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QLD Strata Webinars

LookUpStrata regularly partners with QLD strata professionals to hold informative strata webinars for our audience of lot owners, industry professionals and broader QLD readers. Our webinars usually feature Q&As where the panelist/s answer questions that have been submitted by our audience.

QLD: Is “Sorry” the hardest word? The role of apologies in strata | Chris Irons, Strata Solve and William Marquand, Tower Body Corporate – October 2024

You can download the presentation and read more here: Beyond “Sorry”: Effective Communication Strategies for Strata Residents.

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QLD: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities for Disability Access | Brendan Pitman, Grace Lawyers and William Marquand, Tower Body Corporate – August 2024

You can download the presentation and read more about disability access in Queensland body corporates here.

QLD: The Power of Lot Owner Motions in a Body Corporate | Todd Garsden, Mahoneys and William Marquand, Tower Body Corporate – July 2024

Todd Garsden from Mahoneys and Will Marquand from Tower Body Corporate joined us to explain how lot owners have a powerful but little used tool at their disposal: owner motions.

Do you have ideas to suggest to your body corporate committee, but you feel like your voice isn’t being heard? Do you wish you could have a greater say in the decisions that affect your property and your community?

Today’s webinar provides owners with the knowledge to submit effective motions at body corporate meetings. Todd and Will outlined the power lot owners hold to submit motions and influence decisions. They also looked at best practices so you can craft clear, concise motions and achieve your desired outcome. Can you use AI to assist you write motions? We explored the potential benefits and surprising pitfalls. And we also covered when and why motions might be ruled out of order by the chair.

We also tackle this interesting question: Can the strata manager provide independent advice to a lot owner on drafting a motion for a General Meeting?

Resources mentioned during the video:

Download the Presentation

You can download the presentation here: Submissions of Lot Owner Motions

Todd Garsden
Mahoneys
E: tgarsden@mahoneys.com.au
P: 07 3007 3753

William Marquand
Tower Body Corporate
E: willmarquand@towerbodycorporate.com.au
P: 07 5609 4924

QLD: Deter, or not Deter? Using by-laws as deterrents | Chris Irons, Strata Solve and Frank Higginson, Hynes Legal – May 2024

Chris Irons from Strata Solve and Frank Higginson from Hynes Legal joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to explore the rights, wrongs, and maybes of by-laws and whether their use as a deterrent can be just what your strata scheme needs to address a challenging situation.

We know that living in a strata scheme can sometimes bring its own set of challenges. Unruly pets, excessive noise, or parking disputes – just to name a few. What can be done to address these issues and create harmony?

That’s where bylaws come in! Bylaws can sometimes get a bad rap. Some see them as restrictive or a way to “punish” bad behaviour. What if we reframed the conversation? Can bylaws be used as a positive force? Frank and Chris cover the rights, the wrongs, and the “maybes.”

We also tackle this interesting question: Can a committee use a bylaw they know is technically “wrong” to encourage good behaviour?

Resources mentioned during the video:

Download the Presentation

You can download the presentation here: Deter, or not Deter? Using by-laws as deterrents presentation

Chris Irons
Strata Solve
E: chris@stratasolve.com.au
P: 0419 805 898

Frank Higginson
Hynes Legal
E: frank.higginson@hyneslegal.com.au
P: 07 3193 0500

QLD: Simplifying the approval and dispute process when talking EV charging in strata | Chris Irons, Strata Solve and Nikki Jovicic, LookUpStrata – March 2024

Chris Irons from Strata Solve and Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata discuss the approval and dispute process when talking EV charging in body corporate buildings. What conversations about EV charging are, or are not, happening in your building?

As strata communities in Queensland face the need to accommodate EV charging infrastructure, it’s essential to understand the multifaceted issues surrounding approvals, governance, disputes, and resolution options.

Are there competing interests or are property agents and body corporate managers working for the same client?

During the session, Chris and Nikki address:

  • Applying for approvals, presenting your case to the committee, wording the motion, getting the committee onboard
  • Identify the emerging dispute flashpoints for EV in strata schemes
  • Discuss the formal and informal options for resolving disputes about EV

Resources mentioned during the video:

Download the Presentation

You can download the presentation here: Simplifying the approval and dispute process when talking EV charging in strata

Chris Irons
Strata Solve
E: chris@stratasolve.com.au
P: 0419 805 898

QLD: Creating harmony between owners and tenants in a body corporate | Will Marquand, Tower Body Corporate and Vicki Freame, Colibri Realty – February 2024

Will Marquand from Tower Body Corporate and Vicki Freame from Colibri Realty talk about the relationship between body corporate managers and property agents. Why does tension exist between these two professions? Can they work together in harmony?

Are there competing interests or are property agents and body corporate managers working for the same client?

Will and Vicki discuss why disagreements can easily arise in tenancies for problems relating to:

  • pets
  • parking
  • serving breaches
  • removing problem residents from the property.

Resources mentioned during the video:

William Marquand
Tower Body Corporate
E: willmarquand@towerbodycorporate.com.au
P: 07 5609 4924

Vicki Freame
Colibri Realty
E: vicki@colibrirealty.com.au
P: 0416 279 434

QLD Strata Webinars | 2023

QLD: Body Corporate Spending Limits – The Breakdown | Frank Higginson, Hynes Legal – October 2023

We had a webinar with Frank back in July, talking about the differences between maintenance and improvements. In that session, lots of questions about spending limits were asked. A viewer requested we explore this topic in detail. So here we are!

Spending limits are complicated. Why? Because the rules and regulations are scattered throughout the legislation. But Frank reminds us that, although it’s a challenge to piece these rules together, they exist for a very good reason.

Specifically, Frank speaks about:

  • Spending limits at committee and general meeting
  • The major spending limit
  • Emergency spending
  • Some common exceptions

Resources mentioned during the video:

Download the Presentation

You can download Frank Higginson’s presentation here: Body corporate spending limits

Frank Higginson
Hynes Legal
E: frank.higginson@hyneslegal.com.au
P: 07 3193 0500

QLD: Body Corporate By-laws – Where, what and why? | Todd Garsden, Mahoneys – September 2023

In the realm of strata living, bylaws come in all shapes and sizes. Some body corporate communities have unique, tailor-made bylaws, while others rely on house rules to keep things in order. Can house rules be enforced the same as bylaws? How do you separate the valid bylaws from the invalid? And what’s the use of having bylaws if they’re left to gather dust on the shelf, unenforced and forgotten?

The where, what and why of by-laws:

  • By-laws and house rules
  • Why are there such variances between by-laws
  • The Validity of by-laws:
    • Regulation
    • Limitations
  • How to draft and prepare new by-laws
  • Committee by-law enforcement steps:
    • Step 1 – Contravention notice
    • Step 2A – Conciliation
    • Step 2B – Court
    • Step 3 – Adjudication
  • Enforcement as an owner

Resources mentioned during the video:

Download the Presentation

You can download Todd Garsden’s presentation here: Body Corporate By-laws – Where, what and why?

Todd Garsden
Mahoneys
E: tgarsden@mahoneys.com.au
P: 07 3007 3753

QLD: Brave New Strata World? Strata Law Changes And What They Mean For You | Frank Higginson, Hynes Legal + Chris Irons, Strata Solve – August 2023

After many years of talking, Qld has a draft of new strata laws, representing some of the most significant changes to body corporate legislation in decades.

The proposed changes to body corporate law will:

  • allow bodies corporate to make by-laws that prohibit smoking (including vapes) on common property or an outdoor area such as a balcony;

  • make clear that regularly exposing a person in another unit or on common property to second-hand smoke is a nuisance, hazard and unreasonable interference that should not be occurring;

  • prevent bodies corporate from making by-laws banning pets in community titles schemes;

  • clarify and enhance the ability for bodies corporate to tow vehicles from common property in a timely manner;

  • allow for an adjudicator to approve for a body corporate to put in place alternative insurance when it cannot comply with the required level of insurance for particular buildings;

  • enhance by-law enforcement and access to records in more complex layered arrangements of community titles schemes;

  • enhance the code of conduct for body corporate managers and caretaking service contractors; and

  • clarify and streamline body corporate administrative and procedural matters.

Where are we at with the proposed changes, what does it mean for the Bill to be introduced to Parliament, and what happens now?

Resources mentioned during the video:

Frank Higginson
Hynes Legal
E: frank.higginson@hyneslegal.com.au
P: 07 3193 0500

Chris Irons
Strata Solve
E: chris@stratasolve.com.au
P: 0419 805 898

QLD: Maintenance vs Improvements: What is the difference and what spending limits apply? | Frank Higginson, Hynes Legal – July 2023

Frank Higginson from Hynes Legal joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to discuss Maintenance vs Improvements: What is the difference and what spending limits apply?

What is the crucial difference between maintenance and improvements? Led by Frank Higginson, we explore the definitions and characteristics of maintenance and improvements, understanding how these classifications apply to lot property and common areas.

The session highlights the significance of the distinctions for lot owners and the body corporate, emphasising how decisions regarding maintenance and improvements impact legal and financial considerations, and the overall harmony of strata communities.

We also looked at the spending limits that apply to each.

This a grey area, so Frank provided some practical examples of what is maintenance and what is classed as an improvement. You may be surprised at where the line is drawn and why the distinction is important. And when it comes to spending limits, why haven’t these amounts been adjusted since the 1990s?

Resources mentioned during the video:

Download the presentation

Download the presentation here: Maintenance vs improvement.

Frank Higginson
Hynes Legal
E: frank.higginson@hyneslegal.com.au
P: 07 3193 0500

QLD: Administrator Appointments in Strata – Restoring the ‘Function’ From Dysfunction | Chris Irons, Strata Solve – May 2023

Chris Irons from Strata Solve joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to discuss administrator appointments in strata.

If your strata scheme doesn’t have a committee, or bills aren’t being paid, and problems are mounting, this is essential viewing.

Plenty of people think their strata scheme is dysfunctional and might benefit from having someone come in and restore order. Is that really the answer though? Are there better ways forward? Chris details what it means to have an administrator appointed.

  • what is, and isn’t, a dysfunctional body corporate?

  • the role of the administrator

  • the risks involved in having an administrator appointed

  • some alternatives worth considering

Chris provides a list of best practice tips to (hopefully) get your body corporate back on track.

Resources mentioned during the video:

Download the presentation here: Administrator Appointments in Strata – Restoring the ‘Function’ From Dysfunction.

Chris Irons
Strata Solve
E: chris@stratasolve.com.au
P: 0419 805 898

QLD: Breaking Down Body Corporate Management Contracts | Todd Garsden, Mahoneys and Will Marquand, Tower Body Corporate – March 2023

Todd Garsden from Mahoneys and Will Marquand from Tower Body Corporate joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to talk about the ins and outs of body corporate contracts.

The complexity of Body Corporate management contracts regularly leads to confusion and disagreements over service and fees.

Todd and Will break down the standard clauses in a management agreement, covering:

  • agreed vs professional services

  • the level of indemnity the manager carries

  • how you can end the relationship with your manager if things aren’t going well

  • much more

Why are management contracts structured the way they are? Todd and Will provided a behind the scenes look at the reasons and they presented hints and tips on what to look for when reviewing your next agreement.

Resources mentioned during the video:

Download the presentation here: Common clauses in a body corporate management contract.

Todd Garsden
Mahoneys
E: tgarsden@mahoneys.com.au
P: 07 3007 3753

William Marquand
Tower Body Corporate
E: willmarquand@towerbodycorporate.com.au
P: 07 5609 4924

QLD: Defects, Insurance Claims, Management Rights – Body Corporate Issues for 2023 | Todd Garsden from Mahoneys – February 2023

Todd Garsden from Mahoneys joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to discuss the big topics from 2022 and what effect they will have on the coming year.

What’s happening, what do you need to know, how are things changing? What effects will these changes have on the rest of 2023? We specifically concentrate on the three big ones! The suspected management rights changes, insurance claim delays and, defects and water damage. Todd’s presentation was followed by our regular discussion and Q&As.

For each topic, Todd provided an outline of the current problems, the rumours or discussion happening around the topic and his thoughts on the likely outcome!

  • Management rights – there was significant discussion in 2022 about the term of management rights agreements. We will discuss the various options that may be considered regarding how these changes may take effect.

  • Insurance claim delays – 12 months ago, the South East was inundated with rain and subsequent flooding. 2022 saw many insurance claims refused and delayed. Even those that were approved are yet to be addressed 12 months later.

  • Defects and water damage – the rainfall over the last year has identified every leak in a Queensland strata building. This has led to many disputes over the responsibility for repairs.

  • We even touch on Airbnb and cladding!

  • Todd also provides quite a few important takeaways for each topic.

Resources mentioned during the video:

Download the guide from the presentation here: Queensland Bodies Corporate – What to expect in 2023 and follow along as Will talks you through the line items.

Todd Garsden
Mahoneys
E: tgarsden@mahoneys.com.au
P: 07 3007 3753

QLD Strata Webinars | 2022

QLD: A Deep Dive Into Body Corporate Financials | Will Marquand from Tower Body Corporate – November 2022

Will Marquand from Tower Body Corporate joined Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata for a detailed look at a body corporate budget – what you can expect to see and why it’s there. Lot owners don’t always understand the budget. We’re here to change that in this practical session.

Will runs through practical examples using a sample budget, line by line. We talked about what your body corporate fees are made up of and whether these expenses are necessary. The session even included a few tips on how to control rising costs.

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

  • Different managers have different approaches to setting the budget and that’s ok, as long as best practice is observed

  • Your financials should show the Actuals, Yearly Budget and Next Year’s Budget

  • Whether ‘pay on time discounts’ help or hinder a scheme

  • Which line items make up your body corporate fees? What’s the difference between the Administration fee and Non-Contract fee? Ways to control the Non-Contract fees in your building.

  • Have a question about your financials or don’t understand something? Ask your strata manager what that line item is made up of.

  • How do you know how much to budget for an item?

  • How to handle contingencies when the legislation states there are not to be any contingencies in the budget.

  • What is a Safe Budget for the scheme? Is this the goal of your strata manager?

Resources mentioned during the video:

Download the sample budget from the presentation here: Paradise Towers Budget Example and follow along as Will talks you through the line items.

William Marquand
Tower Body Corporate
E: willmarquand@towerbodycorporate.com.au
P: 07 5609 4924

QLD: Recent Fire Licensing changes – Is your contractor qualified? | Stefan Bauer from Fire Matters – October 2022

Stefan Bauer from Fire Matters joined Will Marquand from Tower Body Corporate (on behalf of LookUpStrata) for a webinar on the recent fire licensing changes in Qld.

Recent Fire Licensing changes in Qld may leave Service Providers unlicensed and building occupiers legally vulnerable. Contrary to previous license changes that saw existing licenses transferred, the recent review requires some individuals and companies to upgrade their technical skills to perform the same work they were previously able to conduct.

Qld legislation requires the occupier/body corporate to ensure that the people and companies they engage are appropriately qualified. Find out how licensing changes may affect you.

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

  • Who is responsible for confirming that a person or company is

  • appropriately Licensed?

  • Fire License Types

  • Who needs what license?

  • Implications of unlicenced Work

  • How to conduct a License Check

Download the slide pack from the presentation here: Recent Fire Licensing changes in QLD.

Stefan Bauer
Fire Matters
E: sbauer@firematters.com.au
P: 07 3071 9088

QLD: Strata and Short-Term Letting: The Facts – And The Options | Michael Kleinschmidt, Stratum Legal + Chris Irons, Strata Solve – August 2022

Michael Kleinschmidt from Stratum Legal and Chris Irons from Strata Solve join Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to discuss facts and debate options for short-term letting such as Airbnb in QLD bodies corporate.

Brisbane City Council’s recent decision to levy as much as 50% extra onto rates for properties used for short-term lettings, such as Airbnb, highlights this issue’s growing challenges, particularly in strata schemes.

Michael and Chris approached short term letting from both the point of view of the owner with a short let apartment and the residents living with short term letting in their building. Hopefully, the presentation will provide you with a different view of short term letting.

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

  • The range of regulatory approaches that have been undertaken in different places

  • What the act says

  • What adjudicators have said

  • Who is responsible at what level?

  • What does the future hold?

  • Chris and Michael’s Top Tips to tackle short term letting problems.

Links mentioned during the video:

Download the slide pack from the presentation here: Strata and Short-Term Letting: The Facts – And The Options.

Michael Kleinschmidt
Stratum Legal
E: info@stratumlegal.com.au
P: 07 5406 1282

Chris Irons
Strata Solve
E: chris@stratasolve.com.au
P: 0419 805 898

QLD: Approval for Renovations, or ‘How not to pinch other people’s land’ | Michael Kleinschmidt, Stratum Legal – July 2022

Michael Kleinschmidt from Stratum Legal joins Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata to explore the approvals for renovations process plus discuss roadblocks, tips and tricks.

This Approval for Renovations webinar is a helpful guide for body corporate managers, committee members and lot owners dealing with proposed lot owner renovations. Michael shows you some of the tripwires to avoid.

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

  • How preparing for a renovation proposal in advance will ensure your first time goes smoother, for everyone

  • Getting into the detail of what is proposed, including understanding the detail you need and the detail you have

  • Is this the renovation of a lot, or does it include common property or even, someone else’s lot?

  • Is it enough to give approval by motion alone, or should you consider a deed?

  • Why statutory easements, including utility infrastructure easements, can be your friend

  • Much more including at least three pieces of “secret sauce lawyer info” and a couple of meanders down related topics such as how to handle requests for installing EV chargers (Hint, Michael has a unique solution for this…)

Links mentioned during the video:

Download the slide pack from the presentation here: Approval for Renovations, or ‘How not to pinch other people’s land’.

Michael Kleinschmidt
Stratum Legal
E: info@stratumlegal.com.au
P: 07 5406 1282

QLD: Creative solutions to your body corporate parking problems | Todd Garsden, Mahoneys and Will Marquand, Tower Body Corporate – May 2022

Todd Garsden, Mahoneys and Will Marquand, Tower Body Corporate join Nikki Jovicic from LookUpStrata for a webinar providing creative solutions to parking problems in your body corporate building.

Whether you live in a highrise, townhouse or duplex – bodies corporate experience parking problems caused by either residents, visitors and/or third parties! During the discussion, Todd and Will offer some practical solutions to these problems so you can get back to enjoying your strata lifestyle.

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

  • The BIG ONE! Can you tow? If not, why not. Is towing an option?

  • Can you restrict parking times for visitor parking bays?

  • How do you turn common property into a parking space?

  • What’s the definition of a vistor?

  • What software packages are on the horizon to assist bodies corporate in dealing with parking issues?

  • We share some case studies of creative solutions that are working in buildings.

Download the slide pack from the presentation here: Dealing with QLD Strata Parking Issues.

Todd Garsden
Mahoneys
E: tgarsden@mahoneys.com.au
P: 07 3007 3753

William Marquand
Tower Body Corporate
E: willmarquand@towerbodycorporate.com.au
P: 07 5609 4924

QLD & NSW: Embedded Energy Networks for Bodies Corporate Webinar + Q&A | Drew McKillican from Altogether Group – February 2022

The importance of knowing your obligations with Embedded Energy Networks

The presentation slides accompanying the session can be accessed via this link.

Drew McKillican
Altogether Group
E: DMcKillican@altogethergroup.com.au

QLD Strata Webinars | 2021

QLD: CCTV in Strata + Q&A | Frank Higginson, Hynes Legal + Chris Irons, Strata Solve – Nov 2021

As well as their presentation about matters concerning CCTV in Strata, Frank and Chris also responded to many of the audience’s questions. Here are just some of the topics discussed during the session: 

  • Who can access CCTV footage and why?

  • Fees charged to access the footage.

  • Whether CCTV recordings are subject to privacy laws?

  • Should your body corporate have a CCTV policy that all residents are aware of?

  • How long do you need to keep CCTV recordings?

During the session, we mentioned the factsheet recently released by the BCCM. You can access the document here: Video Surveillance in a body corporate.

Frank Higginson
Hynes Legal
E: frank.higginson@hyneslegal.com.au
P: 07 3193 0500

Chris Irons
Strata Solve
E: chris@stratasolve.com.au
P: 0419 805 898

QLD: Caretaking Agreements and Extensions + Q&A | Jessica Cannon from Cannon + Co Law – Oct 2021

The information discussed during the session centred around whether a body corporate can reasonably say no to an extension/top up. Jessica shared her thoughts on the matter, explaining how in her opinion, there is already a cap that exists on caretaking and letting agreements – being the maximum 25-year term for Accommodation Module schemes and 10 year term for Standard Modules schemes.

Bodies corporate are under no obligation whatsoever to agree to subsequent rights or options to extend agreements.

  • Bodies corporate do have a say, and are entitled to say ‘no’ to a motion that proposes to insert a subsequent right or option in the agreements.

  • Committees can work with the Caretaker so that the variation supports both parties’ best interests.

As always, the presentation is followed by a short Q&A session where Jessica responds to some very interesting questions submitted by our audience on the topic.

The presentation accompanying the session can be accessed via this link.

Jessica Cannon
Cannon + Co Law
E: jessicacannon@cannonlaw.com.au
P: 07 5554 8560

QLD: Ask Us Anything Q&A | William Marquand, Tower Body Corporate – July 2021

QLD: Solar in Strata Q&A | Michael Kleinschmidt, Stratum Legal – May 2021

During the session, Michael references three flow charts:

  • Installing Solar – as a Body Corporate
  • Installing Solar – as a Lot Owner on Lot or Exclusive Use
  • Installing Solar – as a Lot Owner on Common Property

The flow charts can be accessed here.

Michael Kleinschmidt from Stratum Legal also mentions a useful article, which can be accessed here: Ban the Banners, or not? Installation of Solar PV Cells in Strata

Michael Kleinschmidt
Stratum Legal
E: info@stratumlegal.com.au
P: 07 5406 1282

QLD: New Regulation Modules | Todd Garsden, Mahoneys – March 2021

Todd Garsden, Mahoneys produced a handy, free one page list of new motions that you can do download here: New Motions For A Body Corporate.

Todd Garsden
Mahoneys
E: tgarsden@mahoneys.com.au
P: 07 3007 3753

QLD Strata Webinars | 2020

QLD: Q&A Duplex Insurance | Tyrone Shandiman, Strata Insurance Solutions

QLD: Residential Tenancy Law Reform and COVID | Chris Irons and Frank Higginson, Hynes Legal + Rob Honeycombe, Bees Nees City Realty

QLD: Body Corporate Expenditure during COVID-19 – Admin and Sinking Funds | Chris Irons and Frank Higginson, Hynes Legal

QLD: Strata Levies and COVID-19 – What do you need to know? | Chris Irons and Frank Higginson, Hynes Legal


QLD Strata Webinars | 2016

QLD: Terminating Management Rights Agreements Queensland | Mario Esera


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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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