Frans

Millie,

Maybe yesterday!

Thank you.

F

@Cosmo said:
Hi Frans, in your original post you said there were 4 units in the strata and “We are the only owners who know anything about Strata etc.  The others do NOT want to know anything, could not care a hoot and refuse to discuss anything to do with Strata whatsoever.”  

And then in your most recent post “SM + OC minus us = disaster”. 

Both of your comments appear to be a common occurrence in strata.  Are you on the executive? Does your OC have an executive? Getting on the executive shouldn’t be that difficult if the other owners are disinterested.

My only other comment would be with only 4 units and the others not wanting to know, what are the chances of you persuading a couple of the other owners on the issues before meetings/votes etc.  You need to pick issues where you can explain the benefits to the others disinterested owners of the benefits of what you propose.  

Good Luck

Hi Cosmo,

Hi Cosmo,

Thank you for your suggestion.  This advice would appear to be simple task in a Strata where the members are responsive. Not-one is willing to speak about Strata matters and that’s that!  In fact, one owner-occupier told us that she didn’t want to pay any levies, didn’t know what a levy was, what a levy was for and she couldn’t see any reason to pay anyone anything as she minded her own business.  This lack of (?) ‘interest’ despite being given all information available.

We wrote to the local Office Fair Trading.  Initially the person who was looking after our problem was sympathetic towards our concerns, however when told the SM’s name & Company the attitude changed and we’ve heard nil since; that’s some 6 months ago.  (Small community where everyone ‘knows’ everyone). As we see it, the only option now is to write to NSW Govt. Representative of the Office Fair Trading. 

We cannot afford to move…..

ps. I believe that the SM is being very deliberate in her actions.  She is aware that the others here either don’t know or care.  She receives 15% commission from two insurance companies; we had to ask her for a disclaimer regarding these commissions when we moved in here 2 years ago.  SM provided only us with that information.  We informed the other owners there was no response whatsoever. SM does collect 15% commission x 2; collects our annual fee for her (?) services, collects 4 levies & pays Bldg. Ins. when she remembers.

We see no end to this situation.  Voting does not happen….a person is chosen by SM to be Secretary to liaise with the other 3….too old now to go any further.This Strata future looks bleak!

JimmyT,

Thank you for your advice. How do we ensure that next SM belongs to Strata Community Australia?  Feeling frantic. Will hand-deliver letter to Fair Trading Thursday a.m.  Hopefully they can advise how to go about finding replacement SMA.

Other two Lot owners seem disinterested!  4th Lot owner in WA, non-contactable.

Phoned Strata Company this morning to speak to SM, told that she is “AWAY”; that they are very busy having just returned from 2/52 holiday. They have several SM’s who ‘look’ after their patch; that they do not have to advise ‘anything’ in writing e.g. next AGM,Insurance or Levy. They don’t do ‘things’ that way. When pressed re: Bldg. Insurance being overdue, told that it was paid by due date but, refused to supply proof.  Query re: overdue Levy told that she did not know about that.  Query re: AGM, told that we, the Lot Owners, choose the date & time when they are not too busy.  Query re: SM’s Licence exp. 16.12.2012, told that she holds currrent Licence, however, refused to supply proof. Then loudly informed that conversation finished, too busy to continue. Must feel very challenged!

*Cosmo, Self-run is the obvious choice, however, horns of a dilemma here..

@#$%^&* Frans