Recent Job Examples
The job:
I was engaged as a consultant, to provide an independent assessment in relation to the removal of trees and the rectification of a fence situated on the boundary between an owner’s corporation and several private properties.
The strata scheme has a serious issue with the overflow of raw sewerage caused by tree roots growing into their old clay pipes. Most of the trees causing the issue are situated on the neighboring properties, rendering the neighbor's liable for them. Also the trees are impacting the boundary fence requiring parts of the fence to be replaced once the trees are removed.
Representing the Strata Committee, I investigated a claim from one neighboring property owner agreeing to remove the trees on their side, on the proviso that the owner’s corporation agreed to pay for not only a new fence, but a higher non standard fence.
Conclusion: The owner’s corporation are only obliged to pay for half the removal cost of one tree that is on both properties and half the cost to replace the damaged sections of the boundary fence approx 5 meters. They are not obligated to adhere to the request by the neighbors to replace approx 90 meters of fence with a new and higher fence. The neighbors are also required to pay for the removal of the trees which are causing the sewerage problems for the owner’s corporation.
Shane Thompson. #savedownersthousands
I was engaged as a consultant, to provide an independent assessment in relation to the removal of trees and the rectification of a fence situated on the boundary between an owner’s corporation and several private properties.
The strata scheme has a serious issue with the overflow of raw sewerage caused by tree roots growing into their old clay pipes. Most of the trees causing the issue are situated on the neighboring properties, rendering the neighbor's liable for them. Also the trees are impacting the boundary fence requiring parts of the fence to be replaced once the trees are removed.
Representing the Strata Committee, I investigated a claim from one neighboring property owner agreeing to remove the trees on their side, on the proviso that the owner’s corporation agreed to pay for not only a new fence, but a higher non standard fence.
Conclusion: The owner’s corporation are only obliged to pay for half the removal cost of one tree that is on both properties and half the cost to replace the damaged sections of the boundary fence approx 5 meters. They are not obligated to adhere to the request by the neighbors to replace approx 90 meters of fence with a new and higher fence. The neighbors are also required to pay for the removal of the trees which are causing the sewerage problems for the owner’s corporation.
Shane Thompson. #savedownersthousands
The job:
One owner in a townhouse complex in Waverton, had been in dispute with the neighbouring house owner for several years over trees that were blocking a view of the harbour. Said owner involved the Committee, who didn't understand that the dispute was not a common property matter and as such, not the owners corporation obligation to resolve. They however expended funds to obtain several kinds of reports in an attempt to get the neighbour to comply with a few requests - mainly remove trees that were blocking the view. Having been briefed by my client (the strata owner) who was most upset that new plants had been planted (on the neighbours side), I went on site to attempt mediation. The neighbour filled me in on the entire history and it was evident that this neighbour was not going to budge, nor was he required by law to remove these trees at this point in time.
Outcome: My report to the Committee assisted their decision to end the dispute by advising this one owner, that his ongoing dispute with the next door neighbour was feeble and not in the best interest of the owners corporation. #notourproblem
Paula Byrnes
One owner in a townhouse complex in Waverton, had been in dispute with the neighbouring house owner for several years over trees that were blocking a view of the harbour. Said owner involved the Committee, who didn't understand that the dispute was not a common property matter and as such, not the owners corporation obligation to resolve. They however expended funds to obtain several kinds of reports in an attempt to get the neighbour to comply with a few requests - mainly remove trees that were blocking the view. Having been briefed by my client (the strata owner) who was most upset that new plants had been planted (on the neighbours side), I went on site to attempt mediation. The neighbour filled me in on the entire history and it was evident that this neighbour was not going to budge, nor was he required by law to remove these trees at this point in time.
Outcome: My report to the Committee assisted their decision to end the dispute by advising this one owner, that his ongoing dispute with the next door neighbour was feeble and not in the best interest of the owners corporation. #notourproblem
Paula Byrnes
The job:
I attended a strata building in Randwick with a request to assess the immediate safety of a glass-paneled balustrade on the 5th floor. The cleaner called the Strata Manager to say that there was a big gaping hole on one of the balconies on the 5th floor, however the cleaner couldn't work out which unit. The Strata Manager sent an urgent work order to a prominent glass company, who went on site and boarded up the hole, however this glass company refused to replace the glass without a written specification of the type of glass. The Strata Manager called us for help.
Outcome: With qualifications in glazing, I was able to ascertain both the exact unit and the type of glass. The glass was repaired before the tenant knew anything had occurred. #dodgyglaziers
Shane Thompson
I attended a strata building in Randwick with a request to assess the immediate safety of a glass-paneled balustrade on the 5th floor. The cleaner called the Strata Manager to say that there was a big gaping hole on one of the balconies on the 5th floor, however the cleaner couldn't work out which unit. The Strata Manager sent an urgent work order to a prominent glass company, who went on site and boarded up the hole, however this glass company refused to replace the glass without a written specification of the type of glass. The Strata Manager called us for help.
Outcome: With qualifications in glazing, I was able to ascertain both the exact unit and the type of glass. The glass was repaired before the tenant knew anything had occurred. #dodgyglaziers
Shane Thompson
Th job:
Acting Senior Strata Manager for a Director in Five Dock. This involved facilitating the AGM with a motion to terminate the current Strata Manager.
Outcome: I successfully appeased disgruntled owners and provided options as to the best way forward. #happyowners
Paula Byrnes
Acting Senior Strata Manager for a Director in Five Dock. This involved facilitating the AGM with a motion to terminate the current Strata Manager.
Outcome: I successfully appeased disgruntled owners and provided options as to the best way forward. #happyowners
Paula Byrnes
ABN 28 603 062