Forum Replies Created
-
Replies
-
Hi Jimmy, I’m wondering if I’ll still be able to hold an EGM next month when our strata contract runs out. We usually have our meetings in the outdoor car park (plenty of social-distancing available) but it might be considered a “gathering of more than 2 people” … or is it more like an essential job where rules don’t apply? (certainly feels like work).
On latest government advice, I think we can still run it if we agree to cut each other’s hair during the meeting.
🤔
Same thing happened at our last AGM, only a few owners received the new agreement. Luckily, those that didn’t spoke up and the SM was smart enough not to push it further and withdrew the motion. It was still 5 months until contract end, so I guess he was trying to see if he could push it through with little examination. 2 months later and some owners have still not received it. I think his days are numbered just like Dru’s experience above.
Have to say, we have the same annoyance here too. Only 12 units here, and half of us accept notices by email but the printing cost exceeds $1k per year. You could ask them to itemise it in more detail but if they even agreed to do that, they would then charge you for the time of coming up with (making up?) those details … and it might still be difficult to assess.
Probably worth challenging them by asking how the figure was arrived at. At least they will know you’re watching them?
Another way to reduce phone contact/costs, as our own strata manager points out, is that the strata committee should use one of its position holders as the single point of contact to the strata manager on committee decisions/matters. Then they don’t get extra calls and potential variations on what the committee has decided from multiple members that they then need to call and cross-check between.
That’s not to say they’re not gouging fees from you … but it might be less easy to hide the gouging if you reduce the costs as much as possible.
In the first instance, as David said, you can at least ask what the cost covers which will also let them know you’re watching them.
We have the same issue in Harris Park. Neighbour in the block opposite feeds a dozen stray cats (many look sickly, some with broken tail) and several unoccupied old houses in this suburb (awaiting knock-down for more flat blocks to come) provide great breeding grounds for each next generation of the poor things.
Unfortunately he impact of cats is not limited to rats and includes native birds, possums, lizards etc.
Parramatta Council, like others, are too short-sighted to intervene. A Trap/Neuter/Release program would stop the cycle but they’ll only rent you a trap and have each one killed if you deliver it (bit too extreme for me). I checked a bunch of local organisations but none have got money for TNR anymore.
PS: I like cats, I’ve got a RSPCA rescued/neutered one but it will never see the outdoors. It’s irresponsible to let them roam and hopefully will be illegal nationwide soon (I think some local governments around the country have already done so?).
It’s just a sad situation.