OCN Policy Director Karen Stiles said the impacts of homeowners footing the bill of increased costs had “been as bad as suicide, marriage breakups (and) ill health”. Read the article here or https://ocn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/House-of-pain-Construction-firms-collapse-at-record-rate.pdf
Multiple factors account for a successful move, says Janette Corcoran, the Victorian director of the peak apartment-owners body, the Owners Corporation Network, and chair of her 42-level tower in Docklands, Victoria Point, which has more than 1000 residents, as well as serviced apartments, offices and retail outlets. “Whether downsizing works or not depends on the push and pull factors,” she says. “One family were feeling unsafe in their house in one [...]
The recent HighLife Victoria Expo featured a range of activities, including webinars, stalls, and forums – along with a Listening Post. Operated by the Owners’ Corporation Network (OCN) and Strata Community Association (SCA) Victoria, this initiative gathered insights from expo attendees – owners, tenants and committee members – regarding their most pressing issues and desires for change within the residential strata sector. Read article:> https://www.docklandsnews.com.au/highlife-expo-listening-to-the-voices-of-residential-strata/
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/
27 OCTOBER 2023 OCN's Karen Stiles talks to Dom Knight about the radical Undertaking between the NSW Building Commissioner and the Imperial Tower Financier to refund off the plan deposits to around 100 purchasers. Listen:>
27 OCTOBER 2023 A landmark deal has been struck allowing people who bought apartments with major defects to get their deposit back. The deal will apply to more than a hundred people who purchased units in Sydney's Imperial Towers. Described as a 'radical' first for New South Wales, the breakthrough is expected to make waves across the finance industry. Watch the full video:> HERE
27 OCTOBER 2023 Nearly 100 people who purchased defective apartments in a Western Sydney development will have their contracts rescinded and deposits returned under a landmark agreement. Key points: Government inspectors found "serious defects" in 2021 and stopped buyers from moving in Developer said "serious defects" had been rectified prior to the receiver being appointed Apartments can't be sold for 10 years, and future buyers must be alerted to any defects [...]
6 MARCH 2023 As more Australians chase a new home ownership dream, these tips show why a smaller abode could better protect your interests. Experts suggest anyone planning to buy off the plan should do all the relevant research. Check the developer and builder, visit past projects and even knock on doors to ask residents about their experience. “It’s better to pay a premium for an apartment from a reputable developer [...]
In 2015 and 2019 the NSW government introduced additional protections for purchasers entering into off the plan property contracts.
24 AUGUST 2022 The NSW government has reinstated Property Services Commissioner John Minns less than four weeks after terminating him from the same role. Karen Stiles, executive director of the Owners Corporation Network, an advocacy group for strata owners, welcomed Mr Minns’ reinstatement. “The property sector is increasingly complex, as are the needs of people buying, selling or renting their home in the rapidly expanding apartment sector,” Ms Stiles said. “Leadership from [...]
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