Frequently Asked Questions
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In strata schemes such as apartment buildings and townhouses, where multiple lots with different owners share common areas and responsibilities, strata managers emerge as the key facilitator between owners and residents, ensuring that all maintenance and administration is looked after. Acting as the liason between individual unit owners and the owners’ corporation, strata managers shoulder a range of duties such as financial management, maintenance, communication, dispute resolution and government compliance that underpin the smooth operation of the living spaces.
Not quite. Although both take on duties that work towards ensuring that there are no issues in maintaining living spaces, their duties tend to be different in nature. Strata managers work on behalf of all apartment owners, and work with them to focus on issues pertaining to common property. Property managers are not required to facilitate meetings between owners, and are largely focused on private property maintenance and individual issues.
As a tenant in a shared living space, or a potential owner of a unit in a common property, it is useful to speak with an existing landlord sharing the space or a real-estate agent who sells property from that space.
As an owner of property in a strata scheme, you will be required to make regular contributions in the form of strata levies, which provide funding for the running costs of maintaining common property and handling administration duties. These levies are determined in each general meeting which takes place yearly, and distributed accordingly.
These fees are typically paid on a quarterly basis, and the price of strata fees are dependent on a variety of factors such as the number of common facilities shared, and the size of the strata scheme. On average, NSW strata levies are between 0.8% and 1.2% of the property value. At SAVAA Strata, we work with owners to ensure that they receive competitive pricing while covering all needs, providing individual and effective strata solutions.
These fees are typically paid on a quarterly basis, and the price of strata fees are dependent on a variety of factors such as the number of common facilities shared, and the size of the strata scheme. On average, NSW strata levies are between 0.8% and 1.2% of the property value. At SAVAA Strata, we work with owners to ensure that they receive competitive pricing while covering all needs, providing individual and effective strata solutions.
Whether you are a tenant or landlord in a shared space, strata managers will save the day in the face of any issues.
When emergency events occur, the first thing you must do is reach out to your strata management committee for assistance, and provide them with the necessary details for them to promptly resolve the issue. A list of contact numbers SAVAA Strata is associated with are as follows:
SAVVA Strata – After Hours Phone Number: 02 8834 1206 Police/Fire/Ambulance: 000 Poisons Information:13 11 26 State Emergency Service: 13 25 00 Lifeline: 131 114 Service NSW:137788 Police Assistance Line: 131 444 (non-urgent crime reporting and general enquiries) Crime Stoppers:1800 333 000 (to provide crime information confidentially) Sydney Water: 13 20 90 AGL Energy: 13 12 45 Origin Energy: 13 24 61 Ausgrid: 13 13 88
When emergency events occur, the first thing you must do is reach out to your strata management committee for assistance, and provide them with the necessary details for them to promptly resolve the issue. A list of contact numbers SAVAA Strata is associated with are as follows:
SAVVA Strata – After Hours Phone Number: 02 8834 1206 Police/Fire/Ambulance: 000 Poisons Information:13 11 26 State Emergency Service: 13 25 00 Lifeline: 131 114 Service NSW:137788 Police Assistance Line: 131 444 (non-urgent crime reporting and general enquiries) Crime Stoppers:1800 333 000 (to provide crime information confidentially) Sydney Water: 13 20 90 AGL Energy: 13 12 45 Origin Energy: 13 24 61 Ausgrid: 13 13 88
Whether or not you are permitted to keep an animal in your unit will depend on the by-laws of the strata scheme. The by-laws may prohibit animals altogether, or they may allow you to keep an animal with certain restrictions.
If the by-laws do not specifically address animals, you should contact the strata manager for clarification.
If the by-laws do not specifically address animals, you should contact the strata manager for clarification.
If rubbish is dumped on common property, the strata manager will be responsible for removing it. The strata manager may also be able to take action against the person who dumped the rubbish.
In general, strata managers/owners corporations are responsible for maintenance and improvements to common property, and any issues pertaining to the individual living space should be escalated to the lot owner. Strata committees have systems in place to ensure that common property is well-maintained, however reporting issues and contacting your strata committee as they arise will ensure that they are resolved promptly.
The owners’ corporation insurance typically covers the following:
The building itself, including fixture s and fittings
Comon Property
Contents of the common areas
Liability of the Owners Corporation
The specific details of the insurance cover will vary depending on the policy. You should contact the strata manager to obtain a copy of the policy document.
By-laws are rules that govern the use and enjoyment of the common areas of a strata property. They may cover things like noise levels, parking restrictions, pet ownership, and the use of recreational facilities. By-laws are important because they help to maintain a safe, harmonious, and enjoyable living environment for all unit owners.
If you have a dispute with another unit owner, you should first try to resolve the issue directly with them. If this is not possible, you can seek mediation or adjudication from a strata tribunal.
Mediation is a process where a neutral third party helps the parties to reach a mutually agreeable resolution.
Adjudication is a process where an adjudicator makes a binding decision about the dispute.
Strata managers in NSW conduct meetings to discuss important issues between the owners corporation and strata committees in order to administer strata schemes. Though each schedule is different, the meetings are often held as follows:
– Annual General Meeting (A.G.M): General meetings are open to all unit owners and are typically held once a year. They are a forum for unit owners to discuss and make financial and administrative decisions about the management of the strata property, such as determining the budget, levies, reviewing insurances and much more. – Strata Committee Meetings: Committee meetings are closed to unit owners and are typically held more frequently than general meetings. They are a forum for the strata committee to discuss and make decisions about the day-to-day management of the strata property. – Extraordinary General Meetings (E.G.M) : strata committees may also hold extraordinary general meetings between lot owners and the strata committee, typically held only when necessary. EGMs are called for specific purposes, such as to vote on a special levy or to make changes to the by-laws.
– Annual General Meeting (A.G.M): General meetings are open to all unit owners and are typically held once a year. They are a forum for unit owners to discuss and make financial and administrative decisions about the management of the strata property, such as determining the budget, levies, reviewing insurances and much more. – Strata Committee Meetings: Committee meetings are closed to unit owners and are typically held more frequently than general meetings. They are a forum for the strata committee to discuss and make decisions about the day-to-day management of the strata property. – Extraordinary General Meetings (E.G.M) : strata committees may also hold extraordinary general meetings between lot owners and the strata committee, typically held only when necessary. EGMs are called for specific purposes, such as to vote on a special levy or to make changes to the by-laws.
Before making any renovations or alterations to your unit, it is essential to review the strata scheme’s by-laws and obtain necessary approvals. Follow these steps:
<b>Check the by-laws: Carefully review the strata scheme’s by-laws regarding renovations and alterations, paying attention to restrictions, approval processes, and notification requirements. Contact the strata manager: Inform the strata manager about your renovation plans, providing a detailed description of the proposed changes and seeking guidance on the approval process. Submit an application: Complete the required application form for renovations or alterations, providing detailed plans, specifications, and supporting documentation as specified by the strata scheme. Remember: Comply with all applicable regulations and obtain the necessary approvals from the strata committee before commencing any renovations or alterations to your unit. Failure to do so could result in fines, disputes, or even legal action.
<b>Check the by-laws: Carefully review the strata scheme’s by-laws regarding renovations and alterations, paying attention to restrictions, approval processes, and notification requirements. Contact the strata manager: Inform the strata manager about your renovation plans, providing a detailed description of the proposed changes and seeking guidance on the approval process. Submit an application: Complete the required application form for renovations or alterations, providing detailed plans, specifications, and supporting documentation as specified by the strata scheme. Remember: Comply with all applicable regulations and obtain the necessary approvals from the strata committee before commencing any renovations or alterations to your unit. Failure to do so could result in fines, disputes, or even legal action.
SAVAA Strata accepts a wide range of payment options as follows:
Internet: Visit https://www.deft.com.au/ and use the DEFT reference number supplied on the Levy Notice.
Bpay: Biller Code – 96503 Contact your participating financial institution to make a BPAY payment directly from your cheque or savings account. Enter your DEFT Reference Number as shown on the front of your levy payment notice.
By phone: Please call 1300 301 090 to make your payment using Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club or American Express.
In person: Present this page to make your payment by cash, cheque, or EFTPOS at any post office. Payments made at Australia Post will incur a $2.75 DEFT processing fee.
By post: Detach the payment slip on your levy payment notice and send it with your cheque payable to ‘Macquarie Bank’ to: DEFT Payment Systems – GPO Box 4690, SYDNEY NSW 2001
Internet: Visit https://www.deft.com.au/ and use the DEFT reference number supplied on the Levy Notice.
Bpay: Biller Code – 96503 Contact your participating financial institution to make a BPAY payment directly from your cheque or savings account. Enter your DEFT Reference Number as shown on the front of your levy payment notice.
By phone: Please call 1300 301 090 to make your payment using Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club or American Express.
In person: Present this page to make your payment by cash, cheque, or EFTPOS at any post office. Payments made at Australia Post will incur a $2.75 DEFT processing fee.
By post: Detach the payment slip on your levy payment notice and send it with your cheque payable to ‘Macquarie Bank’ to: DEFT Payment Systems – GPO Box 4690, SYDNEY NSW 2001
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