The vast majority of Owners Corporations default to allowing animals upon written application.

If your by-laws already approve small dog, cat etc., you are still required to notify the Owners Corporation.

An Owner’s Corporation must carry out certain functions under the Strata Schemes Management Act such as maintaining common property, arranging building insurance, raising levies and managing by-law breaches. When the Owner’s appoint a strata managing agent, it normally delegates these us.

Our role is to assist and advise the owners corporation through its executives.  A large amount of our time is carried out each day undertaking the mandatory obligations of the Owners Corporation.  However, as strata managers we receive copious amounts of emails and telephone calls that are for notifications for repairs or maintenance issues.  Subject to a finical limitation most repairs will require a quotation being obtained – this takes fiscal responsibility but causes delays in the repairs.

As strata manager we have no authority to spend the owners corporations funds without prior written approval.

The role of the strata committee (SC) to oversee the day-to-day administration and its related issues for and on behalf of the Owner’s Corporation (OC).  The SC then elects either one or two members to liaise closely with the its strata manager and, together, they work as a team to ensure the smooth running of the scheme.

It is the committee who effectively controls the scheme’s long term future by giving a clear indication on where they want the scheme to be positioned in the marketplace.

This must take place at a strata committee meeting with the appropriate agenda and resolutions being resolved and the minutes taken.

Unless the issue pertains to an emergency repair then a tradesman is required attend to investigate the issue and then advise us or quote. This may require additional quotes – all taking additional time.

Once the quote is in it needs to be sent off to the strata committee for approval etc.  Sometime the same issue can be reported to us numerous times.

The strata committee must place the matter on the agenda and the meeting has to be held 72 hours after the agenda has been issued.   So from time of notification, and quotes being obtained, the agenda being prepared meeting being held and quote approved all takes time – but it is unfortunately how strata operates

If you are planning to purchase a Lot within a Strata Plan you will need to obtain a Section 109 certificate from Owners Corporation via the Strata Manager. These are normally requested by your solicitor who will complete the appropriate application.

The Section 109 certificate provides you with an abundance of information including:

• Insurance cover
• Current Levy contribution
• Current financial position of the Lot
• Any future approved Special Levy
• Other pertinent Lot details

It is highly recommended you obtain a 109 Certificate prior to purchase.