Paddocks Press – May 2022
The May 2022 edition of Paddocks Press is now available.
Jennifer Paddock rejoins Paddocks
We are thrilled to announce that Jennifer, Graham and Mandy’s daughter, is back from Australia and has recently rejoined the Paddocks team. Now a dual-qualified lawyer with experience working as a strata title managing agent and a solicitor in New South Wales, Jennifer brings a wealth of relevant knowledge and expertise to Paddocks. This builds…
Four fundamental CSOS issues explained
Community scheme stakeholders are not happy with the Community Schemes Ombud Service (“CSOS”). There is an ever-increasing number of complaints about poor service and operating practices. An example of one such criticism is Auren’s article in this edition of Paddocks Press. It is legitimate to criticise a state-owned National Public Entity such as the CSOS…
Is the current CSOS dispute resolution process lawful?
On the 23rd of June 2020, during the early stages of the National COVID-19 Lockdown, the Community Schemes Ombud Service (“CSOS”) published an amendment to the Practice Directive on Dispute Resolution, 2019 which continues to apply to this day. The amendment boiled down to doing away with the requirement of face-to-face adjudication proceedings and introduced…
Q&A – 2022 05
By the Paddocks Club team Below are examples of two questions on the Paddocks Club discussion forum, to show you what is available to our Community members! Owners requesting bank statements and management accounts Member’s question: Good day Paddocks, The bank statements and management accounts are sent to the trustees monthly. However owners are now…
Paddocks Press – April 2022
The April 2022 edition of Paddocks Press is now available.
Withholding a levy clearance certificate until plans are approved
AN OWNER sells a unit. The trustees know that some of the owner’s building works are not approved. These may be in an exclusive use area or on the common property. They may also be unauthorised lofts, roof decks or other alterations to the exterior of a section. Can the trustees or managing agent issue…
Paying for maintenance to exclusive use areas – the proper way
Two of the key subjects of disputes in sectional title schemes are funding maintenance works in the scheme and exclusive use areas. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at the spot where these two intersect – namely the funding of maintenance to be done on these exclusive use areas. If you are thinking…
Q&A – 2022 04
By the Paddocks Club team Below are examples of two questions on the Paddocks Club discussion forum, to show you what is available to our Community members! Does a casting vote apply when there are only two trustees? Member’s question: Good day Paddocks, If a scheme only has two trustees does the chairman still have…
Paddocks Press – March 2022
The March 2022 edition of Paddocks Press is now available.
A Closer Look at The Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority
Last month I highlighted elements of the code of conduct that came into effect on 1 February 2022 under the Property Practitioners Act of 2019 (the ‘PP Act’). This article is an overview of the PP Act’s provisions that apply to managing agents and paid trustees. Introduction The Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (the ‘PPRA’) falls…
Appealing a CSOS adjudication order is not your only option
It has been almost six years since the Community Schemes Ombud Service Act (“the CSOS Act”) came into operation and by now it is generally understood by most stakeholders in community schemes that any person who is dissatisfied by an adjudicator’s order, may appeal to the High Court, but only on a question of law,…
Q&A – 2022 03
By the Paddocks Club team Below are examples of two questions on the Paddocks Club discussion forum, to show you what is available to our Community members! Patio Waterproofing: Leak from balcony into lower section – must the Body Corporate get involved? Member’s question: Good day Paddocks, We have a body corporate where the balconies…
Paddocks Press – February 2022
The February 2022 edition of Paddocks Press is now available.
A Code of Conduct applicable to managing agents and paid trustees
The Property Practitioners Act of 2019 came into effect on 1 February 2022. The Act itself has 77 sections in 11 chapters, and the regulations include a further 41 headings in 8 chapters. The reason people involved in community scheme management should read this lengthy Act, perhaps selectively, is that it regulates those who manage…