Your Strata Property With Amanda Farmer

Older buildings often lack modern fire safety protections - and many aren’t even required to submit annual fire safety statements. This week, I’m joined by Marty Hearne and Amelia Causer of Quantum Fire Protection, unpacking the hidden risks in older strata buildings, upcoming changes to Australian Standard 1851, and why voluntary upgrades now can save money (and lives) later.

Reena Van Aalst and I are back with the week’s biggest strata pain points - and the fixes that actually work. From Fair Trading surprise audits to “is this really sustainability?” motions, we share our wins and challenges.

Thinking about solar, batteries or EV charging in your strata building? Now’s the time. In this week’s episode, I sit down with sustainability expert Brent Clark of Wattblock to unpack the rebates, grants, and hacks that can save your building big dollars - including some opportunities to “triple-dip” on funding opportunities.

Cyclone winds don’t just rattle windows - they turn balcony pavers into missiles and push rain straight through walls. Adj. Assoc. Professor Geoff Boughton joins me to share some of the simplest steps strata owners and residents can take to keep water out and people safe during severe weather events.

This week’s episode is a little different. It’s just me, opening up about what I’ve been noticing in our strata space, and in my own life and business. I’m sharing the personal choices I’ve made to protect my health, my relationships, and my time, while still running a thriving business I love. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin or wondered if there’s a better way forward, I think this episode will resonate with you. And if you’re ready to go deeper, join my free online training this Thursday, 4 September. Your access to that training is here.

Reena Van Aalst and I are back on the couch - this time live from the Gold Coast. From a committee asking owners to ignore the Design & Building Practitioners Act, to the insurance claim settled for over $300K, we’re diving into the week’s biggest challenges.

Registered design practitioner Scott Pearse joins me to explain how “$2,000 pieces of paper” are creating a barrier for those wanting to add value to their apartment with a renovation. Plus, why it’s less about the build and more about the politics. If you’re planning a reno in strata, this episode is your reality check.

Reena Van Aalst and I are trading our real-life strata challenges: • Can non-owners attend committee meetings? • Why hybrid loans might surprise your building • Confusion over the $31 inspection fee (GST included?) • An important NCAT win for one of our members – all about rats!

Think you’ve got a month to pay your levies before it matters? Think again. I’m unpacking exactly what “unfinancial” means under the NSW strata law and busting some common myths along the way. Owners - tune in for practical tips to help you stay in good standing, and Managers - these are the technicalities you MUST be across.

I’m covering the legal and practical realities of turning your unused car space into a side hustle. With some owners apparently pocketing up to $850 a month, it’s tempting, but are you risking by-law breaches, insurance issues, or tribunal action? I share some landmark court cases, plus the essential inclusions in any lease agreement.

Reena Van Aalst joins me in a rare in-person chat covering: The real cost of under-resourced strata management Some of the big-ticket items in NSW’s latest strata reforms The empowered owner who chose to sell - finding freedom on the other side of the fight A group of owners launching a bold (and misguided) challenge to a compulsory appointment. An important note: when discussing the NSW law reform, you’ll hear me mention the new, mandatory general meeting motion dealing with “environmental sustainability”. To be clear, this motion is mandatory for all annual general meeting (AGM) agendas from 1 July.

I'm walking you through 5 situations where taking your strata dispute to the Tribunal isn’t just reasonable—it’s necessary. These are real cases, with real lessons, helping you understand when it's time to stop negotiating and take action.

I’m sharing 5 hard truths I’ve learned as a strata lawyer - truths that might just change your mind about commencing legal proceedings (whether that’s in NCAT, or the equivalent in your jurisdiction).

In this week’s podcast episode, I’m joined by Luke Woollard of PILOT Body Corporate, who’s on a mission to shake up the strata industry. From ditching insurance commissions to rethinking the role of strata managers, Luke shares his bold vision for a better, fairer future for strata owners.

When an owner installs a DIY pipe down the side of a building and hacks through a locked tap with a power tool, what can the committee actually do? Reena Van Aalst and I discuss this one. Plus, an owner who fought for over a decade to get justice for his leaking, uninhabitable home is finally ready to relax.

This week, I sit down with Thom Richards, founder of Cohabit, a platform that scores and benchmarks strata buildings using real data. We’re talking about how this tech is bringing much-needed clarity to owners, buyers, and managers alike.

Strata owners across the country are calling for better training, and in NSW, it's about to become mandatory for strata committee members. In this week’s episode, I take a deep dive into my newly released Special Report: The Strata Committee Crisis - Why NSW Apartment Communities Need Smarter Support. I break down the key findings, what they mean for you, and where we go from here.

Strata managers have weathered a tough 12-months, with intense media scrutiny and major law reform. In this week’s podcast, current SCA (NSW) President Robert Anderson joins me to explain the steps SCA is taking to restore trust, support members through the reform process, and tackle misconceptions. From overhauling complaints processes to rolling out mandatory audits and a new Code of Ethics, Robert shares what’s happening behind the scenes — and what’s next for the future of strata.

This week, I sit down with Reena Van Aalst, who explains how she's managing a $50K insurance excess on water ingress claims. I share a $700K insurance claim that turned from a denial into a payout, and we discuss whether or not committee members should be allowed to approve repairs at their own lots.

What if a balcony waterproofing job that used to cost $55k could soon cost over $200k? Helen Kowal and Deborah Lockart join me this week, unpacking the impact of proposed 2025 updates to the National Construction Code. They're sounding the alarm for strata owners and asking the government to take action before it’s too late. This is a must-listen for strata owners, managers, and anyone planning building repairs.