Strata & Community Living Summer 2025

2025 Summer Edition

Addressing unethical practices
Strata Scheme WH&S Responsibilities
Key WH&S obligations for schemes
Benefits of painting in Summer
What are the liabilities of strata committee members?
Insuring buildings with defects
Strata window & door projects under the DBPA
Challenges for electric vehicles in Strata Communities
Cyber storm clouds are forming
Managing successful security projects
The height of leadership in safety

 

Addressing unethical practices

Ethical conduct in strata management is essential for maintaining trust and professionalism. All SCA NSW members are held accountable to a stringent code of ethics.

Before escalating a concern to SCA NSW, members or owners must address their issues directly with their strata managing agent. Each strata agent must have a complaints management process, typically found on their website or obtained by contacting their office. Resolving concerns at this level often leads to quicker and more efficient outcomes.

Strata Scheme WH&S Responsibilities

WH&S legislation plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of workers across various industries.

There is Commonwealth legislation and state/territory specific legislation with the purpose of entrenching these obligations across all areas – strata, community and company title properties.

The WH&S legislation is designed to create a safe working environment and prevent workplace injuries or illnesses.

Key WH&S obligations for schemes

• Risk management and safety assessments
• Maintenance and repairs
• Emergency procedures and training
• Contractor management
• Incident reporting and investigation

Benefits of painting in Summer

As a Strata Manager, ensuring that your building looks its best is a priority, and one of the most effective ways to enhance the aesthetics and longevity of your property is through painting. While painting can be done year-round, summer presents unique advantages that can lead to better results and cost savings.

What are the liabilities of strata committee members?

Strata committee members are acting in a position of power and owe fiduciary duties to the owners corporation and owners.

As such, they can have personal liability in relation to performance of their functions including:

• approval of renovations (major works) to lots which is beyond the power of the committee to grant;
• entry into or termination of agreements (e.g. building management agreement);
• acts in conflict of interest;
• defamation;
• or negligence.

Insuring buildings with defects

Building defects are an ongoing challenge for apartment owners and strata managers across Australia. Defects range from plumbing and electrical faults to unsafe cladding and structural flaws. These problems can cause significant stress for residents and owners. It is important for owners and managers to take a proactive approach to addressing defects and communicate this approach to your insurer.

Strata window & door projects under the DBPA

• When can a balcony door be replaced without adhering to the DBPA?
• What are the requirements if the balcony doors fall under the DBPA?
• How do we determine the right termination height?
• What tasks might be needed when replacing balcony doors as under the DBPA?

Challenges for electric vehicles in Strata Communities

While the road to integrating EVs into strata communities may be challenging, it is not insurmountable. Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort between strata committees, residents, and relevant stakeholders.

With clear communication, updating regulatory frameworks, and investing in sustainable solutions, strata communities can pave the way for a future where electric vehicles seamlessly coexist with the principles of communal living. As the demand for sustainable living continues to rise, overcoming these challenges will not only benefit the environment but also enhance the quality of strata living.

Cyber storm clouds are forming

A new report from NAB, released in October 2024, found most Australians had personal information compromised through either attacks on large companies or phishing scams. Criminals are increasingly targeting those without the budget and resources for heightened cyber security protections, preying on those not being vigilant.

Managing successful security projects

Upgrading a security system for a Strata building can be daunting for both Strata Managers and the Owners Corporation.

Step 1: What do you want to achieve with this project?

Step 2: Apples for Apples. How to get three similar quotes.

Step 3: Who’s the right contractor for the Project?

Step 4: Ensuring a smooth installation

Step 5: What happens next? The important bit.

The height of leadership in safety 

In this new era of accountability, owners corporations are engaging remedial and insurance builders with leadership prowess in safety.

Following a string of injuries and deaths on work sites earlier in the year, enforcement agencies have promised ‘tougher than ever’ penalties for responsible parties that fail to meet their Workplace Health and Safety obligations. NSW Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis sent a clear message in 2023: “[All builders] can expect a visit from a Safe Work inspector who will throw the book at anyone breaking the law.”

 

 

Photo Credit: Freepik