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Strata Webinars

LookUpStrata regularly conducts free Strata Webinars with strata title specialists from all around Australia. These sessions provide strata industry specialists and lot owners unique access to information they may not have previously had access to. The sessions, if viewed using your unique access clink, attract 05. SCA CPD points – and don’t worry, we even help you to quickly and easily apply for the CPD points!

See below for all National Webinars, or check your State’s Strata Webinars, conducted for FREE regularly (usually weekly) throughout the year, via these links:

Upcoming Events

See all information about our upcoming webinars and other events here: Upcoming Strata Events.

CLICK HERE TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN WE PUBLISH NEW CONTENT TO THE SITE

NAT: Insurance Valuations in Strata and the Building Sum Insured | Zac Gleeson, GQS – November 2023

How does your building sum insured impact your strata insurance policy? What’s included in the valuation and how is the valuation figure calculated? Do you have any control over what that figure is? Zac is talking about insurance valuations in strata and the building sum insured.

Zac has an interesting case study to share with us. We even discuss the growing incidences of denied insurance and why this may occur.

Content covered during the session:

  • The historic construction market and the risks imposed on strata properties with particular regard to recent escalation and heightened activity in the market.
  • How often an insurance valuation should be reviewed, and how automatic indexation plays a role in this equation.
  • Renovations undertaken by lot owners and the effect on the strata building sum insured.
  • Lot owner’s contents insurance vs strata building insurance.
  • Quantity Surveyors vs Valuers.
  • Insurance Reinstatement Value vs Market Property Value.
  • Water ingress, high claim history and how to achieve building insurance.
  • What if we got a valuation completed by a Quantity Surveyor and suffered a complete loss but were underinsured?
  • The effect, if any, of bushfire zones, flood zones, road widening provisions, heritage listings and development zoning.

Resources Mentioned During the Webinar

Download the Presentation

You can download the presentation from this session here: Insurance Valuations in Strata and the Building Sum Insured.

Zac Gleeson
GQS
E: [email protected]
P: 0419 755 896

NAT: Speak your best strata language | Chris Irons, Strata Solve – November 2023

For this session, Chris Irons teaches us how to be fluent in strata speak.

Why do the words we use in strata matter? Chris will shed light on the dos and don’ts of strata language, ensuring you’re equipped with the right words for every situation.

Whether you’re a lot owner seeking renovation approval, a strata manager responding to lot owners or a committee member communicating an upcoming special levy, this webinar emphasises the vital role of clear and effective communication.

Resources Mentioned During the Webinar

Download the Presentation

You can download the presentation from this session here: Speak your best strata language.

Chris Irons
Strata Solve
E: [email protected]
P: 0419 805 898

NAT: Building Innovation – using AI to manage strata buildings | Edinwa Feilen, Sedgwick and Stephen Thornton, Voltin – October 2023

Join Edwina Feilen from Sedgwick and Stephen Thornton from Voltin to learn how new technology can improve the life of your building/s.

To solve problems in strata buildings, we tend to fall back on past experiences using traditional methods. However, in this rapidly changing space, it is vital to be open to new technologies and innovations. Edwina and Stephen illustrate the latest AI uses within the strata industry. Take a holistic look at how we can harness new technologies while we increase safety, reduce costs and, ultimately, improve the life of your building.

Resources Mentioned During the Webinar

Download the Presentation

You can download the presentation from this session here: Building Innovation: Using AI to manage strata buildings.

Edwina Feilen
Sedgwick
E: [email protected]

Stephen Thornton
Voltin
E: [email protected]

NAT: Unlock Your Building’s Value. Convert Surplus Spaces into Valuable Assets | James Bouteris from Asset Strata Valuers – September 2023

James Bouteris from Asset Strata Valuers shows us how to transform unused spaces such as airspace, surplus land or the rooftop in your building to unlock potential. Using examples of projects Asset Strata Valuers has been involved in, James illustrates how your building can either benefit from an increase in assets or make financial gains by selling newly converted spaces. Sounds interesting? You betcha!

It’s time to take a look around your building/s and identify any unused area that may be utilised better. You make money by selling off common property, improve value by creating new usable spaces for residents or solve defects like leaky roofs while building something new in the space.

Resources Mentioned During the Webinar

Download the Presentation

You can download the presentation from this session here: Unlocking Your Building’s Value.

James Bouteris
Asset Strata Valuers
E: [email protected]
P: 1800 679 787

NAT: Bullying In Strata: The Signs, The Facts – And Some Solutions | Chris Irons from Strata Solve – August 2023

Chris Irons from Strata Solve joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to discuss bullying-type behaviour (or BTB) in strata and how to help solve it.

Although the word bullying doesn’t appear in the legislation, we do hear a lot about BTB occurring in strata. Chris providing us with information that will assist in recognising bullying-type behaviour and, as it was quite a practical session, provided us with 8 takeaways or action points to help manage these difficult situations.

Resources Mentioned During the Webinar

Download the Presentation

You can download the presentation from this session here: Bullying-type Behaviour.

Chris Irons
Strata Solve
E: [email protected]
P: 0419 805 898

NAT: A fair and compliant insurance renewal process | John Trowbridge, Trowbridge Consulting + Michael Kleinschmidt, Bugden Allen Graham Lawyers + Will Marquand, Tower Body Corporate – August 2023

John Trowbridge from Trowbridge Consulting, Michael Kleinschmidt from Bugden Allen Graham Lawyers, and William Marquand from Tower Body Corporate joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to continue the discussion about insurance commissions. Where are we now, and what does a future of fair and compliant insurance renewals look like?

As part of John Trowbridge’s independent review of insurance practices in the strata industry, he developed the Strata Insurance Handbook to assist owners, strata committees, managers, and brokers navigate the intricacies of the insurance renewal process.

John will walk us through the handbook, including examples of insurance quotations. We’ll discuss good, and not so good, disclosure of fees plus the role of the Strata Manager during the process.

Are John’s recommendations practical? Do they resolve fairness (for ALL) and compliance? What roadblocks still exist?

Resources Mentioned During the Webinar

Download the Disclosure Handbook

You can download John Trowbridge’s Disclosure Handbook here: Strata Insurance Disclosure Handbook.

Update 6 Sept: John Trowbridge has provided a User Guide for his Strata Insurance Disclosure Handbook. The user guide can be accessed here: Strata Insurance Disclosure Handbook – User Guide.

John Trowbridge
Website
Contact: John Trowbridge

Michael Kleinschmidt
Bugden Allen Graham Lawyers
E: [email protected]
P: 07 5406 1280

William Marquand
Tower Body Corporate
E: [email protected]
P: 07 5609 4924

NAT: Are you still living in a 20th Century Building? The future awaits. | Jake Sharp, MiMOR – August 2023

Jake Sharp from MiMOR joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata and discussed how to bring any building into the 21st Century.

It’s 2023, so why are so many buildings still stuck in the 20th Century? All buildings, regardless of size or age, can turn digital.

New technology can be incorporated into your building’s current systems to make the building mobile friendly and more convenient to live in. AI developments have made buildings smarter, allowing them to run themselves, and taking unnecessary pressure off strata managers and building managers.

We are only at the beginning of this revolution, so step on board.

Resources Mentioned During the Webinar

Presentation Slides

The presentation slides can be accessed here: Bringing your building into the 21st Century.

Jake Sharp
MiMOR
E: [email protected]
T: 1300 064 667

NAT: Can AI like ChatGPT help Strata Managers? | Damien Healy, Technology Guru and Will Marquand from Tower Body Corporate – August 2023

Technology development expert Damien Healy and William Marquand from Tower Body Corporate join Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to discuss whether AIs, like ChatGPT, can be a daily help to strata managers.

ChatGPT has created lots of noise in the media. There have been many news stories about how AI will replace your job. That seems to have been refined more recently to something along the lines of ‘People are not being replaced by AI, but BY humans who know how to use AI’. Is ChatGPT a fad or is it too good to ignore? Do AIs like chatGPT or large language models have a place in a strata manager’s daily worklife? And if they do, what does that look like?

We’re sorry to say, utilising ChatGPT or something like it is not ‘set and forget’. It’s more like hiring an intern to assist you with your day.

Is it possible to utilise AI to alter your daily work routine?

The session focused on real-life practical examples of where AI can be used in everyday strata management, including how users can give instructions to AI to help provide customer advice and draft minutes. Join us for this essential look at a future reality. It’s already happening!

Damien Healy
E: [email protected]

William Marquand
Tower Body Corporate
E: [email protected]
P: 07 5609 4924

Balancing Maintenance Requirements and Future Upgrades | Craig Welsh and Marcus Munstermann from QIA Group – July 2023

Craig Welsh and Marcus Munstermann from QIA Group joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to discuss the requirements to maintain the building while still keeping an eye on possible upgrades.

Craig and Marcus talked about strategies for sustainable asset management.

The QIA Team addressed legislative requirements for maintenance, the need for strategic asset management, and the impact of innovations, energy options, and rising costs on building longevity and residents’ lifestyles.

The session also concluded with a Q&A segment. Don’t miss out on this insightful webinar!

Resources Mentioned During the Webinar

Presentation Slides

The presentation slides can be accessed here: Building Maintenance and Upgrade presentation slides.

Craig Welsh
QIA Group
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 309 201

Marcus Munstermann
QIA Group
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 309 201

Strata Managers as Fiduciaries, or ‘Wow, I didn’t know that…’ | Michael Kleinschmidt, Bugden Allen Graham Lawyers – July 2023

‘Fiduciary’ describes a unique relationship of trust and confidence, typically between parties with asymmetric power. You probably deal with your fiduciaries regularly, although you may not know it. Does this law apply to strata managers? If so, what are the implications, and what does that mean for you?

We covered a lot in this session. It’s a little difficult to provide a summary, but here is an overview of some information covered in this important session:

  • Are strata managers, by definition, fiduciaries? If we are going to move on as a profession, we must address this.
  • The fiduciary duties:
    • the conflicts rule
    • the purchasing rule
    • the no profit rule
  • How does informed consent and disclosure fit into this? Disclosure does not equal consent.
  • Strata managers, what basket do you fall into? If you are committed to looking after your clients, ‘aware, but just don’t care’, or a ‘bad actor’?
  • We talk about horizontal integrations, where companies own all or part of associated businesses and whether companies adequately disclose these relationships.
  • What can you do? SCA and Strata Managers, Michael extends a challenge. Committee members, Nikki extends a challenge. Will you take up the challenge?
  • Michael is actively looking for test cases about:
    • Developer Consultancy
    • Insurance Commissions
    • General Commissions
  • Can brokers justify their commissions, and should these be more adequately disclosed?
  • Much, much more…

Resources Mentioned During the Webinar

Presentation Slides

The presentation slides can be accessed here: Strata Managers as Fiduciaries, or ‘Wow, I didn’t know that…’. These presentation and slides are not legal advice. They are expressions of academic opinion, for the purposes of education. We strongly recommend that you obtain your own independent legal advice about any questions you have, or issues raised within them.

Michael Kleinschmidt
Bugden Allen Graham Lawyers
E: [email protected]

NSW + QLD: EV Charging and the importance of getting it right | Allan Parker, Altogether Group – June 2023

EV charging is the future, however, with many varied viewpoints and concerns, making the right decision for your community can be difficult. What is your building doing to get ready for EVs? Maybe residents are already charging electric vehicles in your building, maybe people are starting to ask if they can install a charger, or maybe it’s not even on your committee’s radar.

Allan navigates us through this complex topic by providing a roadmap to get you started and a list of considerations for your committee. Don’t despair! Not only are there environmental and economic benefits, but property owners and developers can reap considerable gains in rent and property value if the correct choices are considered now.

Some of the discussion centred around:

  • Some of the barriers to EV uptake.
  • EV potential benefits for strata living.
  • Electric vehicle readiness in strata: unfortunately, it’s not plug and play.
  • The complexities to consider when deciding on the path forward.
  • Charging options – What’s available and why it’s important to pick the option that best suits your building.
  • The road map to implementation.
  • Understanding your load. Allan shared a hypothetical case study of a building with just 10 EVs and we explored how much of a difference demand control to those busy evening hours of energy consumption.
  • What funding options are available?

Resources Mentioned During the Webinar

The presentation slides can be accessed here: EV ready: introducing electric vehicle charging into your community.

Allan Parker
Altogether Group
E: [email protected]

NAT: Strata Insurance Commissions. Where do you stand? | Panellist of strata and insurance professionals – June 2023

With a total insured value of around $1.3 trillion, the Australian and NZ strata sector continues to grow. The number of schemes registered, currently over 350,000, has almost doubled since 2000. In this webinar, we assembled a diverse panel to offer a broad overview of the current strata insurance commission models, what is wrong and right with the system today and whether improvements are needed in the future. Is a better, fairer model required and if so, what should that look like?

Eight panellists presented their thoughts and offered options on how to move forward. Some of the matters discussed were:

  • The importance of providing more understanding of insurance commissions and what they cover. What bang are consumers getting for their buck?
  • When looking at alternative models, there is a need to recognise remuneration for fair work.
  • Why are strata managers currently involved in the insurance process and should that involvement continue?
  • Would a different model result in savings for the consumer and if not, why not?
  • Is the industry already self regulating? To what degree?
  • Is your strata manager there for the long haul or the churn and burn?
  • The relationship between strata fees and insurance commissions. 
  • What does the fiduciary duty have to do with the insurance commissions debate? If you’re a strata manager, you may wish to take a look.

Resources Mentioned During the Webinar

Chris Duggan
Strata Community Association Australasia (SCA)
E: [email protected]

Anirudh Kakulapati
CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Ltd
E: [email protected]

Damon Casci
Whitbread Insurance Brokers
E: [email protected]

William Marquand
Tower Body Corporate
E: [email protected]

Liz Florence
Abode Strata
E: [email protected]

Tyrone Shandiman
Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby
E: [email protected]

Karen Stiles
Owners Corporation Network (OCN)
E: [email protected]

Michael Kleinschmidt
Bugden Allen Graham Lawyers
E: [email protected]

NAT: Solve Airbnb / Trade Access Issues & Improve Safety in Your Building | Jake Sharp from MIMOR – Mar 2023

Jake Sharp from MIMOR joined us to show how to improve safety and security in your building.

If you dream of an apartment life without having to constantly pay for the renewal of fobs, pass around the garage remote or be concerned about who is wandering down your hallway or lurking in the lift, Jake has a solution for you.

With short stays like Airbnb continuing to be an issue for buildings across Australia, Jake showed us how to minimise the need for key safes stored at the front of buildings, or more alarmingly, lock boxes being accessed on the street or via the corner shop!

When your building’s key safe is compromised, this creates a security risk and unnecessary expense for the building. How can you remove the need for fobs, swipes, keys, and garage door remotes while still efficiently ensuring residents, trades, managers and guests have seamless access to required areas of your building?

Links Mentioned During the Webinar

The presentation slides can be accessed here: Improve Safety in Your Building.

Jake Sharp
MiMOR
E: [email protected]
P: 0414 228 644

NAT: Changing the landscape of consumer protection | Morris Mellinger and Bruce McKenzie, Sedgwick + Corey Nugent, Resilience Insurance – Mar 2023

Morris Mellinger and Bruce McKenzie from Sedgwick and Corey Nugent from Resilience Insurance joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to talk about the changing landscape of consumer protection in the strata industry around Australia. We discussed the steps that are being taken to protect strata owners and new purchasers.

In the past, consumers have had little recourse to address issues with contractors, often resorting to expensive litigation that can take years. However, the good news is that finally the industry is shifting towards a more consumer-centric market. The session explores how industry and government around Australia are implementing schemes to deliver high-quality buildings now and for future generations, how these projects may be rolled out across Australia and what this means for the other states.

Is session shares the positive initiatives happening right now and how these are fueling the future of strata buildings in Australia.

Links Mentioned During the Webinar

The presentation slides can be accessed here: Changing the landscape of consumer protection.

Bruce McKenzie
Sedgwick
E: [email protected]
P: 0420 961 403

Morris Mellinger
Sedgwick
E: [email protected]
P: 0408 371 353

Corey Nugent
Resilience Insurance
E: [email protected]
P: 0450 862 945

NAT: Insurance premium increases in 2023 – Committee considerations with Tyrone Shandiman, Strata Insurance Solutions – Mar 2023

Tyrone Shandiman from Strata Insurance Solutions joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to explore insurance premiums and excess increases in 2023. Tyrone looked at the reasoning behind the increases and provide some considerations for committees in hardening markets.

Here are just some of the topics discussed during this session:

  • differences between a hard and soft market in the insurance cycle and what that means for premium prices
  • why we are in the perfect storm for rising premiums
  • factors impacting strata insurance premiums in 2023
  • what to do in a hardening market
  • how insurance companies typically react to reasons for not completing works
  • how to avoid being uninsurable

Is there a happy ending even though all indications suggest we are in for another bumpy ride through 2023? Tyrone shared tips on ways to cope in these conditions.

Links Mentioned During the Webinar

Tyrone’s presentation slides can be accessed here: Insurance Premium and Excess Increases in 2023.

Tyrone Shandiman
Strata Insurance Solutions
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 554 165

This information is of a general nature only and neither represents nor is intended to be personal advice on any particular matter. Shandit Pty Ltd T/as Strata Insurance Solutions strongly suggests that no person should act specifically on the basis of the information in this document, but should obtain appropriate professional advice based on their own personal circumstances. Shandit Pty Ltd T/As Strata Insurance Solutions is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 404246) of Insurance Advisenent Australia AFSL No 240549, ABN 15 003 886 687.

NAT: Challenging People In Strata – And How To Deal With Them with Chris Irons, Strata Solve – Feb 2023

Chris Irons, Director of Strata Solve, SCA (Qld) President and former Body Corporate Commissioner joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to discuss dealing with challenging people in strata.

Nuisance. Pest. Difficult. These are terms used often in strata, but are they useful words and concepts to use? There are not only different descriptors that should be used – there are different ways of approaching challenging people in strata to ease the pressure and get constructive outcomes.

What do we talk about?

  • What makes someone in strata ‘challenging’?
  • Chris covers some follies – or what to do less of
  • We look at a Case Study that may have had a different outcome if the matter had been handled differently
  • A different approach – or what to do more of
  • Some best practice tips
  • Plenty of Q&As

Links Mentioned During the Webinar

The slides from the presentation can be accessed here: Challenge Accepted: Challenging people in strata – and how to deal with them.

Chris Irons
Strata Solve
E: [email protected]
P: 0419 805 898

NAT: Using strata finance for building transformations and defects with Jenine Garcia, Lannock Strata Finance – Feb 2023

Jenine Garcia from Lannock Strata Finance joins Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to discuss using strata finance to offset building transformations and defect remediation.

The most important aspect of any strata project, whether that be defect remediation or a building renewal/transformation, is to have the appropriate finance in place. Whilst this may seem obvious, finding the right funding for your next project can be a challenge for anyone unfamiliar with strata finance and its nuances.

Jenine shares key insights, provides relevant examples and answer any questions you have on strata finance to help deliver a successful outcome on your next remediation or renewal project.

What do we talk about?

  • What is occurring in the strata sector at the moment?
  • Greatest financial challenges to owner corporations
  • Examples of Uplift Projects – what can be achieved at your building and how?
  • How a strata loan can ease your burden

Links Mentioned During the Webinar

The slides from the presentation can be accessed here: Building Transformations Defect Remediation.

Jenine Garcia
Lannock Strata Finance
[email protected]
P: 02 8355 1340

NAT Strata Webinars | 2022

NAT: Tips and Tricks for the Insurance Dispute Resolution Process with Tyrone Shandiman, Strata Insurance Solutions – Oct 2022

Tyrone Shandiman from Strata Insurance Solutions joins Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata for a webinar about the insurance dispute resolution process.

If you have concerns about the decisions made by your insurer, were you aware there was a dispute resolution process available to help you mediate? Tyrone provides an overview of the dispute resolution process, including useful tips for policyholders in pursuing a dispute with an insurer. Tyrone discussed real-life examples and provided a step-by-step guide on preparing for a dispute.

The session contains many tips and tricks for those preparing for a dispute. Items covered in detail during the session include:

  • What is a dispute
  • The dispute resolution process
  • Doing research and ground work
  • Preparing a dispute
  • Water Damage claims

Links Mentioned During the Webinar

The slides from the presentation can be accessed here: Dispute Resolution.

Tyrone Shandiman
Strata Insurance Solutions
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 554 165

NAT: Would you make a good Strata Manager? with Alisha Fisher, SCA – September 2022

Alisha Fisher from Strata Community Association and Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata were joined by a panel of strata managers from across Australia to discuss the role of the strata manager. We posed a few questions to our audience of lot owners and committee members:

  • Had you considered becoming a strata manager?

  • And if you have, do you have what it takes to make a good strata manager?

In Alisha Fisher’s presentation we saw opportunity for growth in the strata industry, what employer demand looks like, a detailed look at what the role involves, plus other roles within the industry you may also consider.

This was followed by a panel discussion where Nicole Robb, Signature Strata (ACT) + Dilber Beattie, Superior Strata (NSW) + Will Marquand, Tower Body Corporate (QLD) shared:

  • How they became a strata manager.
  • What a typical day looks like (or starts off as).
  • Why they have stayed in the industry for so long and where they see it going in the future.
  • What they love most (and maybe least) about being a strata manager
  • How one of the positives is that you get to build up a great library of really interesting dinner party conversation pieces, if nothing else.

We also answered some other questions from the audience

  • What is the next step?
  • Should you train first then apply for a job or apply for a position and train on the job?
  • What qualifications do you need to become a strata manager? How does these requirements differ from state to state?
  • What is an average portfolio of buildings a strata manager would manage?
  • How much do strata managers get paid?

Some of the links mentioned during the webinar

The slides from the presentation can be accessed here: Sustainability in Strata.

Alisha Fisher
SCA Australasia
[email protected]

William Marquand
Tower Body Corporate
E: [email protected]
P: 07 5609 4924

Dilber Beattie
Superior Strata
[email protected]
P: 02 8599 9999

Nicole Robb
Signature Strata
E: [email protected]
P: 02 6185 0347

NAT: Options for meeting financial obligations during challenging times – Paul Morton, Lannock Strata Finance – August 2022

Paul Morton from Lannock Strata Finance joins Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata. This webinar explores funding options and how a good mix can help your owners corporation weather challenging times.

As the cost of living and inflation increases, the construction sector remains under strain and natural disasters seem to be occurring more regularly, how are lot owners expected to absorb financial pressures over the next 12 months? Are we heading into a fiscal storm?

We talk about how finding the right funding mix is crucial if you want to continue to meet obligations.

Here are just some of the concepts Paul discusses during this thought provoking presentation:

  • People need to think more deeply about their options – more reasoning, less emotion
  • How borrowing can be the cheapest option, after tax, for most lot owners
  • The Opportunity Cost of levies – What is the next best thing you could do with your cash?
  • Get out of the scarcity trap – think ABUNDANCE
  • Special Levies are not the devil.
  • If strata loans are so good, why don’t people use them more?
  • What are the two Little Strata Secrets Paul lets us in on?
  • How this statement can help your building: “We have [insert problem here] but if we do [insert good idea here] and put a penthouse on the top then we fix all the problems, add new features and sell the penthouse, that will pay for everything”.

Questions referred to during the webinar:

  • Question 1: Why aren’t strata loans cheaper?

    Strata loans come with a higher interest rate than a mortgage as they are an unsecured loan. However, is the risk for issuing a loan to a strata complex as high as the rate suggests? After all, body corporates can factor repayments into fixed levies to be raised from owners. They have legal means of recovery in the event of non-payment by owners and if some individuals struggle to make payment, they will eventually be replaced by owners that can. The risk of default seems very low.

    Do strata schemes ever default and what happens if they do? If this doesn’t happen very often, couldn’t rates be adjusted to reflect this?

  • Question 2: Hybrid loans
    1. Do you offer a hybrid loan, wherein an owner can pay their share outright to avoid interest?
    2. What if one owner defaults in their share? Will that affect everyone? How does it work for the Strata? How are penalties distributed? Does this affect the credit standing on the Strata?
    3. If an owner sells their unit, how is this handled? Can the buyer and seller settle the portion owned by the owner during the settlement process?
  • Question 3: Selling my unit

    What are the disadvantages of agreeing to a strata loan? I personally feel it will be a disadvantage for a unit owner to sell his/her unit easily in the future because the new owner/buyer has to pay very high strata levies (compared to non-strata loan owners) on top of their mortgage loan.

  • Question 4: Water Leakage and Deck

    1. Our strata building in Sydney has a leaking roof which is allowing water ingress into several apartments. We have 2 options to raise funds for roof replacement:

      • A series of special levies which won’t see the work completed for another 12 months while we wait for all the funds to be raised.
      • A short-term strata loan which would enable the roof to be replaced now and the loan repaid over 12 months. Would cost more but get it done now.

      If the choice is put to an EGM, one family with 49% of unit entitlement have indicated they would vote against the loan option. Most of the rest would vote for a quick resolution and get the work started.

      Is there any provision in the act to compel the strata to act immediately due to the fact internal damage is being done and will continue until the roof is replaced?

      Would a 51% majority be acceptable at the EGM under these circumstances?

    2. We have a common property deck attached to our villa.

      The decking has come to the end of serviceable life. The safety railing is not BCA compliant and the whole structure needs replacement. The range of replacement costs is between $19,000 to $14,000 which would leave a big hole in the Capital Fund.

      There are three other villas with similar decks who also need to make their porches BCA compliant.

      The suggestion by the Strata Manager was to replace some decks for now and wait until next year to raise a levy. I don’t think this is a good idea, so I suggested in an email to all owners and the Strata Manager that we take out a Strata Loan and get the work done all at once. I suggested this about a month ago now and have received no response from either the Strata Manager or the Committee. I am worried that if we leave it too late, the cost of materials will increase to make the overall price of the works even more expensive.

The slides from the presentation can be accessed here: Options for meeting financial obligations in challenging times.

Paul Morton
Lannock Strata Finance
[email protected]
P: 02 8355 1340

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NAT: Sustainable communities – Don’t get left behind! with Alex Smale, The Knight – July 2022

Alex Smale from The Knight joins Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to explore sustainable communities and how we all need to act now to ensure we don’t get left behind!

Here are just some of the topics covered during the presentation, but we talk about lots more as well:

  • First, you need to figure out what you already have in place eg does your building have a recycled water system or solar panels you are not aware of?
  • What to consider when looking at EV charging.
  • LED upgrades are low hanging fruit and are a good place to start. Where can you go for assistance? Alex even has a suggested product.
  • Solar options for strata complexes plus how to overcome the hurdles.
  • Simple tips to reduce water usage eg upgrading your pool pump may actually save you money.
  • Two case studies of strata buildings that have successfully embraced sustainability – how and why it works.

Some of the links mentioned during the webinar

The slides from the presentation can be accessed here: Sustainability in Strata.

Alex Smale
The Knight
Email
P: 03 9509 3144

NAT: Levies – What are you really paying for? with Michael Ferrier, EYEON Property Inspections – July 2022

Michael Ferrier from EYEON Property Inspections joins Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata for a webinar exploring levies, what you are really paying for and how levies ultimately contribute to a well-run building!

Many owners view levies as a necessary evil, but levies are a good thing, and that’s what Michael’s presentation is all about. Main topics covered include:

  • The role of the strata manager and how they work with the committee to ensure the correct levies are set
  • The types of levies owners want to avoid
  • How you can tell if your levies are too high or too low
  • The influence of the strata committee on the setting of levies and how a bad strata committee can get in the way of what is best for your building
  • How your building’s records tell a positive … or negative story to prospective buyers and why

Just some of the links mentioned during the webinar

The slides from the presentation can be accessed here: Strata Levies – What are you really paying for?.

Michael Ferrier
Eyeon Property Inspections
E: [email protected]
P: 02 9260 5510

NAT: Leaky buildings in strata with Bruce McKenzie and James McIntosh, Sedgwick – July 2022

Bruce McKenzie and James McIntosh, Sedgwick join Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata for a webinar about leaky buildings, waterproofing and water ingress matters specific to strata.

Bruce and James wanted to highlight the most prevalent defect, water ingress. They illustrate the trends and most common causes of leaky buildings via a series of case studies, discussing the defects and how they solved the issues. Main topics covered include:

  • Roof coverings
    • The challenges of contemporary roof tops
    • Performance Requirement of the NCC
    • Box Gutters
    • Case study – Accessible roof tops
  • External wall systems
    • Weatherproofing of cavity masonry – double skin
    • Case study – Cavity Masonry construction
    • Case Study- Balconies and Planter boxes
    • Australian Standard 4654.2 – Minimum requirement of sliding door detailing
    • Weatherproofing of masonry – single skin
    • Case Study – Weatherproofing of single skin masonry
    • Cladding
  • Basements / Car Parks
    • Limitation of NCC Performance Requirement for Class 7a
    • Loss of Amenity in a Class 7 – basement car park
    • Basement Car Parks – water ingress
    • Solutions for water ingress to soffit – the use of catch trays?
    • Perimeter Drainage

Just some of the links mentioned during the webinar

The slides from the presentation can be accessed here: Leaky buildings in residential strata.

James McIntosh
Sedgwick Building Consultancy division
E: [email protected]
P: 0415 459 486

Bruce McKenzie
Sedgwick
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 735 720

NAT: Self Managed Strata – How it works… and how it doesn’t with Chris Irons, Strata Solve – June 2022

Chris Irons from Strata Solve joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata for a webinar about self-managed strata, how it works… and how it doesn’t.

The focus of the presentation was to explore the pros and cons of self managed strata schemes. What does self management really mean? Can it work? During the discussion, we spoke about:

  • Self-management as a concept – was this the way it was meant to be?
  • Self management gives you a greater sense of control but there are real legal and other liabilities if you get it wrong
  • Maybe it works for small schemes…maybe … but first ask ‘Why do we want the hassle?’
  • How successful self managed schemes follow best practices and treat strata as a business, a series of transactions by removing emotion
  • Seek qualified advice and BE RESILIENT

Just some of the links mentioned during the webinar

The slides from the presentation can be accessed here: Self management is strata.

Chris Irons
Strata Solve
E: [email protected]
P: 0419 805 898

NAT: Flood & the Aftermath: Isn’t this what we have strata insurance for? with Tyrone Shandiman, Strata Insurance Solutions – June 2022

Tyrone Shandiman from Strata Insurance Solutions joins Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata for the Flood & the Aftermath Webinar.

The focus of the presentation was to provide an overview of flood, flood insurance and insurance claims:

  • The definition of flood and why a flood can be difficult to determine
  • What happens when damage comes from a combination of flood water (excluded) & other water (not excluded)?
  • How the onus falls on the insurer to demonstrate on the balance of probabilities that the flood exclusion applies
  • Case study: Townsville denied claim resulting in a $1.09m settlement
  • What to consider regarding flood insurance when buying your insurance policy

Links Mentioned During the Webinar

The slides from the presentation can be accessed here: Flood Insurance.

Tyrone Shandiman
Strata Insurance Solutions
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 554 165

NAT: A Healthy Sinking Fund Means Healthy Property Values with Timothy Fuller, Strata Guardian – May 2022

Tim Fuller from Strata Guardian join Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata for the NAT Healthy Sinking Fund Means Healthy Property Values Webinar.

The focus of the presentation was to provide an overview of how your scheme can affect your property price, plus how to check the health of your strata plan:

  • What ‘Red Flags’ to keep an eye out for at your building
  • Why the financial health of a building is worth worrying about
  • Case Study: A poorly funded and maintained building vs A well-funded and maintained building
  • Your Strata Health Checklist

Links Mentioned During the Webinar

Via chat during the live webinar, a number of attendees mentioned how keen they were to share this presentation in the hope of beginning a conversation about working towards a healthier sinking fund balance in their scheme/s. Hopefully, you and your building/s can use the information in the same way.

The slides from the presentation can be accessed here: A Healthy Sinking Fund Means Healthy Property Values.

Tim Fuller
Strata Guardian
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 482 736

NAT: Mould | Asbestos | Illicit Drugs – Dealing with Contaminants in Strata with Ryan Richards and Paul Anderson, Sedgwick – March 2022

Ryan Richards and Paul Anderson from Sedgwick join Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata for the NAT Mould | Asbestos | Illicit Drugs – Dealing with Contaminants in Strata Webinar.

During the webinar, Ryan and Paul discussed how to deal with contaminants plus much more:

  • Contaminants including mould, asbestos and hazardous chemicals from the use or manufacture of drugs can affect the habitability of a property and the wellbeing or health of its occupants.
  • Ryan looks at the importance of restoration following water damage and the key principles when remediating mould damage including:
    • Controls
    • Removal of Moisture
    • Post Clean Up
    • WHS
  • Ryan also talks about the impact of asbestos containing materials on the restoration process and the basics of dealing with asbestos.
  • Paul delves into the world of illicit drugs and provides you with tips and tricks to identify precursors of drug manufacturer and use within your Strata portfolios or your strata building, what to do if you suspect illicit drugs and what to expect with decontamination.

The Dealing with Contaminants in Strata presentation can be accessed here: Contaminants: Mould | Asbestos | Illicit Drugs.

Paul Anderson
Sedgwick
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 735 720

Ryan Richards
Sedgwick
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 735 720

NAT: 10 Year Maintenance Plans and Sinking Funds of Australia with Peter Berney and Dakota Panetta, Solutions In Engineering – February 2022

Peter Berney and Dakota Panetta from Solutions In Engineering join Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata for the NAT 10 Year Maintenance Plans and Sinking Funds of Australia Webinar.

During the webinar, Peter and Dakota spoke about these points plus much more:

  • Reactive maintenance always results in a higher cost to owners and reflects poor committee management (and for investors usually returns a low yield).
  • Proactive maintenance and planning will ensure that the common property never falls into disrepair, resulting in a high yield for owners.
  • The fine print of most insurance policies will make it VERY VERY clear that if you do not maintain the common property and damage or injury occurs, you will NOT be covered.

The 10 Year Maintenance Plans and Sinking Funds of Australia presentation can be accessed here: Strata Compliance: Your Duty to Maintain Your Building.

Peter and Dakota also referred to two case studies:

  • Miami Condo Collapse

  • Unilodge Building in Sydney, NSW

Find out more about these case studies and why they are relevant by watching the recording above.

Peter Berney
Solutions in Engineering
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 136 036

Dakota Panetta
Solutions in Engineering
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 136 036

NAT: Water Damage Insurance Claims with Tyrone Shandiman, Strata Insurance Solutions – February 2022

Tyrone Shandiman from Strata Insurance Solutions joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata for the NAT Water Damage Insurance Claims Webinar.

As well as speaking in detail about water damage insurance claims in strata, Tyrone also answered some of the audience’s questions. Just some of the information touched on:

  • How policies respond to water damage insurance claims
  • 3 Case studies of water damage claims in strata properties and who ended up paying for what
  • How to prevent having water damage claims in your building

Tyrone’s presentation can be accessed here: Water Damage Insurance Claims Presentation.

During the session, Tyrone Shandiman refers to two cases. You can access the cases here:

Tyrone Shandiman
Strata Insurance Solutions
E: [email protected]
P: 07 3899 5129

This information is of a general nature only and neither represents nor is intended to be personal advice on any particular matter. Shandit Pty Ltd T/as Strata Insurance Solutions strongly suggests that no person should act specifically on the basis of the information in this document, but should obtain appropriate professional advice based on their own personal circumstances. Shandit Pty Ltd T/As Strata Insurance Solutions is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 404246) of Insurance Advisernet Australia AFSL No 240549, ABN 15 003 886 687.

NAT Strata Webinars | 2021

NSW | ACT | VIC | SA: COVID 19 & Strata with Wal Dobrow, Covid19 Plans – September 2021

Wal Dobrow
COVID-19 Plans
E: [email protected]
P: 1300 828 344

Nat: Strata Insurance Webinar | Tyrone Shandiman, Strata Insurance Solutions – April 2021

Tyrone Shandiman
Strata Insurance Solutions
E: [email protected]
P: 07 3899 5129

This information is of a general nature only and neither represents nor is intended to be personal advice on any particular matter. Shandit Pty Ltd T/as Strata Insurance Solutions strongly suggests that no person should act specifically on the basis of the information in this document, but should obtain appropriate professional advice based on their own personal circumstances. Shandit Pty Ltd T/As Strata Insurance Solutions is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 404246) of Insurance Advisernet Australia AFSL No 240549, ABN 15 003 886 687.

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The opinions and/or views expressed on the LookUpStrata site, including, but not limited to, our blogs and comments, represent the thoughts of individual bloggers and our online communities, and not those necessarily of LookUpStrata Pty Ltd. In all instances, information should not be taken as advice and independent legal advice should be consulted.

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