In The Media
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Sydney Apartment Owners Lose Final Bid to Kick Non-residents out of Car Park
1 December 2018, Sydney Morning Herald (SMH)
Adrian Mueller, of JS Mueller & Co Lawyers, said “the case stemmed from a letter from the City of Sydney. and as a result of that letter, the strata committee introduced a by-law. Ultimately, I think the case is an example of what can happen when the local council issues a development consent in unclear terms.”
Read the full Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) article here.
‘Completely Useless’: Fight Over Sydney CBD Laneway has its Roots in Convict Times
16 November 2018, Domain Commercial Real Estate
Successfully represented by JS Mueller & Co Lawyers, an ongoing row between neighbours that back on to the historic laneway in the Sydney CBD escalated when the laneway’s owners put up a gate at the entrance restricting its use. Easements were challenged but the Supreme Court ruled they were valid.
Read the full Domain Commercial Real Estate article here.
Most Important Decision Concerning Building Defects in Many Years
1 September 2018, Australian Construction Law Newsletter (ACLN)
The NSW Court of Appeal has handed down the most important decision concerning building defects in many years. The court’s decision is good and means that builders and developers can be held liable for design defects.
The full article has been published in the reputable industry Australian Construction Law Newsletter (ACLN) and it can be read here.
Removing Illegally Parked Vehicles
21 June 2018, Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) News
Are owners corporations powerless to remove illegally parked vehicles from visitor parking spaces?
On 30 November 2016, the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (Strata Act) commenced which allows regulations to be made that confer power on an owners corporation to dispose of goods (including motor vehicles) left on common property. So what does this all mean?
Read the full Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) article here.
Growing Our Business Means Growing Our Team of Strata Experts
15 June 2018, News Release
JS Mueller & Co has been serving the strata industry for almost four decades, since 1979, and as our business grows, so does our team of strata experts.
As such, we’re proud to announce the addition of three new strata lawyers to our team.
Check out our team of strata experts and read the full news release here.
How to Avoid Strata By-law Review Mistakes
14 March 2018, Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) News
The deadline for owners corporations to review their by-laws has passed and most owners corporations have now completed these reviews. So what lessons can be learned from the by-law review process?
More importantly, what mistakes have been made during that process and how can they be fixed?
Read the full Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) article here.
Strata Lawyers Dissect Anti-Airbnb Rules
15 February 2018, Australian Financial Review (AFR)
Adrian Mueller of JS Mueller & Co says that rather than a by-law restricting the number of days a property could be let I would…
“Advise the owners corporation to make a new by-law that would prohibit an owner or occupier of a lot using the lot … for unlawful short-term accommodation”.
Read the full Australian Financial Review (AFR) article here.
Experts Criticise Law to Protect Home Buyers from Dodgy Developers
5 January 2018, Sydney Morning Herald (SMH)
Is a 2 per cent bond to cover the cost of repairing defective work inadequate? Is the system doomed to result in more cost and litigation?
Read the full Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) article here.
Huge Crackdown on Empty Houses and Apartments
23 December 2017, Byron Shire News
Faiyaaz Shafiq, a strata law expert from JS Mueller & Co Lawyers, said at the time the problem would only get worse.
“A lot of people are buying properties from overseas and leaving them,” he said. “So many owners are out there with units locked up, empty, and no one can find them.”
Read the full Byron Shire News article here.
Sydney homeowners disappeared overseas after their conversion to Buddhism, and they actually owed $1.4m cumulative tax in 12 years
9 December 2017, sangbe.com International Asian News
Senior lawyer JS Mueller & Co, Faiyaaz Shafiq said: “This is a big issue in Australia because some overseas buyers are usually from Asia, but they never live in it and no one knows where they are and usually they can’t be traced.”
The full article was published in international Asian press sangbe.com.
Introducing the New Look… JS Mueller & Co
25 November 2017, Media Announcement
Our exciting new look and feel has been designed to reflect the growing brand we are today and into the future. You’ll start to see our new branding reflected across our website, stationery, legal documents, promotional materials and much more.
To see the full impact click here.
Airbnb Hosts can be Fined $550 for Failing to Notify Strata of New Guests Under NSW Law
20 November 2017, news.com.au
A LITTLE-USED legal provision could be used to put the squeeze on owners who rent their units out on short-term rental sites like Airbnb. Under Section 258 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015.
Read the full news.com.au article here.
Merry Chase for Mystery Malaysian Monk who Renounced his ‘Worldly Possessions’
20 November 2017, news.com.au
This case has set a precedent for owners corporations in the same predicament. The Supreme Court order was necessary to give the notoriously short-staffed sheriff’s office a nudge.
Read the full news.com.au article here.
Sale of Apartment Owned by Monk who Disappeared Overseas Sets Legal Precedent
19 November 2017, Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) Domain
Owners Corporations and strata managers in NSW sometimes wonder how they can recover outstanding strata levies from owners of strata units who have disappeared and are nowhere to be found. Well, do not be disillusioned. Muellers has now given hope to owners corporations and strata managers.
Read the full Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) Domain article here.
Gaping Loophole in New NSW Strata Rules Exposed After Resident Ripped up her Carpet
12 November 2017, Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) Domain
Owners who took action at NCAT against a resident who broke the by-laws by ripping up her carpet and using the concrete slab as noisy flooring discovered, they could not impose a fine on her.
Read the full Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) Domain article here.
Landmark decision: NSW tribunal overturns bylaw that banned woman from renting apartment on Airbnb
30 September 2017, Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) Domain
In a landmark decision, the first time strata by-laws have been overturned in favour of Airbnb in NSW, will have major repercussions for every apartment building that has tried to restrict short term lets.
Read the full Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) Domain article here.
Can Lift Refurbishments Trigger Compensation?
24 July 2017, Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) News
Lifts breaking down in strata developments can have several knock-on effects which pose several questions, including compensation claims. For example, if a lift is refurbished, do owners corporations pay compensation to affected owners and tenants?
Read the full Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) article here.
Are Explanatory Notes Required?
25 May 2017, Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) News
Do explanatory notes need to be included in the agenda of a general meeting of an owners corporation? The answer might surprise you. Since the start of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 on 30 November 2016, a practice has arisen for explanatory notes to be included in an agenda of a general meeting of an owners corporation. Are these explanatory notes required?
Read the full Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) article here.
New Rules on Strata Meetings and Voting
1 December 2016, Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) News
Under the new strata regulations, proxy voting will prevent any individual attempting to control owners’ decisions by obtaining a majority of proxy votes. The number of proxy votes able to be held by one person will be limited. Read on to find out the new meeting and voting regulations.
Read the full Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) article here.
Unpaid Levies – The New Rules
7 October 2016, Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) News
Over 90 reforms are being made to the strata laws on 30 November 2016 in a bid to modernise the legislation, reduce red tape, avoid disputes and support the sector. Faiyaaz Shafiq, Senior Lawyer with JS Mueller & Co Lawyers, said that currently there are no legal rights for lot owners to request a levy instalment payment plan from an owners corporation.
Read the full Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) article here.
Tobacco or Snag Under the New Strata Reforms
18 August 2016, Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) News
Come November 2016, throwing a snag on the barbie or having a puff on a ciggie could be considered a ‘nuisance or hazard’. Under the new strata reforms owners corporations will be able to enforce a ban by issuing a notice to comply for smoke drift, such as that from tobacco and barbecues, under the by-law changes.
Read the full Real Estate Institute NSW (REINSW) article here.
Chinese Property Owners in Australia
19 April 2016, SBS Radio
JS Mueller & Co Lawyer, talks strata law with SBS Cantonese Radio, nation-wide.
If you understand Cantonese and/or have Chinese Cantonese speaking clients listen to the full radio interview below.
Listen to the full SBS Cantonese Radio interview here Chinese Property Owners in Australia
Top Lawyers call for Changes to Apartment ‘Sunset Clawbacks’
7 September 2015, Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) Domain
Top strata lawyers have called for NSW property protections to be brought into line with Australian states.
Partner, Bruce Bentley JS Mueller & Co has pointed to the deregulation of the conveyancing industry as another factor for leaving off-the-plan purchasers more vulnerable to contract revisions. He put the blame on conveyancers offering cut-price, inferior services.
Read the full Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) Domain article here.
Home Owner Warranty Protection NSW
15 October 2014, Radio 2UE
JS Mueller & Co talks Home Owner Warranty Protection New South Wales (NSW) with Clive Robertson 2UE Radio.
To listen to the full 2UE Radio interview click here.