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Cancel your plans for Monday evening. ABC TV’s Four Corners is ripping the lid off the whole sordid business of strata exploitation in Australia and,
[See the full post at: Must-see TV – strata’s dark Underbelly exposed]The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
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I wonder will there be discussion of the one-sided Contract of Appointment used by the SCA.
I just watched this episode of 4 Corners. I am flabbergasted.
I gave up on strata 11 years ago. Bought a house. All the problems with owners, owners Corp and strata managers over 30 years of strata was enough. And the problems I experienced pales into insignificance compared to the issues covered on this programme.
I know I may not be able to manage a house in the future. But I don’t think I could do strata again. I’d like to see it fixed. Then I would reconsider.
I wonder will there be discussion of the one-sided Contract of Appointment used by the SCA.
We are trying to get attention to it and we have been very vocal about SCA and the inappropriate control they have over the industry in decreasing competition in the industry. We spoke a bit about contracts here… but there are some limitations depending on which outlet we are speaking to as to when we can name them.
That was an excellent report. 44 minutes is not enough to tell every person’s story. Linton Besser said he received thousands of stories from unhappy owners.
My past strata manager used to run the meetings as if he was in charge and the owners answered to him. An NCAT Tribunal Member explained to us that it’s the other way around: strata manager answers to the owners.
Ignorance is a problem. I know owners, who do not understand what an owners corporation is and what is its responsibility. They complain about paying levies. They think they’re claiming their levy money back if they can get a repair on their home. They don’t care whether it is common property or not.
For most of us, the apartment / villa / flat etc is the most expensive thing we own. I would urge every owner to educate themselves. The Owners Corporation Network has a lot of basic “New to Strata?” information on their web site which every owner in a strata lot should read.
The Four Corners program was an ideal way to focus light on parts of an industry that has not kept pace with community standards and the on-size-fits all approach is part of the problem. My experience dating back to 1976 is that strata owners are treated poorly even with open aggression by strata managers and in the current spotlight insurance companies also take their clients on a take it or leave it basis. Strata owners are clearly at a disadvantage and start managers have weaponised parts of the legislation to suit their business model. This must change.
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