• Read more about Dealing with verbal abuse and defamation within a body corporate
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Members of our committee continually target me and my family. They verbally abuse my father, both in person and by email, and I’ve overheard them speaking poorly about us. The chairperson has been reported to the police several times for verbal and physical harassment and has now sent me a cease-and-desist letter. They also speak negatively about us to other lot owners, often within earshot. What are my rights to stop this behaviour, and is there a way to have them removed from the committee? For context, my father is a lot owner, and I am a tenant in another lot.

• Read more about Understanding lot owners’ rights to speak at committee meetings
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At our committee meetings, one lot owner attends every meeting and constantly talks and gives opinions. The chairperson allows this and lets anyone else in attendance speak whenever they want. Aren't lot owners supposed to observe and only speak at the end if invited or given permission? What's the correct process?

• Read more about How committees can manage stalled insurance claims caused by unresponsive owners
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Our committee is dealing with a lot owner who won’t respond to a cash settlement offer from the insurance company relating to their building insurance claim. Is there a time limit for how long the offer can remain unresolved? Their refusal to engage or negotiate is frustrating. It prevents us from finalising the claim, affects our ability to secure future insurance policies, and contributes to higher premiums.

• Read more about Requirements for installing CCTV cameras on common property in NSW strata schemes
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I am considering proposing the installation of a CCTV camera on the balcony of our manager’s residence. The camera would cover the front vehicle access gate and pedestrian entrance to monitor the speed of cars entering and leaving the complex, as well as for general security purposes. Is this permitted?

• Read more about Managing maintenance when owners deny the existence of the owners corporation
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I am an owner in a three unit strata scheme. Two units share a common driveway, and the third has its own. The hedges along the shared driveway need regular trimming, but the other owners refuse to help maintain the common property or participate in meetings, claiming there is no owners corporation.

• Read more about Changing an AGM date after it’s been set
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In January 2025, the committee scheduled our AGM for 24 November. Our financial year ends on 30 August, and the body corporate distributed the nomination and motion forms, with submissions closing on 30 August.

At the end of September, we were informed that the chairperson was unhappy with the AGM date and wanted it changed. Is this allowed, and if so, what is the correct process for changing the AGM date?

• Read more about Why do developers use internal surface boundaries in multi-tiered strata schemes?
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What are the pros and cons of setting lot boundaries at either the internal or external surfaces of the building? For example, with external boundaries, the building itself forms part of the lot. How does this distinction affect single-tier adjoining lots in a small group of around 16 lots? Are there specific reasons a strata developer might choose one boundary definition over the other?

• Read more about Can an exclusive use area be approved conditionally to avoid upfront costs?
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The creation of an exclusive use area requires a “no dissent” vote at an AGM. Is it possible to submit a detailed proposal for the area and have it voted on without first obtaining legal advice or a survey, provided the matter is referred to the committee, subject to specific conditions?

For example, the conditions could include:

• Read more about Can duplexes on a shared strata plan have separate strata insurance?
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I own one side of a duplex that shares a common driveway and wall with the adjoining lot. A detached house that does not share any common property with us sits at the front of the block, although all three lots are listed on the same strata plan and currently share one insurance policy.

• Read more about How can owners formally submit a motion if the committee ignores majority support?
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Our building does not have a master key system, so owners need multiple keys to access their apartments, the front door, and fire stair doors. A request was made to the committee to upgrade to a master key system for $10,000, but the committee rejected it, citing a lack of funds.

A voluntary survey of our 36 owners, which I conducted, resulted in 23 responses. 19 supported the upgrade, representing a majority. I provided the committee with this information, but they have not acknowledged or responded.