Commercial

Who actually owns the balcony in strata complexes? You may be asking this question as a homeowner or strata management service in Sydney. Specifically, when it comes to safety, repairs and maintenance, the question of ownership arises, “Who will pay, who is liable?”. Depending on the strata complex and bylaws, ownership and liability can differ. As a general rule, each lot owner owns anything within the four walls of their unit.

Keep reading below to learn more about some important points to note about balconies as a lot owner or strata management service.

Barbeques and smoking responsibility for strata balconies

If you love barbecues, be aware that some apartments have by-laws or rules that ban or restrict their use due to the smell they spread to other apartments & common property. It can also be restricted due to the health and safety risks they pose.

In some cases, you may be able to light up a barbecue if you are committed to ensuring it doesn’t cause smoke to drift onto the neighbouring or common property. A strata manager can help determine the fairest solution for barbecue use and enforce the by-laws relating to it.

Smoking on strata balconies also raises a crucial ‘nuisance factor’ regarding the safety of the common property.

It’s important to know the by-laws if you’re a smoker, expecting to host a smoker relative this summer, or you live in a community where you are exposed to smoke drift on your balcony. Strata owners usually have several options available to them regarding the banning of smoke penetrating any other lot or common property like balconies.

Key safety measures to take for strata balconies

Most balconies have some sort of weight restrictions to ensure their structural integrity. Be mindful of factors like how many people the structure can take and the type and weight of furniture you use.

Consistently check the condition of railings and keep close tabs on the behaviour happening on the balconies. immediately attend to and de-escalate any dangerous issues found, especially if those can affect the common property or pose dangerous risks for the safety of residents and others.

Strata balconies maintenance

Safety and maintenance go hand in hand when it comes to strata balconies. Keeping your balcony in safe, clean and usable condition will decrease safety concerns. Whether your balcony is private or common property will decide if you’re personally responsible for maintaining a balcony and this depends on the specific strata plan.

If there’s a problem with balcony drainage, glass, railings or tiling, the strata management or owner’s corporation should be your first point of contact for maintenance and the lot owner should not undertake any direct DIY work. If there’s a problem or you wish to change the appearance of your balcony check with the strata committee first to seek permission or to arrange work orders.

Proper strata management is essential for Sydney strata properties to thrive. Flawed management can result in painful fees, damages and loss of business. Whether it’s a place of business or living, strata must be taken care of by responsive professionals — and Strata & Co. can do it all! Call Strata & Co on 1300 033 947 today.

If you are a resident, owner or operator of a strata building, you understand what it is like to have incompetent strata managers – ones that are unresponsive, lazy or unqualified.

Regardless, you may also know how it is to work with excellent strata managers and the positive difference they can offer.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of comprehensive strata services and why you should choose a strata management company that provides you with the best.

Services provided

There are many strata companies in Sydney and trying to figure out which one to choose can be daunting. You can easily eliminate a lot of companies from your choices by assessing whether or not they provide comprehensive services.

A strata management company that can provide you with a wide host of services, rather than just on a selected few, can go a long way in helping you manage your complex.

Most strata companies will provide a few core services and outsource other areas.

But at Strata & Co., we offer all levels of strata management and are proud to be the only company of its kind in Australia. Our fully licensed and local teams are trained and skilled in comprehensive strata management.

Personalized service

Our unique approach to strata management is like a one-stop-shop, where you work with us for all your strata needs. A holistic approach provides numerous benefits such as an easier billing process which help organise and minimise fees and payments.

By being all-inclusive, there’s no need to work with multiple companies and people. You just have one point of contact that can filter all your needs which saves time, money and avoids unnecessary hassle.

Local industry knowledge

Our qualified team has experience with residential, commercial and community strata and we pride ourselves on our local knowledge of specific areas of Sydney. We understand the needs of your strata whether you are in Cronulla or Bondi.

The areas we have knowledge in and cover across Sydney include, but is not limited to, the Eastern Suburbs, the Sutherland Shire, Western Sydney, the Northern Beaches and the North Shore.

24-hour turnaround

Another benefit of being comprehensive is we offer after-hours contact numbers for any of your emergency needs. We aim to make strata straightforward, but that doesn’t mean we make it useless! We make strata simple for you by doing our job exceptionally.

Here at Strata & Co., we have you covered for all your comprehensive strata management needs in Sydney. From accounting and administration, by-laws, executive meetings, insurance and other extra services, we specialise in all areas of strata.

For more information about how to change your strata manager to a more competent one or perhaps a better understanding of our services, contact our friendly team at 1300 033 947 today!

Solar energy is becoming more and more popular in Australia, especially with our conducive climate. Perhaps you are a resident or an owner of a strata who is thinking about investing on this for your complex or specific apartment block.

However, going solar in a strata is not as simple as you may think. There are multiple factors that make it tricky — and we will explain these as well as ways to still incorporate it.

Typically, in strata properties, the individual blocks or homes have their own electricity account. If you, as a complex, want solar energy, how will you decide where the solar power goes and who must continue to use the previous energy supplier? If an individual wants solar, then it would require an individual set up which can prove to be difficult.

In strata complexes, there are multiple decision makers, so even making the choice to install solar may take a while and require several people’s approval. And once approved, the installation can prove a hassle depending on your building height, roof structure and wiring capabilities.

Adding panels to a roof may require heavy machines to transport panels and other items. And intense wiring might be needed to activate the solar panels. Plus, getting the right angle and placement is crucial. These are all factors to consider.

There are some solutions though which can assist you in incorporating green solar energy into your building. Keep reading to find out.

Powering common areas

By choosing to focus the solar panels’ energy to power common areas, you avoid the pitfall of some tenants monopolising the “free” energy over others.

Common areas often work off a different meter because they aren’t charging tenants directly, so it is easier to add a solar meter. This will minimise the communal cost in the long run and should benefit everyone through reduced strata bills.

This is perhaps the simplest way to add solar to your building without trying to jump through many hoops and dealing with individuals as a whole.

Per room

If the building is only occupied by a few sections and the roof has plenty of space to allocate a solar panel for each tenant, then choosing a solar system per unit may be a better option for you. This means each tenant reaps the benefits of their own solar unit.

However, challenges may arise with this method as well. What if one area of the roof gets more sunlight than another area? What if someone wants a larger panel? Having a mix of renters and buyers could make approval for this difficult.

This is why choosing confident and competent strata companies in Sydney is vital. We at Strata & Co. can help you navigate the tenuous roads of meetings, by-laws and approval processes.

Shared system

Another method is to use one system that divides the energy up between units. This requires complex computing — and only one company in Australia offers it so far.

Basically, over the course of the month, each apartment gets equal amounts of solar energy distribution. It can be added to existing metering. But because of its rarity in deployment, this may be an idea for the future when it becomes more widely available.

If you want to incorporate solar energy into your strata, there are ways of doing it. Here at Strata and Co., we pride ourselves in providing comprehensive strata management throughout Sydney. This includes navigating all queries and innovations you may have.

For more information, contact our friendly team at 1400 033 947.

There are various elements to strata living that only the most experienced strata companies in Sydney can manage.

When it comes to tenant issues, it can be challenging to navigate, but here at Strata & Co., we have some helpful tips on how to deal with noise complaints.

Dealing with the issue

It is important to understand that all those who live and work in a strata scheme should avoid being a nuisance to other tenants.

However, different strata buildings have different by-laws – and these may or may not include specific noise issues.

A good strata manager will be able to indicate in paperwork where the by-laws are stated. If new by-laws need to be drafted, then strata companies can assist in all the necessary steps.

It is often recommended that if there are noise problems amongst neighbours, they handle it maturely and hassle-free. But that doesn’t always happen, and one or more neighbours may end up complaining.

In this case, it is always best to get any complaints in writing because if further action needs to be taken, word of mouth can be hard to verify.

Enforcing the by-laws

If a by-law is in place and is being breached, then you can take the necessary actions to remedy that. But if perhaps no law is being broken, a new by-law could be introduced to resolve the issue.

This often requires the planning and execution of a committee meeting, which again, a company like Strata & Co. assists with.

Proper warning and explanation of any by-laws being broken is required to any offending tenants.

However, if problems persist, then further action can be taken and fines may be issued. Again, this is something that a strata manager can help advise.

All efforts to resolve issues civilly should be made before, resulting in any sort of legal action. This can be time-consuming, costly and relationship-damaging.

Seeking assistance

Mediation may also be a viable option, where an unbiased third-party listens to their dispute and then helps them resolve it.

Again, this may lead to something or may not – it is dependent on the individuals involved.

Certain areas of Sydney are more prone to noise than others due to the active nightlife they may have.

Strata management in Bondi, for example, may be different from others as the area is close to the beach. It may lend itself to neighbours having a good time and forgetting about the time. It is wise to think about these things when writing up by-laws per building.

No matter the issue, Strata & Co. are your strata management experts. We are skilled in helping you deal with all sorts of issues – whether noise complaints or larger, more complex problems. It always helps to have reliable management on your side.

Find out more about our full range of services and how we can help you by contacting our friendly staff at 1300 033 947.

With the increase in the number of people being in their homes, it is not uncommon to see electricity bills rise. Whether people are working from home or binge-watching Netflix films, electricity is being consumed heavily.

There are ways to minimise electricity consumption which helps with saving not only money, but also the planet. In this blog, we provide some smart tips and tricks to saving power in your strata.

Note that this article is intended for both strata owners as well as residents.

Efficient lighting choices

Lights are often one of the essential parts of building functionality and safety. As these are needed for visibility, lights are an area of strata that should not be compromised. However, there are ways to help reduce lighting costs.

For all common areas such as stairs, lobbies, hallways and outdoor spaces, think about using an alternative bulb such as LED. Many modern LED lights can offer significant reductions in electricity consumption. And when you multiply this by many lights, you have the potential to save big!

Another idea connected to lighting is installing timers. Having lights on all the time can significantly chew into your electric bill. Timers give you the flexibility to have lights on when they are needed, and power down when they’re not in use. Even opting to use sensors can help a lot, too.

These ideas may seem little, but over time, they have a big impact.

Smart alternatives

Lighting is not the only area that can help save money. By simply choosing energy-efficient appliances for your building, you can save electricity.

There are many smart options for washers, dryers, fridges and other appliances that may be required in your building. Our strata company based in Sydney can assist with seeking out effective appliance solutions.

Temperature regulation

Another method, although rarely employed, is to use windows and curtains to help reduce costs.

If possible, on hot days, rather than blasting the AC, opt to open some windows. And on cooler days, cover the openings but still allow sunlight inside. This simple trick has been shown to reduce cooling and heating costs, especially in well-weathered areas.

This is one of the leading tips when it comes to strata management in the Northern Beaches and other temperate zones.

Saving electricity is a group effort. Both owners and residents need to evaluate their energy consumption and look for ways to reduce this.

Sometimes, it is a matter of breaking habits, such as leaving lights on, running the AC while windows are open or having unnecessary appliances running. This is not an overnight fix, but over time, building energy-saving habits will positively affect your wallet and the world.

For more information about saving electricity or for options about budgeting your strata management costs, contact our friendly and expert staff at 1300 033 947.

The current pandemic brings to light the seriousness of health and safety precautions. It made us realise that remaining safe from sickness and disease is not just essential now; it is crucial for all times of the year.

In strata buildings, there are shared spaces. And now more than ever, it is vital to understand how to remain healthy and avoid spreading germs.

In this blog, we will discuss some strata-friendly ways to reduce the spread of sickness. Mitigating the circulation of germs is quite easy when we are all aware and educated.

Many local and state governments, hospitals and businesses have tried very hard recently to disseminate necessary information regarding healthy habits.

Creating useful and clear graphics to enforce the points is a great way to educate. For strata owners, we recommend you print some of these infographics to place in common areas of your building.

It will help educate and assist in providing a feeling of ease because people will know that the management is aware and concerned.

Here are some examples:

Being transparent and open with people is the best way to remove doubt and potential fear. Explaining measures you have or that are in effect to help reduce the spread of this disease, in general, can go a long way in establishing a sense of trust.

Here at Strata & Co., it is basically business as usual, with the following standards enforced:

• Ensure hand sanitisers and soaps are available in sites, offices and amenities.
• Implement sanitary protocols mandatory for all employees to follow.
• Implement isolation plan for teams and workgroups.
• Implement varying work schedules to suit individual complexes and projects.

Because our line of work involves various people, meetings and duties, we need to consider a myriad of adjusted standards. Perhaps some of these changes apply for you as well.

• Provide clear and defined work zones with tradesmen and onsite visitors.
• Isolate staff into smaller groups and/or teams. Each team is isolated from each other. This will allow other teams to take over in case of an outbreak in a particular group and avoid any inconvenience or temporary shutdowns.
• Avoid non-essential work where possible.
• Minimise interactions with public and clients, and where possible, communicate only through phones, emails and video conferences.
• Adjust work schedules.
• Encourage employees to avoid travel on public transport, such as taxis and rideshares, and limit attendance to public spaces.
• Minimise visits to meetings, complexes and projects.
• Practice social distancing procedures
• Place a contingency plan in the event of an emergency.

For strata owners and residents, don’t ever be afraid to request information or clarification regarding procedures, updates or changes.

Good strata managers should update effectively, but strata owners and residents also have a duty to be responsive.

Since the Coronavirus pandemic has occurred, the Australian government has been very good at updating and keeping track of the situation. You can find out more here: https://www.health.gov.au.

This is an excellent website to view, not just during this time, but in the future, when you need information on handling other outbreaks or illnesses.

We each have our part to play in helping Australian life return to normal. We aim to work through this together. The information expressed is not only handy to know for the future, but also practical for handling all kinds of health and safety issues.

If you require more information or handy tips regarding keeping people updated, how to handle illness or ways to help educate, then contact our friendly and knowledgeable team at 1300 033 947.

Being the foremost strata management company in Sydney, we are proud to help wherever we can.

As the weather shifts, you may notice more debris falling into your gutters. Clogged gutters can cause water damage, irrigation problems and future building issues.

It is essential that all areas of your strata complex, from the ground to the roof, are well-maintained.

In this article, we will cover some important things to consider when it comes to gutters and other related aspects of strata maintenance.

Ill-managed strata properties are a common problem – and the results are costly. Even the tiniest issues that are not dealt with can lead to further problems. This is especially true in retirement village strata management where residents may not be in the physical position to mitigate the structural problems.

Who should fix it?

Where does the responsibility fall? Is it on residents, owners or strata managers?

Well, it depends.

If the building is a privately-owned lot, then typically, the responsibility falls to the owners. This may differ from strata complex to complex. This is because not all strata are the same.

But if you notice a gutter dilemma, it is wise to notify your landlord and they can advise the next steps.

If the building is managed by a comprehensive strata management service provider, such as Strata & Co., then organising to resolve the issue is straightforward. It is just a matter of detailing a request to our friendly team, and we can assist in organising the necessary steps. Not all strata services provide this level of care, but we aren’t like other services.

Why can’t I fix it myself?

Oftentimes, when residents see a fault, it can be easy for them to think “I’ll just fix that myself.”

There is nothing inherently wrong with this, except for when something goes wrong, and then the blame needs to be set. Most people are happy to do it themselves unless they end up with bad results or get hurt.

When it comes to strata buildings, it is always best to be sure as to who is supposed to fix or clean the gutters. This is because if a resident attempts to do it and gets hurt, the blame could come back to bite you. Having professionals handle the necessary repairs is advantageous unless they fall under the individual residents’ responsibility.

Once again, we at Strata & Co. can assist in helping you understand the legalities of managing strata as well as the responsibility of the residents, owners and managers. This ensures proper processes are in place, which guarantees safety and security.

Benefits of comprehensive strata management

We cannot stress enough the advantage of having proactive strata managers looking after your property. Whether it is commercial, residential or community strata management, an experienced and local team can help navigate the busy world of strata.

Strata management companies that specialise in a wide variety of services can save you a lot of time and money as you don’t have to worry about seeking multiple channels to get stuff done. Your strata manager will act as the funnel for your various needs.

If you require strata management or are looking for a change, then contact our friendly and qualified team at 1300 033 947. Our vibrant team is ready and willing to assist.

We are all celebrating the much-needed rain that is befalling Australia. Our dams are starting to fill again and some fires are being quenched.

But with the rain comes the potential for strata buildings to experience water damage.

With this said, it is important to have up-to-date maintenance and repairs to ensure your strata complex is water-tight and free from damage.

Improper strata management in Sydney can lead to extreme water damage. This can impact your personal belongings and safety.

In this article, we discuss some common aspects of water damage and how expert strata management companies deal with these issues.

Common aspects of water damage

Any property that has communal use or multiple tenants means the responsibility of resolving issues can become confusing at times.

Some of the most common examples of water damage are listed below:

• Plumbing
  • Leaking pipes, broken or rusted taps – this leads to roof, floor or wall damage.
• Roof leakage
  • Shifted tiles/shingling or damaged ceilings.
• Mould or rot
  • Often caused by water seepage that is not dealt with. Can pose health risks, especially to asthma sufferers.
• Electrical issues
  • Water that seeps into walls and damages power sockets or wires.
• Foundation damage
  • Water that seeps through can cause concrete cracks and disrupt the foundation.
• Faulty repairs
  • Having an issue repaired falsely or improperly can lead to ongoing or escalated damage.

Water damage accounts for some of the most common strata insurance claims. And it can be difficult to pinpoint where it originates from.

We have written an article that explains the causes and specific responsibility surrounding water damage in more detail. Read it here.

How strata managers deal with water damage

Effective strata management will mitigate the potential of water damage by having an efficient and practical maintenance plan in place.

It doesn’t make sense to just deal with the issues as they arise. It’s best to remove risks beforehand in order to avoid damage.

There are many areas of a building that require regular scheduled services and maintenance such as basement pumps, sirens, gutters, downpipes and drains. These common hotspots can be neglected by bad strata managers and then only remembered when it is too late.

Competent strata managers regularly check every area to guarantee as best as possible that the whole building is running smoothly.

Also, when issues do arise, swift action and emergency contact is an essential part of their services.

There are only a few things worse than not being able to reach your strata manager in an emergency. Or if you do reach them, you find out that they are unprepared to deal with the issue.

This can actually amplify the problem severely, especially if safety is involved.

A Little About Us

We are proud to offer the most comprehensive strata management services throughout Sydney for the guaranteed best price.

Our team are fully licensed managers that have experience with all levels of strata from commercial, residential, community and retirement. Our industry experience combined with our responsive and friendly staff make us unique strata management providers.

Get a Quote

Here at Strata & Co., we not only pride ourselves on having necessary and effective building maintenance in place with the properties we manage, but we also have a responsive team that’s always ready to assist with emergencies.

We deliver the most comprehensive strata management services in Bondi and across Sydney.

If you would like more information about what we offer or how to change strata managers, then contact our friendly team at 1300 033 947 or fill out an enquiry form here.