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.

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Your dream pool as a strata manager is not impossible to obtain but will require balance and attention to detail. Keep reading below to learn more about how residential or community strata management can deal with common pool issues.

How strata companies in Sydney can ensure proper pool installation

The first step when avoiding pool trouble is always in the installation process.

When researching for a suitable pool installation company, look for a team with experience, reputable reviews and previous installation projects. Many small-scale pool installation companies may be experienced in installing backyard pools, but not in a community/high-rise residential setting.

It’s important to consider the safety regulations when planning and building your common pool and pool area. Check your strata by-laws to ensure you follow all local and legal safety guidelines for an indoor or outdoor pool.

Some of the things often considered for these projects include:

• Safety signage
• Depth indication
• Ladders and steps
• Pool heating equipment safely installed
• Pool protection when not in use and winter seasons
• Regular water quality checks
• Level surfaces and tiling

Pools could be an immense liability and a safety hazard if not properly installed and looked after. It’s extremely important to be diligent and make sure your occupants are safe in every way when using the common pool area.

Pool maintenance tips for strata management in Sydney

Green water may be the most common pool issue for pool owners worldwide. With a large collection of water such as a pool, you’re bound to face natural microscopic growth as water sustains life. Your pool isn’t much different from any lake or dam. What makes all the difference is maintenance and treatment.

Waking up to a lovely shaded green pool is most likely due to a fresh crop of algae growing in the water. You’ve most likely skipped testing your pool and the chlorine levels have dropped below what is needed to prevent algae growth.

This issue has a fairly easy solution which can be done in 4 steps:

1. Test the water to confirm the cause
2. Shock your pool to kill the algae
3. Clean the walls and surfaces
4. Vacuum your pool to remove dead algae

The pool won’t be available for use until the treatment process is complete, so make sure you monitor your pool’s chlorine levels regularly.

On the other hand, some strata managers or pool maintainers can be lazy and do a shortcut fix instead. Although the idea of dumping an insane amount of chorine into pools at one time seems like less effort, doing so can pose a health risk to people.

The only way to keep a pool clean is by consistent monitoring and regulated doses of chemicals.

If you see debris build-up in your pool, your filter probably needs a thorough clean.

Your pool water should be clear to the point where you can see the bottom of the pool. If it’s looking murky, the pH levels of the water may be off although this isn’t hard to fix either.

Likewise with cloudy water, which is usually a result of a build-up of bacteria, test the water to identify the cause and treat accordingly with the right chemicals and the right amount to avoid irritation after swimming,

For more enquiries or assistance regarding proper strata property management, visit our website today or call on 1300 033 947.

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When a property is up for rent, you’ll want to get it off the market as quick as possible. But how? You have to know what renters are looking for when it comes to attracting potential tenants to your strata-based property. This way, you can meet their expectations.

Discover what exactly it is renters want within a strata property by reading below.

Reliable and responsive strata management and property managers

When securing and maintaining a long-term tenant, one of the most substantial things a resident will want is a quality strata manager and property manager that will assist when in need.

Playing different roles, both a strata manager and property manager work towards satisfying and keeping tenants happy. A reliable property manager is necessary as you must have someone on standby, ensuring your specific estate is running smoothly.

But a must-have for the overall building is an attentive strata manager. Along with the other property owners in the building or complex, you will want to ensure your community has responsive strata that provide quick turn-around and proactive management.

A potential renter can tell this by the state and condition of a building and property. If you require comprehensive strata management services in Sydney, then give Strata & Co. a call. We can help guide you to a better environment that will attract new tenants.

Clean common areas

When looking at a strata property, one of the essential things to a renter is the state of the common areas and what facilities the building offers.

Some renters will favour properties that feature and access particular facilities, such as a pool or gym, for more modern buildings. While many don’t necessarily require flashy common areas like these, they do expect any form of common areas to be well-kept and maintained.

Potential renters will notice dirty areas, smelly odours, graffiti, litter and poor paint jobs and consider this when applying for a property. The expected common areas they’ll care to see and investigate include shared gardens, rooftops, laundry rooms, stairwells and entryways.

If your common areas aren’t clean or they appear run-down, it is encouraged you bring this up at your next strata meeting or contact your strata manager directly.

Monitored and fair car parking

One of the most significant factors to tenants is the parking status. While this is considered at any property, it is most noticeable for strata properties like apartments, duplexes and flats.

What renters want is designated parking with the potential of street or guest parking when they invite people. This is important to highly trafficked suburbs such as those around the city and Eastern Suburbs.

While many strata management companies in Bondi, Coogee and similar surrounding suburbs don’t have a lot of room to offer, they can work with the spaces they have. This includes monitoring existing parking and fairly divvying spots between tenants and ensuring designated parking is being followed by all building occupants.

If your current parking areas are not well monitored or organised, this is something you can discuss at your upcoming strata meeting or by contacting your manager.

Now you know some of the top thing’s renters are looking for in a Sydney strata property, make sure you and your building are ticking all the boxes!

For a strata company that can provide a competitively priced and guaranteed service, contact Strata & Co. We offer a stress-free comprehensive strata scheme that uses expert strata management, corporate body management, and other strata related services.

To learn more about what we can do for your building or community, give us a call on 1300 033 947.

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Who deals with a broken step in a shared area, or who takes care of a broken door or lock or leaking pipe?

Depending on the location and nature of the maintenance query, different parties will need to take action respectively. Knowing the bounds of your proprietary authority is essential. This is for a less confusing exchange between you, your tenants and all other property groups involved.

The main parties normally concerned with general maintenance matters are the property and strata managers.

Keep reading below to learn more about the differences in these roles. 

Strata management overview

A strata manager is a company that manages an apartment block or commercial building on behalf of all the individual owners in that block.

They work in the owners’ collective interest and manage everything from legal compliance to building maintenance and financial administration. Strata managers oversee the day-to-day management of the complex.

Strata managers are mainly responsible for administration, finance and community. Some specific duties of a strata manager include:

• Organise maintenance of common areas such as foyers, hallways and gardens
• Facilitate urgent repairs of the building’s common areas
• Send out levy notices and collect levies
• Ensure the building complies with Work Health & Safety regulations
• Set dates for strata meetings like the annual general meeting, executive committee meetings and emergency meetings
• Compile, write and distribute notices and meeting minutes
• Pay invoices and budget for costs relating to the building’s common areas
• Mediate disputes between residents or owners and the Executive Committee

Property management overview

 A property manager is commonly thought of as the owner of the unit/building. In some cases, this is true. But property managers specifically are hired to help market the unit, residential or commercial space. They oversee the upkeep and maintenance of a single property lot.

They are the middleman between the landlord and the tenant. And they are responsible for finding a suitable tenant, collecting the rent and for arranging maintenance on the inside of the apartment. Some specific tasks of a property manager include:

• Ensure rent is paid on time and suggest when the rent should be reviewed
• Act as the main point of contact for the tenant and the in-between go-to for tenants and landlords
• Carry out open homes
• Vet potential tenants
• Facilitate routine inspections of the property
• Organise maintenance of the property
• Organise emergency repairs of the property
• Prepare tenancy contracts and related administration
• Advice on how to grow and manage the property portfolio 

How to know who is responsible?

To put it simply, anything outside of the four walls of the individual property is normally in the hands of the strata. Often, in complex situations such as a compound leak that span over various properties, or flooding more than the individual lot, it’s ideal can call for the strata’s attention.

Most property management groups have a list of scenarios and cases which outline the specific roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved. This typically includes the maintenance, repair and management of properties in a strata scheme.

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.

At Strata & Co. we provide all forms of strata management services. In fact, we are the only company in Australia that offers the range of services we do! Our experts specialise in all levels giving us a unique approach to strata management.

To get premium strata services today, call us now on 1300 033 947.

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Often, the strata management service or the community does not understand what the responsibilities are for different organisational groups that inhabit, manage or own the building at hand.

Don’t be misinformed or kept in the dark! Strata corporations must understand their duties, roles and responsibilities.

Having a clear list of duties and accountabilities during emergencies and disasters help avoid blame and confusion and, in severe cases, legal action.

Keep reading to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of strata management in general disaster cases.

Common strata disasters

Sydney’s weather can be unpredictable, but so can residents!

Sometimes, Sydney’s intense summer sun can impact the safety of your building. There instances when residents can throw something flammable in the communal skip bin and cause a fire hazard.

Even with adequate waterproofing, flooding, leaking, pipe bursts, and mould can damage your property.

Still, residents can fall asleep with the bathtub running or flood areas that generally shouldn’t get wet.

Strata management services deal with minor and major incidents frequently.

Occasionally, blame can mistakenly fall on strata managers. This is due to misunderstanding in the duties and responsibilities of the various roles involved when dealing with disaster management.

Some of the most common disaster scenarios that cause confusion in responsibilities are fire hazards, flooding and DIY disasters.

Residents in the community can volunteer to “fix” or “improve” an aspect of your building in the common areas or gardens.

If they are injured or damage the property further in this situation, there could be confusion about who is responsible.

Put simply, a strata manager’s role is to guarantee that the building is insured, compliant with local laws, and is being maintained. They also make certain that the properties’ administration is up-to-date and accurate.

To better understand the duties of a strata manager, read our blog here.

What are the responsibilities of strata in disaster scenarios?

Every situation is different and will need to be examined thoroughly at the time of the incident.

Generally speaking, all strata-title properties, including residential buildings, are required to carry out fire safety inspections annually.

This inspection ensures evacuation routes are clear of obstructions and that all fire-safety installations are tested and in working order.

In commercial strata settings, typical safety measures include:

• Evacuation signage
• Fire and evacuation plans
• Emergency safety plans
• Staff training

These same safety procedures can be applied to a residential building if the owners’ committee believes it’s a good idea and that it would get co-operation from the lot owners.

A fire and evacuation plan lays out the roles, responsibilities and required actions for a building’s key personnel, employees and tenants. It should be simple, effective and generic in nature.

Strata buildings are complex with water pipes, wiring, and ducts hidden in walls, floors, and roof spaces to make the property safe and aesthetically appealing.

But when there’s a leak, who pays for the water damage?

It can be challenging to determine the source of a leak and thus, where the responsibility lies.

Where water ingress can be traced to common property, the strata should rectify it. This often cannot be determined without the assessment of a plumber, engineer or other professional.

Both the strata and the lot owners have responsibilities to maintain their respective parts of the complex in good condition. Lot owners and tenants should be vigilant about even minor-seeming things like a dripping tap.

Strata management should have a proactive maintenance plan in place so water ingress can be addressed before they become a problem and cause any real water damage or flooding.

It is common in resident strata complexes for occupants to volunteer their services for odd jobs around the property.

However, what can seem like a harmless money-saving solution can be the cause of problematic insurance issues when not managed correctly.

Before using volunteer services, strata management needs to make sure residents, and any other volunteers are fully informed of what is covered under their insurance policies.

There are many incidents reported that involve well-intentioned volunteers not being covered for an accident or injury caused by carrying out works due to strata insurance policies, which generally work to exclude volunteer work.

To summarise, get a written request from the resident, confirm the volunteer work is recorded and make sure there is no payment of any kind.

At Strata & Co, we believe in “Strata made Simple”, with a quick 24-hr enquiry turnaround and the best strata management services in Sydney guaranteed.

Call Strata & Co today on 1300 033 947 to talk about your strata management needs.

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If so, it’s likely that you often receive messages or announcements from your strata management company.

Although residents and tenants may get letters and see notices, many people do not understand the purpose of a strata management company.

This can be especially true if they also have a property manager for their space.

A strata management company is critical for shared properties with many units.

It makes for a more seamless experience. And also provides those who occupy the building with a more enjoyable and streamlined community.

Do you want to learn more about what a strata company is and what its role is? Keep reading below!

What is a strata manager company?

A strata management company is a team comprised of managers responsible for properties with multiple residential or commercial spaces. This includes those in apartments, units and complexes.

Unlike a property manager, who is responsible for a single property, strata companies are accountable for the entire group rather than an individual estate.

Generally, a property manager for an apartment will go to the building’s strata for issues related to strata management services.

What does a strata manager company do?

A strata company covers many roles, which can vary depending on the strata company you are under.

With multiple strata companies around Sydney, it is important to know who covers your building/complex.

This will help you when you need to refer or contact them about their services.

Typical day-to-day categorical tasks that strata managers are responsible for include administration, financial and social tasks. This includes being responsible for:

• Ensuring community properties comply with legal and insurance policies
• Staying on top of general ground maintenance
• Managing administrative duties

When you have Strata & Co. as your strata company, we take a holistic approach to your property with our professional management.

Upstanding with all laws and regulations, we are prepared to answer all of your questions and help you understand legal jargon about your complex.

Situations that require you to contact your strata manager

When living in a strata community, some situations and events will require you to reach out and get assistance from your strata manager company.

Common situations that require your strata company include community-based cases like:

• Planning a building-involved event for all residents
• Requiring neighbour dispute mediation
• Reviewing essential building services (i.e., fire safety)

On top of community situations, your strata manager generally is the contact for:

• Enquiries on joint communal facilities such as a pool or courtyard
• Repair and maintenance needs on communal areas of the property
• The organisation of access and security services

These are not the limitations of a strata company’s role but just some common examples that they are often required for.

For more extensive detail on the duties of a strata manager, read on our blog here.

Looking for a more comprehensive and responsive strata manager? Come to Strata & Co.! Local to the Sydney area, we provide a convenient one-stop-shop for all your strata needs with our reliable and efficient services.

For more on our services or to see how we can help you with our full management strata services, give us a call on 1300 033 947.

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Since then, the population of families with children in strata schemes has increased. Awareness of child safety is a notable pressing matter for residents, building owners and the strata management team alike.

Why do families choose strata?

Families choose strata complexes for several reasons, mainly for convenience.

Apartments may be closer to the city or school and work. The buildings are usually low maintenance for residents, and the cost of utilities and standard amenities is reduced.

With all the benefits and inclusions of living in a strata scheme, child safety is always a persevering topic of conversation.

Regardless of the building’s state – new or old, large or small – additional safety concerns should always be considered. By-laws are set in place to minimize danger and damage for residents, especially children.

By-laws and rules differ between the strata schemes available. Some properties may be more childproofed than others. 

Still, if residents’ children could be in the way of harm, it’s always a significant issue to address as soon as possible to avoid potential injury or lawsuits.

What spaces in the building should strata management services childproof?

• Pools and ponds

Large or small bodies of water pose a significant risk for children to fall into. Pools and ponds should be fenced or locked. They should also have an expert regularly check the latch if it is in working condition.

Children are crafty, often more than we like. Check and remove branches, bins or any objects they could use to climb over fencing into a pool area.

Pool furniture, such as deck chairs or tables, that can be dragged easily to be used to climb over fencing, should be secured.

Proper signage in and around the pool or pond area should be displayed where everyone can see them. 

These should clearly indicate the rules and properties of the water for safety reasons, such as depth, restrictions and the like.

It is also important to note the chlorine count and water temperature as children can be affected more adversely than adults if the water is not balanced. 

It is recommended to bring in an expert to test the chlorine and monitor it frequently so thatn your residents have a guarantee of safety.

• Balconies

In the warmer months, safety precautions become increasingly important for those with balconies. 

People are more inclined to leave windows and doors open, creating potential devastating situations with childrearing exploring parts of the balcony they shouldn’t.

It should be frequently communicated by poster, email or newsletter that residents should never let their children play on balconies without supervision.

All plants, boxes, tables and objects that could be used for climbing should be removed from the edge of the balcony.

The balcony doors should be locked when not in use to prevent children from accessing the area unattended.

Any maintenance concerns should be reported to strata management as soon as possible and be dealt with promptly. Nobody wants any children’s lives at risk from falling.

• Windows

Apart from balconies, the other places children have a high risk of injury are windows. 

Many unfortunate parents have suffered a devastating loss from leaving a window open with an unattended child.

Since 2013, there have been several measures set in place by the NSW Government to protect young children’s lives from falling out windows. 

According to them, “Windows that can be opened must have safety devices fitted to allow window openings to be locked at 12.5cm. This applies to windows that are less than 1.7 metres above the floor on the inside of the house or dwelling, and Windows that have a fall of 2 metres or more from the outside to the surface below. Window safety devices must be able to resist an outward force of 250N (about 25kg).”

Keep climbable furniture away from windows and make sure the widow’s security locks are working and can’t open past 12.5cm. 

Do not rely on flyscreens to protect children from falling. They keep the bugs out but can’t keep your children in. Allow a professional to install proper safety screens.

• Driveways and Carparks

Driveways and parks in strata complexes can be very dangerous for children. Even children under supervision can, in seconds, run out in front of a car and be injured.

Ensure outdoor activities are allowed in correspondence with the local by-laws—set up signage to indicate what is not permitted, such as skateboarding, rollerblading, biking etc. 

The signage should also suggest that children must always be supervised and a speed limit.

Residents should never speed in a strata complex and should always thoroughly check their mirrors when reversing.

Safety measure is set in place to protect the lives of a strata’s residents. 

It is important to enforce these rules and remind residents of the strata’s safety precautions. Nobody wants an accident to happen or face a lawsuit for potentially devastating situations.For expert strata management in Baulkham hills, contact Strata & Co today on 1300 033 947. Your resident’s safety is in our best interest!

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While the holiday season is an exciting time for many, it can also be not-so-great for others in your apartment building. 

Do you live in a residential strata community? You must maintain the peace and be considerate of your neighbours!

As a full-service strata management service in Sydney, we find that the best way to achieve a seamless strata community during the next few weeks is to be mindful of others in your complex.

Not sure how you can achieve this? Read our tips below!

Hold a strata community end of year party

It is always an excellent idea to build rapport between your neighbours by hosting a communal party. 

This is a great opportunity to bring everyone together and a great excuse to celebrate and be merry! You can organise this by speaking to your building manager or committee if you have one. 

Depending on the size of your building, you can include the entire complex. For a smaller, more intimate gathering, you can keep it to the neighbours on your floor.

This is a good way to bond and get to know fellow residents in your strata. It is also a thoughtful idea for those who don’t have anyone to celebrate it with, giving them a way to celebrate and feel included.

To spread the news of the event, you can post in a shared social media group, hang posters or drop mailouts in the letterboxes. Word of mouth is also sufficient. 

Play some music and ask people to bring their own drinks and snacks and possibly seats and you should be sorted!

Depending on the group size, you could host this in the biggest apartment between the group or the building’s communal garden or rooftop area. Just make sure you all clean up after yourselves once done!

Be mindful about your celebrations

Are you hosting family or friends this holiday season? No matter the celebration, you’ll want to make sure you are a good neighbour by keeping other tenants in mind.

Not all your neighbours celebrate the same holidays. With a diverse mix of religions and cultures celebrated in Sydney, it is important you do not offend your neighbours. Keeping peace and being respectful is key!

While it is all good and well to celebrate and have a party or gathering (assuming social distancing restrictions are followed), you should be aware of your surroundings. This includes keeping your volume to a certain level. 

From pumping music to general voice levels, you should ensure noise restrictions are followed. The last thing you want to do is disturb your neighbour with a sleeping newborn!

Requesting your guests to keep away from private parking spots is also important. They should not be inconveniencing your neighbours! Parking on the street or in the visitors parking spaces if you have any available should suffice.

It would help if you also gave your surrounding neighbours a heads up. This will keep them informed and will have them expecting noise. Plus, if they have any requests, you have time to make a compromise before your celebrations begin.

Also, letting your neighbours know will help with your security. By keeping them aware of when you’ll be celebrating and having guests over, they’ll be able to know when things look or don’t look suspicious.

Make peace and help your neighbours

By providing our strata management services to residential buildings across Sydney, we know how important it is for those who may have previously had issues with neighbours to take advantage of this time of year to make peace.

Whether you take over homemade goodies as an olive branch or leave them a greeting card, this could be a great way to mend any misunderstandings and to start new. 

Plus, many people are in a better mood when off work and celebrating. Take advantage of the holiday high and catch your neighbours when they are in their best mood. This is your chance to apologise for any previous misunderstandings.

But while it may be a cheery time for some, it can be stressful for others. 

It is important to remember this and look out for signs of those who may not be in a good headspace. If you do notice someone who may need help, there are a few things you can do to help.

Simply smiling and greeting them can make their day. Providing them with assistance during your time off through simple household chores or errands like getting their mail can also be a big help. 

For that festive touch, you could always gift them a small present or dish if you notice they are lonely too. If you have the room and feel comfortable, you could always invite them to your celebrations!

Have any questions about strata this holiday? Give your strata manager a call on 1300 033 947! We are always willing to assist our clients with any enquiries.

From the entire team at Strata & Co., we would like to wish all our clients a safe and happy holiday season. See you in the new year!

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Graffiti can be beautiful when done by an approved professional. Unfortunately, some are offensive and can be unsightly on a building.

It’s common for graffiti artists to vandalise an area to claim, “fame value”. The more visible and dangerous the painted work is, the more “fame value” the graffitist acquires.

Without the consent of the property owner, graffiti is considered vandalism and is defacing the property, which is illegal. Most councils have banned random graffiti, yet it can still be seen in many places that would be better off without it.

Keep reading to learn more about graffiti and its impact on strata companies in Sydney.

How graffiti impacts strata management in Sydney

When it comes to problems in general, prevention is better than scouring for a solution. Hence, when graffiti is a problem, preventing vandalism is the ideal solution.

Your building is the face of your company; it’s the first thing people see upon entering your premises, and the only thing non-occupants see from the exterior. You wouldn’t want the only encounter potential tenants or clients have with your company to be a defaced exterior.

Vandalism lowers the property value due to the lack of curb appeal. Some graffiti tags can be offensive and leave people feeling emotionally distressed, especially near or on their homes.

Keeping a building clean and safe from graffiti is one of the challenges in strata management in Sydney.

If graffiti is consistently undealt with some tenants may even vacate because of the negative implications undealt with graffiti has.

The longer graffiti is on display or around your property, the greater the reward for the graffitist which means that location will probably be targeted again. Undealt with graffiti promotes new graffiti.

This is the reason why you’ll want to remove any graffiti markings as soon as possible. It is vital to keep your building well-maintained and clean to encourage people to look after and respect your property instead of misusing it.

Identifying target areas isn’t that difficult. Look out for large blank smooth walls, elevated positions that are highly visible and areas obscured from view.

Easy solutions to your graffiti problem

It is crucial to remove any graffiti markings as soon as possible. Hiring a professional cleaning service to pressure wash the area will do the trick. The longer graffiti stays up, the more enticed and tempted other graffitists can be.

Removing graffiti is only visually fixing the problem, addressing the root of the issue may take extra steps to prevent further defacing and vandalism. Painting your building’s walls with darker colours instead of a lighter one can prevent graffitists from marking up your property.

Lighter colours provide a fresh canvas for the vandals, which is why it is important to remove every potential space they can target.

Avoiding soft texture walls and having rough, uneven textures will be harder to draw and paint on. You can also buy and cover your walls with an anti-graffiti coating to prevent these markings being made.

Another practical solution to your graffiti problem is to plant bushes and trees near walls. This makes accessibility difficult, especially if the bushes have thorns or spikes.

Finally, store away unused equipment such as rubbish bins. These items are sometimes used as climbing structures to paint or draw in typically hard-to-reach areas.

Put up zero-graffiti tolerance signs to warn the vandals that you will call the authorities if they vandalise your property. Putting up sufficient lighting and cameras will also fend off the graffiti culprits, as it will be easier to be noticed and caught.

Considering approved graffiti

In a city like Sydney, graffiti can be a unique characteristic of the city, even attracting tourists.

Often if the surrounding area has been graffitied, it’s better to call in a professional to paint on your walls. It can create an opportunity for your property to blend into the environment and form part of the unique culture in that particular area.

Painting over a blank space may prevent a vandal from defacing that area. When done by a professional, you can always request relevant artwork that will improve the curb appeal of your building.

If your property can pull off the “graffiti-look”, it is worth looking into hiring a professional graffiti artist to come and do your walls.

Looking to effectively deal with graffiti? A strata manager can function as a reliable point of contact for repairs relating to graffiti and vandalism on common property. To talk about professional strata management services, call Strata & Co. today on 1300 033 947 to find out more about strata management in Sydney.

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This is because you make decisions to improve the value and sustainability of your strata.

Choosing to establish a community garden in a strata complex is an exceptional way to inspire a sense of health and community.

With hundreds of features and configurations to choose from, your strata complex will be a captivating community hub.

How a community garden benefits your strata

Keeping all your residents satisfied and looking after the welfare of your property can seem challenging at times. By building a community garden, you are creating an environment that is positive and engaging for everyone.

Community gardens encourage people to gain practical skills and learn more about each other. It also promotes healthy social interaction all the while constructing a deep sense of unity.

According to Grow Journey, having a garden in your strata can improve your investment return, increase the value of your property, reduce energy waste and improve the physical and mental health of the residents.

Community gardens do more than just provide aesthetic comfort. They help improve the air and soil quality, preserve the environment and biodiversity of plants and conductively reduce the impact of waste by composting.

Poor nutrition may be a commonly faced challenge in a low-income community. Therefore, community gardens positioned in such a neighbourhood promote a healthy lifestyle and act to reduce poor nutrition habits.

Gardens in urban areas are positively correlated with decreased crime rates, says Greenleaf Communities.

Alongside reduced crime rates, having community gardens in strata in urban areas advocate environmental education and welfare further.

Knowledge acquired when learning about nature and the environment in residential or commercial strata can be taken home or to businesses and schools, thus improving the education system in Sydney.

As one of the leading strata management companies in Sydney, we encourage community gardens as we understand that building community gardens can improve the development and well-being of the greater local community.

Variations in community gardens for residential, commercial and community strata

There are substantial differences when catering to residential, commercial or community strata. A communal garden can have varying impacts on the strata and surrounding community.

There are a variety of types of garden development to choose from, including plot gardens, cooperative gardens, youth gardens, entrepreneurial market gardens and therapeutic gardens. Each of these serve a different purpose and are comprised of assorted elements.

• Plot and therapeutic gardens

This type is ideal for residential strata. One way to build a plot garden is to subdivide the area into designated sections for households where they have autonomy on what to grow and cultivate.

Therapeutic gardens would be optimised intentionally for aesthetic purposes. You could grow plants that encourage the use of senses, such as “smell gardens”. For exotic flora and fauna, you can promote relaxation and mental health.

• Cooperative and therapeutic gardens

Cooperative and therapeutic gardens are excellent configurations for commercial strata. They focus on the community and the individual respectively.

Building and cultivating a cooperative garden in commercial strata endorses teamwork, hobbies, education and giving back to the community.

These gardens are usually sponsored and supported by organisations such as faith groups, health departments, private businesses, retirement communities, community service and much more.

Therapeutic gardens placed in commercial strata improve the mental health of the workers who occupy the building. They do this by providing a quiet, natural, green space for meal breaks.

• Youth and entrepreneurial gardens

These are perfect styles of communal gardens for community strata management to implement.

Youth gardens focus on education and development and serve as outdoor classrooms. Hands-on application and immersion in nature teach the youth about horticulture and applicable life skills from a young age.

Exposure to the outdoor environment and diversity in nature equip the current youth generation with knowledge and healthy mindsets to set up our future society to succeed.

Entrepreneurial gardens create a place for young and old to learn about the business world and pragmatically prepare themselves to step into these new environments.

You could encourage growing vegetables and herbs in slightly larger quantities to sell off to local supermarkets, making profits and supporting local businesses and organically sourced foods.

How to build and maintain a cohesive community garden

The first step when starting your community garden project as a strata manager is to decide on the location of your garden site.

Things like clean water sourcing, healthy soil, air and sunlight are environmental factors to consider.

Be sure to enquire with the landowner about any legal issues and bylaws when starting up such an initiative. You would also need to find a sponsor or source of financial support.

Secondly, you need to organise the garden. Ask yourself questions like, “What are the financial consideration for this project?”, “What would be the limitations for terminating the initiative? (vandalism, weeds, lack of participation)”.

Afterwards, you can begin promoting the community garden initiative through local marketing vessels. This helps raise awareness within the occupants of your strata complex.

Lastly, the development of your garden will take place. Be ready to plot and plan to features such as pools, water fountains, landscaping, garden sections, seating areas, BBQ areas, bathrooms and any other amenities you would require.

You also need to consider what rules and regulations to post around your community garden to maintain a clean and safe environment. Always make sure these rules comply with local laws and guidelines as well.

You could appoint community garden managers to oversee the usage and upkeep of the garden each week. Consider hiring a groundkeeper to assist your residents or occupants in keeping the new community space, clean.

The garden management team or groundkeeper can resolve any minor issues with the vegetation and communal area.

Many strata companies in Sydney are building community gardens to increase the value of land and health of the local community.

At Strata & Co., we provide professional and responsive management with personalised service to better your strata and ultimately provide good service to the community.

To learn more about our strata services and who we service, give us a call on 1300 033 947.

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