Your Strata Property With Amanda Farmer

I'm taking you inside part of my LIVE in-person presentation delivered for The City of Canada Bay Council earlier this year, sharing how and why our strata committees should be engaging in the practice of radical transparency (which shouldn't be that radical...)

Bruce Minter, long-term strata committee member, joins me as we discuss the incredible resilience required to lead a strata community. Bruce explains how he helped his community shift its collective mindset and break "the curse of low levies". He shares lessons learned from the U.S. Founding Fathers, and his unique understanding that strata "is not a jam stall at a school fete. It's a business".

Daniel Holt, strata manager, joins me, calling out the 'gaslighting' that he says has been going on in the strata management industry, with the real cost of managing a strata building hidden behind sophisticated third-party payment arrangements extending beyond insurance commissions. 

In a week during which the media continues to wage war against strata managers, Reena Van Aalst joins me to provide her point of view. We discuss: - models of remuneration for strata managers, and what Reena says needs to change - the role of Strata Community Association - the murky arrangements between other strata "professionals" and service providers, overdue for investigation, and more.

Recorded before last week's ABC news story broke, in this interview Tyrone Shandiman of the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby explains: - how a lack of informed consent around insurance broker appointments may be harming strata owners, - the commercial advantage that strata managers accepting commissions have over those who don't, - how unfair industry "standard" contracts are feeding the problem, - why we need more voices willing to speak up and share their stories, and more. If you've experienced a practice that doesn't pass the pub test, you're invited to fill in ACIL's survey here.

Allume Energy's Australian-made, world-first technology is expanding the benefits of solar power, past a building's common areas and into the homes of its occupants. Will Antsee of Allume joins me to explain how millions of apartment residents can reduce their energy bills, at a time when savings have never been more important.

Reena joins me to discuss: - who is responsible for paying the insurance excess on a claim arising from an owner’s burst flexi-hose, - meeting minutes: do our minute-takers have sufficient training? - another Tribunal win for a self-represented litigant and member of our online community.

Effective meetings are at the heart of well-functioning strata communities. Today, I’m taking a closer look at how we record the minutes of meetings, including sharing some insights on the subject drawn from my recent visit to the United States.

I’m taking you inside last Friday’s CPD Education Day, for a quick listen to part of my session on the topic of “privacy” in strata. Just as important for owners as they are for managers, the lessons of this session may surprise you. Also, get the diary out, because I’m announcing the date for our 2025 CPD Education Day. Yep! We’re an organised bunch here at YSP. 

Reena Van Aalst joins me to discuss: - why insurers are now asking whether your building has been "re-wired" or "re-plumbed" - committees that are breaching their spending restrictions - how our strata law is failing owners when it comes to privacy - the community leveraging a little-used part of the NSW legislation to ensure all levies are paid on time.

Andrew Boss of Austrata Finance joins me to unpack the new and improved “hybrid” strata loan, including greater certainty for owners at tax time, and easier administration for strata managers.

Brent Clark of Wattblock joins me to share how forward-thinking strata buildings (and savvy purchasers) can ensure they’re “keeping up with the Joneses” when it comes to sustainability infrastructure, all while avoiding the net-zero conversation AND enjoying a 12% uplift in the value of their property.

Sydney strata owner Amanda Reitzin joins me to share her recent experience in the NSW Tribunal battling nuisance smoke drift from her neighbour's balcony. Amanda shares how she made the difficult decision to litigate, including the lessons she learned along the way. You'll hear: - Amanda's realisation that the law is on your side, but it's up to you to do the hard work - how staying polite and professional at all times is key - why litigation is not about winning - how Amanda's life has changed since the Tribunal's orders. This is a must-listen for anyone involved in or considering legal proceedings.

Strata Energy Services has been leveraging the power of the collective since 2018, using "bulk buying power" to get strata buildings a better deal on their energy costs. Sally Pollard joins me to share how it all works and how you can find savings in even the most difficult financial times.

In our first podcast episode for the year, I’m sharing the 5 most popular episodes of 2023 – in case you missed them, need a recap, or are looking for a great place to start if you’re new to our world.

In this final podcast episode for 2023, Reena and I cover: an owner’s refusal to permit access to their lot, leaving the Annual Fire Safety Statement (“AFSS”) in jeopardy whether an owner with damaged blinds should call their committee’s bluff and sue over a few hundred dollars the year’s happy endings, including a surprise special event in my own building’s backyard. The pod will be back in the second week of the new year.

Nikki Jovicic of LookUpStrata joins me to share our common passion for empowering owners through strata knowledge. I answer a couple of curly questions for Nikki's website and we discuss the ripple effect of strata managers having access to quality education.

Jo Hall of Groundfloor joins me to share how our buildings can better manage parcel deliveries, even without a building manager or concierge, reducing security risks and ensuring peace of mind for residents.

NSW Strata and Property Services Commissioner John Minns joins me to discuss his priorities for the strata sector. We discuss the "number one problem" in strata, reveal precisely who is manipulating the system, why Fair Trading needs increased powers, and more.

Megan Chatterton and Leanne Habib join me to reveal just how unprepared our buildings are for emergency events - even though such events are increasingly likely. Megan is asking owners to participate in research that will assist to arm buildings with vital resources they can rely on in emergencies, and Leanne calls for legislative reform.