OCN in the Media

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Philip has been waiting 10 years for strata to fix a leak in his apartment

2024-02-05T15:32:03+11:00

3 FEBRUARY 2024 For a decade Philip Baigent endured water pooling on his balcony and leaking into his flat, warping the floorboards and causing mould. Karen Stiles, the executive director of the Owners’ Corporation Network of Australia, says governments set up strata as a housing model, but “don’t support it in any way”. “For example, owners’ corporations are not eligible for disaster relief because that’s only available to individuals and small [...]

Philip has been waiting 10 years for strata to fix a leak in his apartment2024-02-05T15:32:03+11:00

‘Confidence is waning’: New strata commissioner’s urgent task to support high-rise city

2024-02-05T15:39:47+11:00

2 FEBRUARY 2024 A plan to build millions of apartments across Sydney will falter without major changes to the laws underpinning ownership and management of the properties, the state’s new strata commissioner warns. “The whole issue around housing supply, around affordability, and ultimately social and economic wellbeing, requires strata to be successful and requires people to have confidence in strata, and I guess the concern is there are areas where confidence [...]

‘Confidence is waning’: New strata commissioner’s urgent task to support high-rise city2024-02-05T15:39:47+11:00

OCN talks Lithium-ion battery fire risk with ABC Newcastle’s Paul Turton

2024-01-22T16:06:01+11:00

Following another e-bike fire last week, this time in Bondi, thankfully no one was injured – but the risks are high for devices that have been modified or use incorrect chargers.  Fred Tuckwell, Chair, OCN spoke this morning with Paul Turton Listen to the interview:>https://ocn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024_01_22-ABC-NEWCASTLE-interview-with-FT-Apartment-fires-ABC.mp3  Related article https://ocn.org.au/e-bike-fire-risk-expert-webinar/

OCN talks Lithium-ion battery fire risk with ABC Newcastle’s Paul Turton2024-01-22T16:06:01+11:00

Chinese developer ordered to fix defects in 900 apartment complex

2024-01-23T14:42:53+11:00

17 JANUARY 2024 People who bought into the Lachlan’s Line apartment complex in Sydney’s North were promised a “prestigious new community”. Now they’ve discovered the basement floors in all four blocks are at risk of collapse. Karen Stiles, executive director of the advocacy group Owners Corporation Network welcomed the order which follows increased scrutiny of apartment developments.  The Macquarie Park apartment’s car parks on the basement level are at risk of [...]

Chinese developer ordered to fix defects in 900 apartment complex2024-01-23T14:42:53+11:00

Owners Corporation Network proposes new e-bike, e-scooter rules to reduce fire risk in apartments

2024-01-15T14:52:49+11:00

Owners of e-bikes or e-scooters will not be allowed to charge their batteries inside their apartments under rules developed for strata schemes concerned about fire risk. OCN has drafted a model by-law on the management of e-bikes and e-scooters after a series of fires sparked by lithium-ion batteries.  Read the full article published on the ABC website here You can also listen to the ABC Morning Show interview here Related article [...]

Owners Corporation Network proposes new e-bike, e-scooter rules to reduce fire risk in apartments2024-01-15T14:52:49+11:00

OCN Talks Short Term Letting with 2GB’s Bill Woods

2023-12-11T12:33:12+11:00

11 DECEMBER 2023 Following a report of people renting multiple properties in order to sub-let on the short term market, Bill Woods dug a little deeper.  Do landlords know if their property is being short term let?  How can they find out if it's being short term let?  What can governments do to curb the commodification of housing?  All will be revealed! Listen to the interview:>  Related content:> https://ocn.org.au/ocn-opinion-piece-short-term-letting-nsw-government-backs-airbnb-in-final-policy/

OCN Talks Short Term Letting with 2GB’s Bill Woods2023-12-11T12:33:12+11:00

Treacy left Mascot Towers four years ago. Now she’s $1m in debt and has brain tumours

2023-12-07T14:44:55+11:00

7 DECEMBER 2023 Desperate apartment owners in Sydney’s notorious Mascot Towers are appealing for the state government to buy their defect-riddled building after the NSW Supreme Court slammed shut the gate on their last-ditch exit strategy. The apartment owners’ peak organisation, the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), is also calling for action. Executive director Karen Stiles said: “The OCN has sadly witnessed the four-and-a-half-year Mascot Towers debacle, caused by wholesale regulatory failure. [...]

Treacy left Mascot Towers four years ago. Now she’s $1m in debt and has brain tumours2023-12-07T14:44:55+11:00

Elizabeth Farrelly on the Sydneyist Radio Program

2024-01-10T15:16:05+11:00

Karen Stiles talked with Dr Elizabeth Farrelly, Sydney-based author, architecture critic, essayist, columnist and speaker. We canvassed topics such as tips and tricks for buying off the plan, the scourge of building defects, a new phrase "strata-induced poverty", and the wonderful strata living construct. Listen to the 23/11/23 segment:> https://eastsidefm.org/thesydneyist/ Related information:> https://ocn.org.au/off-the-plan-contracts-for-residential-properties/

Elizabeth Farrelly on the Sydneyist Radio Program2024-01-10T15:16:05+11:00

Elephant In The Room Property Podcast

2023-11-17T10:46:06+11:00

30 OCTOBER 2023 OCN discussed "Strata Properties: What's Changing and Why? with buyers agent Veronica Morgan and mortgage broker Chris Bates. Listen here:> https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/304 00:00 - Introduction 01:25 - Who is Karen Stiles? 02:26 - Building commission changes in NSW and its impact on property owners 08:02 - Complexities, challenges, and risks in strata property insurance 13:21 - Can the strata commissioner contribute to improved strata property management? 14:48 - [...]

Elephant In The Room Property Podcast2023-11-17T10:46:06+11:00
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