and make a decision so that they could have a joint and goal as a community. So keeping in mind that the conversation should really continue so that the committee would not only carry the burden of the decision but could also have that conversation with the rest of the audience.

#StrataLawVictoria #CommonPropertyMaintenance #OwnersCorporationCompliance #StrataLevies #MaintenanceFundPlanning #StrataLegalAdviceMelbourne #BodyCorporateResponsibilities #StrataDisputeResolution #VictorianStrataRegulations #StrataByLawsEnforcement #StrataManagementServices #StrataPropertyLegalGuidance #OwnersCorporationAct2006 #StrataFeeRecovery #StrataComplianceVictoria

🎙️ Fur babies vs. by-laws? 🐶🐾 It's the debate shaking up strata communities across Melbourne!

In this episode of Strata Life, we dive into the legal ins and outs of pet ownership disputes, common property rights, and how strata rules really work under Victorian law.

🏢 If you live in or manage a strata property — this one’s for you. Let’s clear the confusion and protect your rights the smart way.

I want to cover in this episode disputes over pet ownership. Strata communities often have strict pet policies that residents may disregard leading to conflicts that relate to noise, damage or unwanted animals in common areas. So, an example of it would be a resident bringing in a large dog, even though the building's bylaw restricts pet size. Other residents complain about the dog's behavior and hygiene. So, what could happen or what could occur is that the committee would investigate and issue a formal notice for compliance from the owner, from the resident, about the pet to comply with the bylaws so that that would allow the resident to rehome the pet or apply for approval. They also conduct a review of the pet policy and improve communication around it. So, it's important on the strata community side that there's an opportunity provided to the resident when it comes to compliance with the bylaws. An initial warning or a breach notice, followed a final breach notice that gives a fair opportunity for the pet owner to rectify the misconduct or misbehavior. Where it's clear that there is no intention to comply with the bylaws or rules. That's when the committee will make a decision to take further action. Now in respect of the pet owner, it is your responsibility that you bring into the strata community. A pet, it is your responsibility to be informed of what the bylaws or rules are when it comes to managing a pet, especially when they're using the common areas. So, to manage and avoid or reduce disputes over pet ownership. The strata community should provide reasonable opportunities for the pet owner to rectify the issues, and the pet owner should be aware of the rules that they ought to comply with since they're living in a strata community.

#StrataLife #PetDisputes #StrataLawVictoria #OwnersCorporation #VCATDecisions #PetBylaws #StrataManagement #MelbourneStrata #StrataLiving #PetFriendlyStrata #StrataDisputes #LegalAdviceVictoria #MelbourneLawyer #PetOwnershipRights #StrataPets

🎧 Strata Life S3E28: Unauthorised Renovations – Know Your Rights! Renovating without approval? It could cost more than you think. 🚫🔨 Discover how to manage unauthorised works legally and protect your strata community.

In today's session, I want to cover unauthorized renovations. I understand that residents sometimes carry out renovations without first asking the approval from the strata committee that could lead to risks, safety risks, damage to shared spaces and violations of the building codes. So, an example of it is where a resident would knock down internal walls of their apartment or unit without the approval of the strata community. The renovations could impact on the building's plumbing and wiring and causing disruptions to other units. And how should this be dealt with? Well, the strata committee could require that the renovations be reversed, and repairs be made to common areas. and they update the renovation policies as well. The strata community could do that and require more stringent checks and clear communication about the need for approval before modifications. So, it's important that the strata community looks into the rules in respect of the procedures. Not only that, I do recommend that even during the annual general meeting, which is once a year, opportunity for all owners to get together, that Items that are required in accordance with the bylaws or rules in respect of renovations carried out within one's unit or apartment is addressed at that AGM. That way it is clear to all residents and owners that there are certain rules that need to be complied with or bylaws that need to be complied with when it comes to carrying out renovations because it could impact the whole development if the appropriate steps are not carried out. For example, a written consent may be needed from the strata community. So that is what I want to cover for today's session in respect of unauthorized renovations.

#StrataLaw #UnauthorisedRenovations #BodyCorporateVictoria #StrataManagement #MelbourneProperty #PropertyCompliance #RenovationRules #StrataDisputes #BuildingApprovals #StrataLawyer #StrataLiving #OwnersCorporation #LegalAdviceMelbourne #RCandCoLawyers #StrataLifePodcast