OCN Executive Director

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So far OCN Executive Director has created 181 blog entries.

Liberals to establish Strata and Building Commissioner

2024-11-04T18:19:14+11:00

Speaking at a Public Forum last night on Strata Matters organised by the Strata Community Association ACT and the Owners Corporation Network, Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee said that under a Liberal Government a Strata & Building Commissioner will be established.  The Commissioner would be a single point of contact for people living in apartment and townhouse complexes and assist people facing challenges and issues in strata living, including defects and building [...]

Liberals to establish Strata and Building Commissioner2024-11-04T18:19:14+11:00

Call for Strata Corporations Inquiry

2024-10-24T20:19:34+11:00

After Four Corners investigated the hidden fees, secret kickbacks and developer deals strata companies were using, consumer groups are calling for action. CHOICE and the Owners Corporation Network have signed an open letter to Treasurer Jim Chalmers. They're calling for a government-instructed inquiry to look into the conduct of strata corporations. They'd also like the inquiry to investigate if current laws were adequate enough to deal with the issues raised by Four Corners. [...]

Call for Strata Corporations Inquiry2024-10-24T20:19:34+11:00

Consumer groups demand federal inquiry into strata industry

2024-10-24T20:20:08+11:00

Ten top consumer groups are demanding the federal treasurer call an inquiry into the strata management industry. It follows an ABC Four Corners investigation that found many apartment owners are being ripped off by their strata management firms. The head of the Owners Corporation Network says it's time for the federal government to step in. Read full article:> Top consumer groups say 'it's time' for urgent action on strata industry, demand federal [...]

Consumer groups demand federal inquiry into strata industry2024-10-24T20:20:08+11:00

Growing calls for a federal inquiry into the strata industry

2024-10-24T14:33:07+11:00

OCN spoke to the ABC following the explosive Four Corners episode on 9 September 2024. NSW Housing Minister, Rose Jackson, supported an inquiry and said the NSW government was willing to work with its federal colleagues. The CEO of the NSW Real Estate Institute supported the call for an Inquiry to rid the industry of rorts and restore trust in the many good managers 'who would be cringing' after watching the [...]

Growing calls for a federal inquiry into the strata industry2024-10-24T14:33:07+11:00

Consumer Groups Demand Government-Directed Inquiry into Strata Management Industry

2024-10-24T11:02:29+11:00

A coalition of leading consumer advocacy associations has today called on Federal Treasurer, Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP to initiate a government-directed public inquiry, led by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission or the Productivity Commission, into the strata management industry. The coalition cites systemic harmful practices within the industry that compromise consumer rights and community expectations. Noting recent media reports of unethical, questionable or unlawful practices, the groups urge a [...]

Consumer Groups Demand Government-Directed Inquiry into Strata Management Industry2024-10-24T11:02:29+11:00

Money Magazine Strata Special

2024-09-05T17:03:46+10:00

OCN contributed to a 2 part Money Magazine September issue look at strata owning. In 9 Strata Myths Busted by Tom Watson, OCN talked about the pros and cons of being on a strata committee.  We 'busted' the myths that by-laws are set in stone, and that you have to attend a general meeting in person to vote.  And we debunked the myth that tenants have no say, explaining that in [...]

Money Magazine Strata Special2024-09-05T17:03:46+10:00

Sydney strata manager appeals 10-year ban for accessing funds without approval

2024-08-07T12:27:03+10:00

One of Sydney’s highest profile strata managers is appealing against a ruling that saw him banned for 10 years for a multitude of allegations, including failing to act with honesty, fairness and professionalism and accessing apartment buildings’ funds without approval. That same manager – despite having numerous complaints against him with the state government tribunal – had also, by the same body, been given total control over schemes that were in [...]

Sydney strata manager appeals 10-year ban for accessing funds without approval2024-08-07T12:27:03+10:00

Sydney strata manager banned for a decade, company stripped of licence by NSW Fair Trading

2024-07-30T17:40:19+10:00

Sydney strata manager Whitney Wang has been banned from practising for 10 years and his company has been stripped of its licence. Mr Wang was the strata manager at the centre of an explosive meeting at the embattled Vicinity apartment complex in Canterbury in 2021 that became so hostile the police were called. He has also been ousted as strata manager twice in the past two years after owners at separate [...]

Sydney strata manager banned for a decade, company stripped of licence by NSW Fair Trading2024-07-30T17:40:19+10:00

Strata law reform on the cards as NSW Fair Trading swamped with complaints

2024-07-09T15:58:30+10:00

NSW Fair Trading received 965 complaints about strata agents in the five years to 2023, most commonly related to rules of conduct and finances. In the past year, there were 273 complaints against strata agents, compared to 16 against strata executive committees and 43 against strata owners corporations.Owners Corporation Network Executive Director Karen Stiles said many owners were in “a world of pain” thanks to limited regulation over the sector.“We certainly [...]

Strata law reform on the cards as NSW Fair Trading swamped with complaints2024-07-09T15:58:30+10:00
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