Does a portfolio insurance policy meet the requirements of the Owners Corporations Act?

By Neziah,

I am a lot owner and committee member in a retirement village with an owners corporation. Under our management agreement, the village operator obtains the insurances required by sections 59 and 60 of the Owners Corporations Act 2006 (the Act) as part of a portfolio insurance program covering multiple retirement villages and other facilities such as aged care. Our owners corporation is listed as a named insured on those policies.

Should our body corporate manager have advised us before our sinking fund ran dry?

By Neziah,

We are a small lot community titles scheme (format plan) facing an urgent repair to a retaining wall and fences. The committee organised quotes and approved a company to complete the work. Beyond a couple of emails, our body corporate manager (BCM) has left us on our own despite our requests for help, as we don't feel we have sufficient knowledge. Dealing with adjoining owners, their agents and bodies corporate, along with short-life quotes, has been incredibly stressful for our treasurer and chairperson. The BCM said they could get involved in correspondence, but there would be a cost.

Can admin funds be used to maintain private courtyards?

By Neziah,

Our strata plan has been using funds from the admin fund to pay for regular monthly gardening of the courtyards of 18 of our 86 lots. The courtyards in question are marked as "private" on our strata plan. Is this legal under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, or are common funds only for common property? According to the strata manager, because this has been done for years, it can continue despite my formal request that it stop.

Sarah Shevy

By Neziah,

I am helping grow Energy On's portfolio through innovative and ethical collaboration in the energy sector to serve both embedded network sites and their energy consumers.

I am also the founder and owner of Inside Outside Furnishing & Lifestyle. Combining customer service with sales and marketing, my online store sells affordable curated furniture for inside and outside your home.

Katie Dam

By Neziah,

Katie is a Lawyer at Aitken Partners, working within the Owners Corporation team.

Before qualifying as a lawyer, Katie spent four years as a paralegal, building a strong attention to detail and the ability to manage complex matters with professionalism and efficiency. She brings a responsive, principled approach to her work, with a genuine focus on helping clients achieve the best possible outcome.

Outside of work, Katie enjoys staying active, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

Jade Marley

By Neziah,

Jade Marley is a Solicitor in the firm's Sunshine Coast office. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Sunshine Coast and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law, and was admitted to the Queensland Supreme Court in 2024.

In her final year of study, she volunteered through the university's partnership with Suncoast Community Legal Service, providing legal assistance to the local community.

Jun Chen

By Neziah,

Jun Chen is a solicitor at Bannermans Lawyers and is admitted both as a Chinese lawyer and in the Supreme Court of NSW. Before joining Bannermans in 2024, Jun practised in Indonesia for three and a half years, specialising in corporate law and foreign investment. He later worked in a Sydney CBD firm focusing on property and business law, acting for major commercial entities in leasing matters. At Bannermans, Jun advises on strata law, by‑laws, boundary disputes and alternative dispute resolution.

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