StrataAU

| Being a Body Corporate Manage can be quite challenging (but it is also very rewarding)

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 At any one time, within a single scheme - if you are in charge of 40 lots - that could be 80 people. Which could also mean, 80 vehicles and 80 pets! Across 10 Schemes, that could be 400 - 800 people with vehicles and pets to boot.

🧟 You might at some points within your contracted time have to be the “bad guy” because it’s your duty to follow the legislation. This could mean telling a lot owner that their request isn’t as simple as they might think it is (maybe a planned renovation has an element that needs to be voted on at a General Meeting, and the next AGM isn’t for 8 months). We dont love doing it! But we have to follow the rules as they are set out.

🗣️ You might have lot owners directing their frustrations that their levies went up at you - but the budget proposed was inflated merely to meet the needs of certain bills now being more expensive than they were last year.

📚 The legislation is hefty! The three most referred to pieces of documentation are the 1997 Act, the Standard Module and the Accommodation Module. That equated to 838 pages of legislation! And that's just the most utilised ones. There is also the Small Schemes module, the Speificfied Two-Lot module, and the Commercial module, and that's just the legislation specifically written for Body Corporate.

📝 The list goes on!

😀 But at the end of the day, its also super rewarding being able to take a really tricky sector and make it easier for the unsung heroes - the committee members! Usually an unpaid gig, they elect themselves to help the Body Corproate thrive for the good of the people.

👍 A good BC Manager will usually attract a great Committee. And that combo together will make for a fantastic and well running Body Corporate!

🚑 IF you think your Body Coroprate needs a bit of TLC - call StrataAU, we’re here to help!

☎️ 0434 748 321

SELF-MANAGED STRATA: Might save you money, but at what cost? [PART 2]

So, you live in a smaller Body Corporate Scheme. 4 lots? 6 lots? Everyone pitches in and helps with maintenance - so, why pay a Body Corporate manager? Surely it's not that hard?

Well, you might be right, you might also rue the day you actioned that thought.

Self-managing your Body Corporate Scheme might seem like a practical money-saving idea at the time. And you may be right. But if that decision is being made based on the people you have living on-site at a certain point in time, think about this:
❓ Who will be the custodian of all your official documents
❓ Who will be in charge of funds at the bank and what processes will you implement to ensure transactions are properly recorded?
❓ Who will organise the AGM? Are you aware of the legislation surrounding the completion of an AGM? The statutory motions required?
❓ Who will complete the budgets for the upcoming year?
❓ Who get the privilege of deciding the levy totals needing to be collected to meet the price rises seen across the board lately?
❓What happens if, 2 out of the 5 owners you respect so much sell their property and are replaced with newcomers that don’t share your values?

If your Body Corporate Manager is making it look like an easy job, perhaps they are just good at what they do. And if you have a Body Corporate Manager that is good at what they are doing, you are lucky! Keep them.

If your Body Corporate Manager is making your life harder than it needs to be, don't go the self-managed route. Call StrataAU, and we’ll show you what “making it look easy” feels like!

☎️ 0434 748 321

🎡 EKKA WEEK HOURS 📣

We will be closed for the Ekka Show Day public holiday tomorrow, August 16th and will remain closed until 8am Monday 21st of August.

Emails will be checked intermittently throughout this time.

Living in Queensland is pretty special. To think our winter weather rivals that of some northern hemisphere summers!

SELF-MANAGED STRATA: Might save you money, but at what cost? [PART 1]

So, you live in a smaller Body Corporate Scheme. 4 lots? 6 lots? Everyone pitches in and helps with maintenance - so, why pay a Body Corporate manager? Surely it's not that hard? Right?

Well, you might be right, you might also rue the day you actioned that.

While it may not seem like the Body Corporate Manager does much, here is some food for thought:
💡 Perhaps your manager seems like they don’t do much because they are experienced in what they do, and make it seem somewhat effortless.
💡 Perhaps, without viewing their email inbox or call history, you can't actually see what questions and queries your neighbours have emailed or called though, that require research to correctly answer.
💡 Perhaps because you aren't working in the sector, you don’t understand that your scheme is bound by the 1997 Act, a separate set of legislation set out by the module your scheme is registered under and also has specific maintenance requirements based on its format, stipulated on the structures survey plan
💡 Perhaps if you move from a Body Corporate management company - your scheme documents and operations will no longer be managed by a program designed to efficiently manage the day to day items of a Body Corporate scheme

And that's just things to consider with regards to the removal of the manager.

Keep your eyes out for Part 2: You’ve gone self-managed because your neighbours are lovely people - but some of them just sold, and your new neighbours are…interesting…

If you’r wanting to explore your options, you could look at self-managed strata, just like you could run a marathon with no shoes on.
But if you want to explore options that make your life easier - call StrataAU. We’ll sort yah.

☎️ 0434 748 321

👩‍🔧QLD: Maintenance vs Improvements What spending limits apply | LookUpStrata

⚠️ A really worthwhile watch for anyone in living in a Body Corporate or currently (or thinking) of serving on Body Corporate Committee in the future:

QLD: Maintenance vs Improvements What spending limits apply | LookUpStrata Frank Higginson from Hynes Legal joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to discuss Maintenance vs Improvements.The session highlights the significance of the...

Those pastel hues reflected in still bayside water. Who would want to live anywhere else?

Lest we forget.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

For the Fallen | Laurence Binyon

DO YOU OWN A UNIT IN A COMMUNITY TITLES SCHEME? Yes? Read on…

Whether you occupy your unit or not - if you own a unit or a “lot” in a community titles scheme, you are automatically a member of the body corporate.

The body corporate has a statutory responsibility to keep common property in a good condition. It also must administer the affairs of the body corporate in a reasonable way.

There are a range of other statutory obligations set out in the Body Corporate and Community Management Act and the related regulation modules. The overriding obligation is to act reasonably.

If you are unhappy with how your body corporate is managed but not confident enough to elect yourself for a committee role - the next best thing is researching and submitting a motion to appoint a new Body Corporate Manager.

While a Body Corporate Manager can’t make decisions on behalf of a Body Corporate or their elected committee, they can guide the committee and supply the correct legislative frame work in which to effect positive change for your community.

If you’d like to see what’s out there for you and your Body Corporate - shoot us an email and request a quote!

| Info in bio |

DID YOU KNOW | 𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘬𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘯

Whether you are a local or have only visited the Bayside a couple of times, you would have seen the three pillar sculpture. But did you know anything else about this permanent part of the Wynnum foreshore?

Created by local-to-Brisbane-artist, Stephen Newton - his artists statement reads as follows:

𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘬𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘯

Symbolising the indigenous, non-indigenous and natural history of the Moreton Bay region, and commemorating the original pier built in 1882. Bulka Booangun means calling the dolphins, a reciprocal fishing practice used by the local Quandamooka people.

The more you know huh?

HAPPY EASTER | From StrataAU to you!

The team would like to wish you a lovely Easter long weekend.

We will be out of office from 5:30pm Thursday 6th of April and will return 8am Tuesday 11th of April.

For urgent matters, please call 0434748321

Have a safe holiday, everyone.

“Natalie was very professional and was able to help us immensely”

All we can say is, thank you for trusting us with your home Nick!

If you are unsure of your rights, are unhappy with your current management company, or want some advice on your options as a lot owner within a Body Corporate Scheme, chat with Natalie at StrataAU.

Email [email protected] or call (07) 3063 0646 today

The weather this weekend is spectacular!
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WHAT IS A VOC? AKA a VOCM or Flying Minute
Sometimes body corporate committees face the issue of not being able to find a mutually agreeable time when all members are personally available to attend a committee meeting. This may because they are all busy working or perhaps some live interstate or overseas.
When this happens, the legislation allows the committee to ‘vote outside a committee meeting’ (VOCM or VOC) to make a decision. This is commonly referred to in the industry as a flying minute, VOCM or VOC. The process of a VOCM enables voting members of the body corporate committee to make decisions in writing. Most committees use email to do this.
All committee members must be given notice of the proposed motion that is going to be decided. Advice should also be forwarded to all lot owners so they are aware of motions the committee is considering. The notice and advice of the motion may be given by the secretary or another member of the committee who is authorised to give the notice by the majority of voting members of the committee. They are served at the same time.
If there is an emergency situation it is acceptable that contact is made with as many committee members as practicable and the decision may be given orally, such as over the phone. This is to ensure that a decision is made quickly, to cope with the emergency situation. It should be noted that this method should only be used for genuine emergencies, such as deciding on something that may cause imminent danger to people or damage to a lot or the common property.
Even when there is not an emergency there is nothing to prevent committee members ringing each other up to discuss the decision before casting their written vote.
For the motion to pass using a VOCM the majority of ALL voting members of the committee (entitled to vote) must agree. For example, if a committee has seven members, four of these must vote yes for the motion to pass. This is different from a committee meeting were a motion will pass if a majority of those present at the meeting and entitled to vote on the motion, are in favour of the motion.

We ♥️ Manly…..and Wynnum, and bayside all over!

What’s your favourite suburb and why?

HAPPY NEW YEAR BAYSIDE!

It’s going to be an action packed year for StrataAU!

A new year usually brings with it change.

If you are frustrated with your Body Corporate Management and don’t want that to be a theme for 2023 - send us an email to [email protected] and let us take the stress out of your Body Corporate Community in 2023!

StrataAU wishes our beautiful communities a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Stay safe, be kind and keep your prawns refrigerated!

We will be back from January 3!

For all urgent matters, please email [email protected]

WE ARE TAKING A BREAK!

It’s been a huge year for StrataAU.

To ensure we are well rested for a massive 2023, the team will be putting their feet up and enjoying time with their family over the Christmas and New Years period.

That’s not to say we will be going fully “ghost protocol”. Should you need to make contact, please email [email protected] and we’ll get back to you in an appropriate time frame.

From StrataAU to you, have a truly fantastic Christmas and a safe and joyous New Year!

MAINTAINING COMMON PROPERTY
It is the responsibility of the body corporate to maintain common property. As common property may include lawns, access roadways, swimming pools, common doors and windows, it is very important for the body corporate to know what type of plan the scheme is recorded as. A scheme recorded as a ‘building format plan’ will have a significantly different area of responsibility than one recorded as a ‘standard format plan’.

Copies of plans may be obtained from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Lands Registry Office on 1300 255 750.

The body corporate can engage the services of professionals such as gardeners and pool cleaners to carry out maintenance. In some smaller schemes, body corporate members volunteer their own services. Naturally, professional services will involve some costs, and these and other financial matters must be considered by the body corporate at the annual general meeting.

Unhappy with your current management and wanting to explore new options for your community? Head to our website and fill out a contact us form!
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WYNNUM FRINGE FESTIVAL
Who enjoyed the Wynnum Fringe Festival for 2022? What did you enjoy most about it?
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WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL STRATA MANAGER?

Strata managers are professionals who are responsible for the administration of owners corporations. Depending on the state and territory, they are also called owners corporation managers, body corporate managers, strata managing agents, managers, and agents.

It is their task to ensure buildings and common areas within a strata titled or community titled scheme are properly maintained. Strata managers are specialists in their field, possessing the knowledge and skill to administer the body corporate in accordance with the complex requirements of the particular state-based legislation. They also work to achieve consensus in decision making by the lot owners, and to otherwise assist the lot owners by assuming onerous responsibilities. Their functions are not those of real estate agents or resident managers.

Looking for new management? Head to our website and get in contact today!

WHAT ARE LEVIES AND SINKING FUNDS?

The primary source of funding for most strata schemes is from owners through levies. To enable owners to properly plan their finances and for scheme cash flow to meet expenditure, planning and money management by owners committees and managers is critical. Almost all states regulate budgeting (at least for day-to-day expenses) on an annual basis. The extent of regulation and control varies, and the level of disclosure and approval ranges from none to all-owner approval at a general meeting. In some states, longer term planning or estimating for sinking funds is also required. Audits must be considered annually in some states, while for others they are only required for larger or more active schemes. Reporting the actual financial position of a strata and community title scheme is another important aspect of scheme management. It is also generally well regulated and controlled. In most states annual accounts are required to be presented to owners at annual general meetings.

Looking to make changes in the Body Corporate Management department? Contact us today - all the info is in our bio 👉🏼📲

SUNSETS OR SUNRISES?

Nothing is better than a walk by the ocean. The questions is - are you a sunrise or a sunset walker?

Our Managing Director, Natalie, is both!

If you are looking for a new Body Corporate Manager that’s local to you or your investment, look no further than StrataAU.

Call or email us today and start the process!
📞 (07) 3063 0646
📧 [email protected]
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WHAT ARE BY-LAWS?

The by-laws are a set of rules for a community titles scheme that regulate various matters including the keeping of animals, noise and parking on common property. The BCCM Act allows a body corporate to adopt standard by-laws set out in the BCCM Act, or to make by-laws that best suit its individual circumstances.
Owners are encouraged to obtain copies of the by-laws to ensure they are familiar with their rights and responsibilities. By-laws are contained in the CMS for a community titles scheme.

The statement is a document held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Lands Registry Office.

Looking for a new Body Corporate Manager? Request a call today!

📲 www.strataau.com.au/contact/

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY TITLES SCHEME?

A community titles scheme may include any duplex, residential unit block, high rise accommodation complex, shopping complex or business park. Such schemes are comprised of individually owned lots or units and common property.

Community titles schemes allow for flexible living arrangements where a person can privately own an area of land or part of a building as well as share common property areas with other owners.

If you are considering purchasing a unit or townhouse, you need to be aware you will be buying into a community titles scheme.

You will not only have certain rights and responsibilities for your own property, but also the common property shared with other owners within your complex.

Therefore, it is important for potential owners to understand what the common property is and what the costs will be for maintenance and general upkeep.

Examples of common property range from a shared driveway or letterbox area to communal lifts and stairways, swimming pools, tennis courts, roadways and golf courses.

Looking for new management? Get in touch today: www.strataau.com.au/contact/

WOULD YOU WANT TO LIVE ANYWHERE ELSE?

Is your Body Corporate Manager local to you? StrataAU is Brisbane Bayside based for a few reasons. The main reason is because it’s the best part of Brisbane!!

What’s your favourite part of this exceptional part of South East Queensland?

Comment below! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
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