The More Than Strata Blog
Updates on strata legislation, strata living, and how to get the most out of your building.
BlogStrata Renewal: What Is It and Is It For Us?
If you live in a strata community, it’s important to understand your options when it comes to strata renewal. This is a process for the collective sale or si...
BlogShould You Choose The Cheapest Contractor for Strata Jobs?
Significant cost pressures are associated with running a successful strata scheme, so it’s natural for Owners Corporations to try to find ways to keep expens...
BlogSafe and Secure Strata Community: Best Practices for Risk Management and Emergency Preparedness
Looking after your strata community takes more than just dealing with daily issues. It’s not uncommon for strata committees to get caught up in the busy natu...
BlogThe Importance of Obtaining and Updating Insurance Valuation
Owners Corporations are responsible for holding building insurance cover, and it’s important that your property is valued correctly when determining your ins...
BlogThe Role of Technology in Modern Strata Communities: How to Optimise Communication and Efficiency with Tools Like Apps and Software
Is your strata community stuck in the past without access to good technology? In this article, we’ll look at just a few ways in which Owners Corporations can...
BlogWhat Can And Can’t You Recycle?
Knowing what you can and can’t recycle is important if you live in a strata environment in NSW. Sustainability is a huge issue for everyone, and that include...
BlogCompulsory Management - What is it and How to Apply
Strata living is a great way of life when everybody is on the same page, and things work well. But what if daily issues or maintenance are being neglected? W...
GeneralThe Future of Strata: Trends and Innovations Shaping the Strata Industry in Australia
With new ecofriendly technology hitting the market every day, strata schemes in Australia are racing to futureproof their buildings. That’s just one of the t...
BlogThe Pros and Cons of Self-Managed Strata Schemes
All Owners Corporations must decide whether they want a selfmanaged strata scheme or whether to hire strata management professionals. Let’s take a look at so...
BlogTips For Preparing Major Capital Works In Strata
Upgrading your strata building can be a stressful and sometimes difficult task. However, with careful planning, it can be a smooth ride and financially rewar...
BlogExploring the Roles and Responsibilities of Strata Committee Office Bearers
What Are the Different Office Bearer Positions on a Strata Committee? Your strata committee is responsible for the smooth daytoday running of your strata sch...
BlogState of the Strata Insurance Market: FY24 Q1 Insights
The landscape of strata insurance in Australia is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a series of unprecedented weather events and evolving in...
BlogWhat Do We Do If Our Building Is Locked in With a Strata Company, But We're Not Happy?
What are the specific reasons people are complaining about the existing management service? It might be poor financial management, delays in dealing with mai...
BlogNew Technology to Support Sustainable Living in Strata Communities
Sustainable living in strata communities is certainly possible, but it takes some careful planning. Some solutions are affordable and easy, while others requ...
BlogImpact of Rising Costs on Strata Management/Schemes
In Australia, many people choose strata living as their preferred way of life. However, rising living costs can pose significant challenges for strata manage...
BlogHow To Be a Good Pet Neighbour
As a pet owner, you’re responsible for ensuring your pet doesn’t cause inconvenience or disruption to your neighbours. This requirement is amplified in a str...
BlogWhat is Sydney Water's WaterFix?
Water conservation remains a paramount concern for Australians, especially those who live in strata communities. Sustainability is an increasingly hot topic,...
BlogHow To Support Your Work-From-Home Strata Community
For many Australians, remote work has become the standard practice since the outbreak of the COVID19 pandemic and beyond. While this has brought about a new ...
BlogStrata Manager Vs Property Manager: What's The Difference?
When it comes to managing strata or individual property, it's important to know the differences between a strata manager and a property manager and you are a...
BlogTax Time Tips
That time of year is approaching again. While many eagerly anticipate the tax season due to their expected refunds, not everybody is so lucky. Plus, some peo...
NewsWhat Happens If I Can't Pay My Strata Fees?
If you own a strata lot, it can be intimidating thinking about what happens if you don't have the money to pay your strata fees. Strata fees are important be...
NewsSolar Power For Strata Buildings: How Does it Work?
Solar installations are on the rise in Australia, and with good reason. A solar panel can help you save money on electricity bills, reduce greenhouse gas emi...
StrataNo One Wants To Be On The Strata Committee: How Can We Encourage Owners To Join?
Strata buildings and schemes typically need the assistance of some dedicated volunteers to operate effectively. These volunteers form what’s known as a strat...
News5 Reasons Why Strata Management Services Are So Important
Professional strata management services are a great way to easily manage your strata scheme. They can take care of all the financial, legal and building main...
NewsHow To Make Your Strata Building More Sustainable This Winter
It's getting cold outside, and there’s a growing need to keep our homes warm. No one likes to pay high energy bills, but it frequently happens when the mercu...
BlogEngage Your Kids In The Strata Community: 4 Tips And Tricks
Depending on your children’s age and the types of facilities available in your strata building, there are many ways to engage kids in your strata community. ...
Blog5 Ways to Improve Your Building Security
Everyone wants to live in a safe environment and strata residents are no different. Here are a few ways strata communities can improve building security. 1\....
NewsThe Key Differences Between Landlord, Contents and Strata Insurance
When assessing your insurance needs in a strata environment, it’s important to understand what you actually require. There is a common misconception that the...
NewsStrata Isn't Immune to Climate Change
Like it or not, climate change is a reality. It's changing the way we live and work, and it's affecting our homes as well. Strata residents need to adapt to ...
NewsHow to Identify a Thriving Strata Community from the First Inspection
Strata communities are a big part of Australian life. Whether you’re an owner or just considering buying into a strata community, it’s important to know what...
NewsWhat Are the Most Appealing Strata Building Amenities? Our Top 5 Picks
A strata building can be your home, but it’s also a community. That’s why strata building amenities are required to make it an inviting place to live. But, o...
News4 Ways to Save Money as a Strata Property Owner
With strata insurance premiums going up by up to 50 per cent for some and utilities cost such as electricity and gas going up year on year, chances are that ...
NewsSustainable Strata Buildings: The Benefits of a Green Vertical Wall
Sustainability is something that’s on most people’s minds lately. So, how can you make your strata building more sustainable for the future? While there are ...
NewsHow to Welcome New Strata Neighbours This Year (Without the Awkwardness)
Many strata properties experience a revolving door of new residents each year. There may be new lot owners or rental tenants moving in and out. It’s always n...
News5 Tips for Resolving Visitor Parking Abuse in Strata Communities
Parking spaces in a strata environment are always a touchy subject. Every building is different, so the parking rules and the number of available spaces are ...
General3 Easy Ways to Build a Greater Sense of Community Within Strata
Not everybody wants to be part of a community. Many people living in strata apartments simply want their own space and are quite happy going about their norm...
StrataWhy Do Strata Levies Vary From One Building to Another?
When you buy into strata, it’s important to check the ongoing strata fees in preparation. But you should do your homework carefully because low fees don’t al...
GeneralEncourage Biodiversity in Your Communal Garden with These 3 Steps
Communal gardens in a strata environment are terrific for bringing likeminded people together. Everybody can get involved, from kids to retirees, and you’ll ...
NewsHow Can I Switch Strata Management? The 4 Steps Involved
There are many reasons that your Owners Corporation may want to switch to a new strata manager. It could be due to slow communication, lack of transparency o...
NewsThe 3 Signs That There May Be Issues with Your Strata Financial Management
The financial status of your strata scheme isn’t just about the dollars and cents available for repairs and maintenance. The reality is strata finances can h...
Blog3 Ideas To Keep Your Kitchen Sustainable in A Strata Living Environment
So many people are looking for ways to be more selfsufficient and sustainable, no matter where they live. Plus, with the cost of living always on the rise, i...
BlogHow to Navigate Conflict Resolution Within Your Strata Community
A strata community is usually a great place to live. Most people respect and follow the bylaws, allowing everybody to live in relative peace and harmony. How...
GeneralConsumer psychologist's take on gift-giving mistakes to avoid
A good gift can elicit a surge of happiness and gratitude in the recipient. It also feels great to give, with psychologists finding that the joy of giving a ...
BlogCan I Lease My Strata Apartment Out on a Short-Term Basis?
Strata apartments are owned and inhabited by all sorts of people. On the whole, you’ll find people own their apartments and live in them. However, there are ...
BlogUnpacking the Apartment Undersupply in Sydney: What You Need to Know
With a degree of turmoil in the property market at the moment, Sydney finds itself in somewhat of a stalemate surrounding apartment availability. Developers,...
BlogThe Best Vegetables and Herbs to Plant in Your Strata Garden or Balcony this Spring and Summer
Many strata communities have implemented community gardens in recent years, but even if yours hasn’t yet, now might be just the time to start. Spring and sum...
BlogHow Much Noise is Too Much? How to be Courteous in Strata During Party Season
The party season is upon us again, and with the worst of the Covid pandemic behind us, we can expect things to be a little more social this summer. The warme...
Blog4 Lesser-Known Strata By-Laws to Get Familiar With
We’ve all heard horror stories about fickle complaints being lodged against neighbours in strata buildings. Many people have experienced this firsthand. Whil...
BlogWhat Protection Do Owners Have When Buying Into Strata?
Are you considering buying into a strata community? This communal way of life is extremely popular, but you need to know what sort of protections you have wh...
BlogHow To Navigate Waste Management Within Strata Communities
Nobody likes dealing with rubbish, but it’s an essential factor of modern life. Poor waste management practices lead to bad hygiene and unsafe living conditi...
BlogHygiene is Always Important in Common Spaces: 3 Tips to Help Manage
Maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene standards of common spaces is important for every strata property. Of course, hygiene was a huge focus for most of us...
BlogWhat is the Strata Committee? Explaining its Role in Communities
If you’ve bought into a strata property environment, you’re likely aware of the strata committee. You may have even considered joining yourself. But what doe...
BlogIs it Possible to Live Off-Grid in A Strata Community?
If you live in a strata environment, you may have wondered whether you can take your lifestyle offgrid. That means being more selfsufficient, such as install...
Blog4 Strata Common Spaces and How to Manage Their Use
The common areas of a strata property are for the benefit of everyone. Shared facilities such as gyms and pools are designed for the enjoyment of all residen...
BlogAre You New to Strata Community Living? Here's Your Guide to the Basics
If you’ve never lived in a strata community before, you may be wondering how strata works. Strata living might seem a little complicated at first, but the sy...
GeneralBetter Understand Your Strata Building’s Financial Position with These Tips
As a lot owner in a strata scheme, it’s up to you how involved you get in the daily running of the building. Most strata schemes have a committee to represen...
BlogTall timber buildings are exciting, but to shrink construction’s carbon footprint we need to focus on the less sexy ‘middle’
Developer Thrive Construct recently announced the world’s tallest steeltimber hotel to be built at Victoria Square, Adelaide. Australia has caught onto the t...
BlogDissecting Strata Levies: Why is it so Important They are Paid on Time?
Strata levies, just like death and taxes, are a fact of life for strata lot owners. These levies are crucial to the ongoing successful management of the prop...
NewsHow Can Strata Buildings Prepare for the Electric Vehicle Revolution?
While uptake of electric vehicles has been slower than some would like in Australia, attention is slowly turning towards them. With a stronger focus on reduc...
BlogKeep These 4 Considerations in Mind When Using Your Stata Apartment Balcony
Knowing what you can and can’t do on your strata apartment balcony can mean the difference between adhering to or breaching your strata bylaws. Here’s what y...
BlogWhat are the Rules for Renovating My Apartment in a Strata Building?
Are you considering giving your strata apartment a makeover? While renovations are certainly possible, there are a few things to consider before reaching for...
BlogNew Mandatory Annual Reporting for All NSW Strata Schemes | Strata Hub
With more than 1,000 strata schemes being registered each year across NSW and approximately oneinseven NSW residents living in strata, the NSW Government has...
Blog7 Tips to Boost Wellbeing and Productivity Working from Home
Telstra and Westpac are the latest companies to encourage staff to work from home, just a few months after some of them returned to the office. Working from ...
BlogMore Rented, More Mortgaged, Less Owned: What the Census Tells Us About Housing
On the surface, the latest census tells us home ownership has changed little over the past five years. Between the 2016 census and this census in 2021, the s...
BlogHow to Make a Rental Property Pet Friendly
For most pet owners, their furry friends are part of the family. As a rental property owner, it’s your choice whether or not to allow pets (and, ultimately, ...
GeneralSustainable Strata Living Can Save You Money: Here’s How
Sustainability is the word on everybody’s lips at the moment. With the cost of living increasing everywhere, strata scheme owners and managers are incentivis...
BlogExplaining Strata Loans: What Are They and How Do They Work?
When your strata building or scheme needs urgent funds for repairs, upgrades and other unexpected costs, what do you do? You could raise special levies, whic...
Blog4 Tips to Keep Your Strata Community Healthy This Flu Season
Since we were kids, we’ve been taught to wash our hands regularly, cover our mouths while coughing and keep our hands away from our faces if we’ve touched pu...
StrataClearing Up the Confusion: Who Pays for What Maintenance Within a Strata Scheme?
When maintenance issues arise in your strata scheme, working out what repairs you are responsible for can be confusing. When are you liable, and what falls t...
StrataExplaining the Strata Schemes Management Act’s Sustainability Infrastructure
With a global push to move toward a more sustainable future, the New South Wales government has introduced amendments to the Strata Schemes Management Act 20...
StrataWhat Happens if My Building Suffers Water Damage?
Repairing water damage can be a complex and expensive undertaking, and, especially in a strata setting, the extent of the damage can be difficult to fully re...
StrataInterested in Building a Library for Your Community? Learn More Here
Relationship building within a strata setting can often be overlooked but is, in fact, an essential component of cohesive strata living. Promoting a sense of...
Lifestyle4 Ideas to Build an Environmental Oasis on Your Balcony
As our society is becoming more environmentally aware, we’ve come to realise the importance of creating ecofriendly green spaces in urban environments. Not o...
NewsAre You Eligible to Claim These 5 WFH Expenses at Tax Time?
Working from home has quickly become the new norm and, as a result, the way we work is rapidly changing. As more people continue to work from home, new infor...
Lifestyle3 Core Considerations for Creating a Communal Herb and Vegetable Garden
Community gardens are incredibly beneficial for strata properties and their residents. Not only do they improve the overall health and morale of residents, b...
StrataAre You Considering a Strata Management Change? Here are 4 Key Steps
It can be a daunting time when changing strata managers. Knowing what to look for or avoid can feel overwhelming, especially if you have had a bad experience...
Blog5 Simple Ways To Add Value To Your Strata Property
As a strata property owner, naturally, you will want to maximise its value. You can decorate your own lot or unit to your heart’s content, but typically pros...
NewsOur Top 6 Etiquette Tips For Being The Perfect Apartment Neighbour
As fabulous as apartment living is, it’s important to be considerate to those who live around you. You don’t want to find yourself in a living situation that...
BlogThe Best Houseplants For Your City Apartment (And Why They’re Important)
Houseplants are extremely important for apartment living they improve your quality of life, both mentally and physically. Not only can they brighten a space ...
StrataWhat if the Owners Corporation Doesn't Have Enough Funds to Cover Expenses?
Occasionally, an Owners Corporation will find itself in a position where it needs the finances to repair the damage or pay an insurance premium, but they do ...
BlogHere's how to find out if a strata company is any good before you hire them
If you’re looking to enlist the services of a body corporate manager in Sydney, you need to understand the components that can help you to ensure the company...
BlogThe Major Sustainability Considerations for Strata Communities in 2022
With sustainability on everyone’s mind, strata buildings are no exception. Here’s why it’s important for owners corporations to consider sustainability upgra...
BlogWhat Should I Expect from a Strata Manager? Is it the Same as a Building Manager?
Moving into a new home is exciting, but with it comes a host of new rules that can make or break your experience. Strata managers are one of the most importa...
BlogHow to comfortably break the ice with your new neighbours
Moving into a new neighbourhood or apartment building can be pretty daunting; it's always nice to have someone close by that you can ask for favours when you...
BlogDo I Need Home Contents Insurance If My Owners Corp Has Building Insurance?
Choosing the right kind of insurance is one of the biggest decisions you can make, but it is rarely a onesizefitsall approach. For those living in a strata p...
BlogHow To Take Part In Sustainable Waste Programs (And Encourage Your Building To Get On Board)
The increase in demand for highrise living has led to a boom in energy and water consumption, as well as waste output from larger buildings. However, there a...
BlogThe Most Common Neighbour Complaints and How to Avoid Them
While living in a strata creates a great sense of community, the idea of ‘love thy neighbour’ can sometimes be difficult. Sharing walls and communal spaces w...
BlogWhat Do Strata Levies Pay For? Breaking Down the 3 Primary Levies
In any strata environment, lot owners are required to pay levies. The amount will generally differ between properties, but all levies are used in much the sa...
BlogWhat can Strata Do for FTTP upgrade?
In the modern world, fast and reliable internet connectivity is no longer a luxury but a necessity. When it comes to selecting an internet connection type, y...
NewsStrata Owners, find out more: Covid-19, the Health Orders and the Impact You
1.Masks A mask must be worn at all times when people are on common property. This includes in lifts, lobbies, hallways, garbage rooms, car parks and when acc...
BlogWhat does a strata manager do?
What does your strata manager do for you? What exactly does a strata manager do? In many ways, strata management is an ‘invisible’ service. If you are not a ...
BlogDon't Adopt that Fur-Baby just yet...pets in strata
The More Than Strata Team are fans of pets. However the recent decision in the Court of Appeal that blanket bans on pets is invalid does not mean that our fu...
BlogStrata Managers Working with Developers. Conflict Recorded.
Last month the Public Authority Committee handed to the NSW Government its report entitled Regulation of building standards, building quality and building di...
BlogLevy debt collection during Covid-19 Recession.
It’s a big question. Proceeding with collection of levies during the Covid19 recession. Should it occur? When should it happen? How does it occur? If a perso...
BlogStrata managers are not financial experts. Yet right now, during a financial crisis, they are going to need to be one.
Strata management really is a job that requires a person to be a jack of all trades. In any one day a strata manager may have to; 1.Mediate between disputing...
BlogOwners Corporation in debt? Every owner is on risk to pay.
Did you know that a creditor with a default judgement against an Owners Corporation can apply for a compulsory agent to be appointed? In plain English, if th...
- Blog
Levy defaults. Calls for Government Intervention.
The Owners Corporation Network (“OCN”), the leading advocacy group in the Country for strata owners, have released a policy paper calling on the Government t...
BlogThe Knock-on Effects From Covid-19 Mean That Every Strata Owner Is Exposed To The Risk Of Home Loss.
While a statement like ‘you could lose your home’ may feel alarmist, the reality is many owners will be faced with this very outcome. The profoundly negative...
BlogEvaluate your Strata: 10-point Check List
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BlogBeing told not to hold strata meetings? Here's Why That's Bad Advice
Covid19 has changed the world and strata seems to be an area of concern skipped over by the Government. With a lack of official guidelines, strata health ann...
BlogSo…Short-Term-Letting – Illegal or not?
You’d be forgiven right now for either: Being completely unaware that new laws are commencing in relation to short term letting; or Having no idea what the n...
NewsWe're Launching a Podcast!
You know how there a million podcasts created by business ‘experts’ and mostly they have all these amazing suggestions that don’t really translate in the rea...
BlogWhat if someone in your strata building is diagnosed with Covid-19 ?
It seems that one of the battlefronts of Covid19, which not many people have thought about is the apartment block. Social distancing and even selfisolation a...
BlogA 'Risk Rating System', will it help?
In a recent announcement, the Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, has proposed ambitious reforms, which would see builders, developers and certif...
Blog'Devil-opers'. Why we don't work with developers.
Ok, so we admit it, the title of this blog is clickbait. We don’t really think that developers are the devil. We know many quite lovely ones. Development is ...
BlogMeeting the Locals - What YOU taught US
In midFebruary 2020, still under our Concierge at Home banner, we spent three days at the Cremorne Town Centre shopping center, talking to locals about their...
BlogWhat is a Service Guarantee?
Hand’s up if you have heard the words ‘we provide a more proactive service’ – from any service provider recently. And keep them up if that actually happens? ...
BlogWhat is Concierge Service in Strata?
There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when you receive great service. When someone goes out of their way to really make an experience better for yo...