News
Straight from Hartley’s team, our partners and the Commissioner’s office.
My building was certified for its fire compliance when it was built – why am I being told there are fire defects?
As part of a development receiving approval from Council to proceed to be...
Sunken Exclusive Use Courtyard – isn’t the Body Corporate Responsible?
In this month’s article, we consider the case of an owner who, living in a...
Big power price savings confirmed in landmark official report
Lower prices. It’s not a claim, it’s a fact. The Australian Energy Regulator’s...
Are Bodies Corporate managing repairs and maintenance effectively?
The catastrophic partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Florida on...
Optimizing Maintenance Job Requests and Quote Inquiries for Efficient Cost Savings
As experienced plumbers who have been providing services to Body Corporates...
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred: Navigating Insurance Claims and Recovery for Strata Properties
Ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred made its presence felt across Southeast Queensland,...
Cash Settlement and Delay in Fixing a Unit
Following TC Alfred, the strata industry is bracing for an influx of storm...
What are the benefits of double-glazed windows?
‘Double glazing’ may sound like it has something to do with the world’s...
Enjoy Your Holiday—We’ll Let You Know When It’s Time to Vote!
With the Easter break and school holidays coming up, many unit owners will be...
Pet of the Month – Winners Announced
The Pet of the Month is... Name: Benji Benji wins a Hartley's Goodie bag, with...
Enforcing By-laws and Committee Discretion
This newsletter’s feature case involves a body corporate at picturesque Tugun,...
2025 Construction Cost Increases: The Importance of Updating Your Sinking Fund Forecast
A Sinking Fund Forecast is a vital tool for ensuring the financial health and...
Upcoming changes to ARPC to support QLD Strata Property Owners
The Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation (ARPC) is a government-backed...
Concrete Spalling and the Body Corporate’s Duty of Care
Most committees understand the body corporate has legislative obligations...
Can I Turn My Carport/Garage Into a Separate Dwelling to Rent it Out?
As the cost of living continues to rise, we are seeing owners turn to other...
Who Has to Trim the Massive Tree in my Courtyard? The Tree is Protected by Council – Surely the Body Corporate Has to Help Me?
Generally speaking, most new developments within the local council areas will...
New Meter Requirements for Queensland: What You Need to Know
As part of ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency, enhance grid...
The Importance of Roof Inspections and Regular Gutter Cleans
We all know this time of year we experience the normal summer storm events...
Making the Cut: My First Day as a Glazier.
Making the Cut: My First Day as a Glazier* Think glaziers monotonously replace...
The Importance of Safety Switches on All Common Area Circuits in Queensland Apartment Buildings.
In Queensland, safety is paramount in residential buildings, particularly in...
Grease, Fat and Food Blockages Which are Generated from Domestic Kitchen Sinks.
All domestic kitchen sinks are something that are used on a daily basis and...
A Fine Line Between an Improvement to or a Disposal of Common Property.
Rob is a dentist. For those of you who are my vintage, you’ll understand why I...
Council Enforcement Notice – Case Study – Part 3
For those catching up, this is the third instalment of our case study of...
My bathroom ceiling is leaking – is it the neighbour above me or the Body Corporate that’s responsible?
This is a common yet tricky issue that we often see as body corporate...
You Cannot Stop Maintaining Your Building In A Cost-Of-Living Crisis
In the face of rising costs, many community title schemes across South-East...
Council Enforcement Notice – Case Study – Part 2
For those catching up, this is the second instalment of our case study of...
Car Parking Stuff Up – How to Change Exclusive Use Allocations in a Community Management Statement
In this month’s case update, we learn about Summit Square, and the hapless...
Pet of the Month – Winners Announced
The Pet of the Month is... Name: Millie from Cascade Gardens Leisure &...
How to Restore Paintwork After Water Damage
From heavy rainfall to damaging floods, towns and communities across...
Stop the Body Corporate – I Want to Get Off!
There was a lot happening in 1965 - the invention of the internet, Kevlar and...
Hot Water Matters
The colder months are creeping up which means your hot water system will be...
How Does Vote Now Electronic Voting Foster Emotional Connection?
Convenience: The online and app platforms provided by Vote Now make it...
Protecting Our Water Supply: The Importance of Backflow Prevention Devices
Ensuring the safety and quality of our drinking water is a critical...
The Dawn of the Solar Age: Solar Power’s Unstoppable Rise
Our team at Hum Energy has taken a deep dive into Solar Power. The Economist’s...
Council Enforcement Notice – Part 1
This is the first part in in our practical problem-solving series, in which...
Can the Body Corporate fix a burst pipe for which an owner is responsible?
In December 2022 the respondents noticed a large water leak on their driveway...
Protecting the Body Corporate’s deposit for works.
An unfortunate reality of current economic pressures is that construction...
Are You Storm Ready?
A storm emergency plan for strata communities. Understanding your insurance...
Understanding the New Legislation for Scheme Termination.
Effective from May 1st, 2024, the newly introduced Body Corporate and...
My Fellow Committee Members Refuse to fix the Common Property – Help!
It is unfortunately the case that from time to time a body corporate manager...
Neighbourly Connections: Updating Contact Info with Body Corporate & Agents
Take 5 minutes if you see a new owner or tenant in your building and say...
Emergency Lighting in a Body Corporate
Why is emergency lighting important in body corporate schemes? Safety and...
Electronic Voting in the Body Corporate Strata Industry
Electronic voting in strata meetings has gained popularity due to its...
One Pet or Two? Can By-law Limit Pet ownership to just one Pet?
Faithful readers of this publication will be aware the by-laws which attempt...
New BCCM Act Amendments: Streamlined Pet Request Timeframes and Their Implications for Bodies Corporate.
Recently we highlighted some of the key the amendments to the BCCM Act which...
Default Market Offer and The 2024-2025 Draft Determination
It's that time of year again, and we're gearing up for changes in electricity...
Common Defects in Strata Properties – The Benefits of Early Intervention
Buying your first strata property is attractive when it comes to...
Pet of the Month – Winners Announced
The Pet of the Month is... Name: Millie from Cascade Gardens Leisure &...
Banning Solar Panel Installation in a Body Corporate
A common misconception is that a body corporate is unable to ban solar panel...
BCCMA Changes Start 1 May 2024
The Queensland Government recently announced that the amendments passed into...
Embracing Strata Democracy: The Rise of Online Voting and the Future of Community Decision-Making
Strata democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary...
The Value of a Trusted Strata Manager in Navigating the Complexity of Strata Insurance
Strata insurance can often feel like navigating a labyrinth of complexities,...
Asbestos Awareness and Compliance: A Crucial Focus for Body Corporate Owners
In recent headlines, the issue of asbestos has once again taken center stage,...
Pet of the Month – Winners Announced
The Pet of the Month is... Name: Ziggy from BAUHINIA VILLAS Ziggy wins a...
Toe the line before you tow.
There’s always a lot of hype in the build-up to legislative change, even when...
Dilapidation Reporting for Strata Property Owners: A whole new approach.
Link to video: https://youtu.be/yJI7Y8yc_Rg In the complex world of...
Lithium-ion batteries in Strata Complexes.
With the increasing prevalence of E Scooters, E-Bikes, and the like in our...
Removing a Pet from a Scheme – What is an Unreasonable Amount of Barking.
Readers may have personally experienced the stress associated with hearing a...
To tow or not to tow – should the Committee seek a declaration from the Commissioner’s Office?
As we know in bodies corporate, the three P’s of constant pain are Pets,...
Vacant Flooding Syndrome: A Cautionary Tale of Neglected Precautions during Holiday Getaways
It is almost fitting that this subject has been raised at this time of the...
Drastically Reduce Energy Costs by up to 77% with Energy Efficient Windows
Windows are more than just interesting elements of a building. Not only do...
Energy Data Logging
Are you thinking of installing an Electric Vehicle network to your complex, or...
When Can a Committee Tow a Vehicle?
It is with great pleasure that Hartley’s confirm legislation assented on 22...
Elevating Your Understanding on the Vitality of Comprehensive Building Insurance Amid Queensland’s Dynamic Weather
Queenslanders are recognising the paramount importance of comprehensive...
Navigating the Rising Tide: A Comprehensive Guide to Mitigating Home Risks, from Insurance Choices to Plumbing Precautions
The cost of living is rising across the board with fuel, electricity, gas and...
3 Ways to Save Money When Hiring Professional Painting Contractors
Are you considering a fresh coat of paint for your property? Well, like most...
What’s happening in Wholesale Energy Markets
1. The wholesale energy markets have been through a significant crisis over...
The Body Corporate wants access to my unit – do I have to provide access?
Short answer – yes you must. Body corporate buildings are created using two...
Private Eyes are Watching You!
Can a body corporate install cameras on the common property and who has a...
Utility Infrastructure is in my allocated storage space – can I force the body corporate to move it?
In the recent case Waves Redcliffe[1], owners of an exclusive use storage area...
Decoding Work Health & Safety Duty: Lessons from a Recent NSW District Court Case
In a recent case heard in the NSW District Court, the spotlight was firmly on...
Power Capacity in Older Buildings
You might be scratching your head wondering about the power capacity in your...
Water Damage Can be Avoided
Strata buildings are complex structures with key components like water pipes,...
Getting the Most out of Your Common Property – Part 2
When it comes to return on investment everyone has their own rules for...
Getting the Most out of Your Common Property – Part 1
When it comes to return on investment everyone has their own rules for...
Understanding the ARPC Cyclone Pool and how it benefits strata property owners in Queensland
The Australian government has introduced new legislation in the form of the...
Cold Water Supply Isolation Valves and Flexi Hoses, Know Where & How to Isolate Water in an Emergency Situation
In the grand scheme of things, it's not very often that the cold water supply...
Don’t fence me in! A look at the perils of erecting a fence without a grant of exclusive use from your body corporate
When a unit or townhouse Building Format Plan complex is being planned and...
Pet of the Month – Winners Announced
The Pet of the Month is... Name: Duke Duke wins a Hartleys Goodie bag, with...
Penthouse Precipitation Problems.
This month’s article of interest focuses on a case where respondent Owners of...
Our Guide to the Most Common Types Of Glass.
When the Mesopotamians first invented glass around 4,000 years ago, little did...
The Vital Role of Maintaining Common Property.
The importance of upkeeping common areas within a body corporate cannot be...
Proposed Amendments to the BCCMA – What might be in store.
Recently the Attorney-General introduced a Bill to make significant changes to...
5 Tips for Better By-laws
The cynics amongst us might complain there’s no utility in creating...
Plumbing Considerations in Multi-Dwelling Structures: Layout, Pipework, and Sound Issues
When it comes to the plumbing requirements of various dwellings, their layout...
How to Maintain Painted Walls to Extend their Lifespan
By Higgins Coatings Have you recently completed paintwork at your strata...
Building a Brand New Town House in an Existing Scheme
This month’s case of note centres around applicant owners of a stand-alone...
Clearing the Air: Navigating Smoking Regulations in QLD Strata Communities
As the sun continues to shine upon our beautiful state, we are reminded of the...
Analysing Queensland’s Electricity Default Market Offer and Price Increases in 2023
The electricity market in Queensland has seen a significant price increase in...
Electric Vehicle Charging in Strata Communities (EV Chargers)
Electric vehicle ownership is rapidly becoming the way of the future as the...
Short-Term Letting Woes
Short-term letting has been in the news again recently, with Brisbane City...
How Can a Body Corporate Manage Limited Parking Spaces?
Many schemes only have a limited number of visitor parking spaces, and often...
Pet of the Month – Winners Announced
So many pet pics – so little time! Before we announce the winner of Pet of the...
Risking it All With an Unlicensed Contractor
A recent conviction at the Brisbane Magistrate’s Court has been a wake up call...
The Body Corporate wants access to my unit – do I have to provide access?
Short answer – – Yes, in some instances you must Where a body corporate is...
Private Eyes are Watching You!
Can a body corporate install cameras on the common property and who has a...
Building valuations and underinsurance – who carries the risk?
More so now than ever, strata properties are increasingly becoming at risk of...
Are Muzzles An Automatic Requirement For “Some Breeds”?
Continuing on with our love of pets this month – a question which sometimes...
Concrete Cancer and Duty of Care
It is often surprising for our Committees to learn that aside from legislative...
Hot Water Matters
The colder months are creeping up which means your hot water system will be...