Over 90 new strata laws will come into play later this year and of the 90 these are some changes that will most likely make a difference to your everyday.

1. Parking

Owners corporations will be able to reach agreements with local councils to allow parking officers into their schemes to issue fines to rogue parkers. Not only rogue parkers but residents who park over the lines of their parking spaces on to common property or leave their cars in visitor parking (however briefly) could also be ticketed. Read more here.

2. Fines

Almost all fines will be paid to the owners corporation, but this won’t be a cash cow for over-zealous committees; they still have to go through the same tribunal process. Read more here.

3…to read the new ‘top ten’ click here – New Strata Laws – Top 10

For NSW strata legal or levy collection advice please contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.

About JS Mueller & Co

JS Mueller & Co has been servicing the strata industry across NSW for almost 40 years. We are a specialist firm of strata lawyers with in depth and unmatched experience in, and comprehensive knowledge of strata law and levy collection. We are there to assist you every step of the way.

In May 2016 the JS Mueller & Co team presented a forum to the strata industry on the new strata laws ‘Out with the Old and in with the New’. This followed the recent announcement that the New South Wales Parliament passed the new Strata Schemes Management Bill 2015 and the Strata Schemes Development Bill 2015.

JS Mueller and Co senior lawyers presented:

• James Moir: Works By-laws – How will they operate under the new laws?
• Adrian Mueller: Meetings – What are the changes under the new laws?
• Faiyaaz Shafiq: Levy Collection – Procedural changes under the new laws?
• Bruce Bentley: Termination & Renewal of Strata Schemes – What impact will the new laws have?

Please click here to view papers and presentations:

JS Mueller & Co Forum Presentations_May16
JS Mueller & Co Forum Papers_May16

For NSW strata legal or levy collection advice please contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.

The JS Mueller & Co team takes pride in providing you with an unparalleled service, comprehensive knowledge and in-depth experience in all aspects of levy collection and strata law. Our levy collection service is second to none with our recently integrated  ‘LevyCollect’ app. Simple, free and easy to use – accessible through your device, on the go. Benefits include:

• Reduces your workload – gives you time back
• 24/7/365 access from your desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet – anytime, anywhere
• Gives you greater access to your Levy Collection matters
• You choose when to access your matters
• All of your matter communication conveniently located in one place
• Regular reporting – you choose when and how often you receive reports
• Simple, easy to use app and/or log in

If you’d like to trial our new FREE simple to use LevyCollect app contact us at jsmmarketing@muellers.com.au

For NSW strata legal or levy collection advice please contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.

Trial our new online ‘Levy Collect’ service today. Simply send an email to jsmmarketing@muellers.com.au and we’ll be in touch week commencing 11 January 2015.

Millions of Dollars

We understand that raising and receiving funds for building maintenance and scheme administration is fundamental to an efficiently-run scheme. That’s why, in 2015, the Muellers team collected millions of dollars in outstanding levies.

Access 24/7/365

Based on feedback from our clients, we also enhanced our levy collection service with a new online system ‘Levy Collect’, making it even easier for you to access your matters 24/7/365, anywhere, anytime from your desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone….giving you back time to focus on other things.

FREE Trial

Anyone who would like to trial our new online ‘Levy Collect’ service can do so by contacting us and we’ll be in touch in 2016 with the details.

Trial our new service today by simply sending an email to jsmmarketing@muellers.com.au and we’ll be in touch week commencing 11 January 2015.

For NSW strata legal or levy collection advice please contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.

As the holiday season arrives, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support. It is through the satisfaction and loyalty of our clients that we can truly be a success at what we do!

Thanks to you, the Muellers team have been busy helping communities throughout 2015…

New Laws

The new strata laws will kick-in 1 July 2016, so, if you are looking to speak to a team of experts in strata law, we’d be happy to help. The Muellers team has over 130 years’ combined experience so you know you will be speaking to a team with knowledge and experience.

In fact, the Muellers team resolved hundreds of strata legal matters during 2015 including litigation and dispute resolution, building and construction, strata disputes, strata by-laws, levy recovery, management and property development.

And did you know we can also assist with conveyancing, wills and estate planning, and commercial leasing?

Millions of Dollars

We also understand that raising and receiving funds for building maintenance and scheme administration is fundamental to an efficiently-run scheme. That’s why, in 2015, the Muellers team collected millions of dollars in outstanding levies.

Access 24/7/365

Based on feedback from our clients, we also enhanced our levy collection service with a new online system ‘Levy Collect’, making it even easier for you to access your matters 24/7/365, anywhere, anytime from your desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone….giving you back time to focus on other things.

No strings attached!

Anyone who would like to trial our new online ‘LevyCollect’ app can do so by sending an email to jsmmarketing@muellers.com.au and we’ll be in touch week commencing 11 January 2016 with the details.

And that’s the wrap-up…

We are taking a holiday break from 23 December 2015 and return on 11 January 2016.

We look forward to working with you in 2016.

We wish you and your families a safe and happy festive season!

For NSW strata legal or levy collection advice please contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.

Bruce Bentley, Partner JS Mueller & Co presented recently at a Legalwise Seminar ‘Review of Strata Title Reforms’.

To view a copy of Bruce’s paper please click the link below.

Strata Renewal Reforms

For NSW strata legal or levy collection advice please contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.

In September 2015 the JS Mueller & Co team presented at a forum to the strata industry the new proposed strata laws.

• James Moir: By-laws – How will they operate under the proposed laws?
• Adrian Mueller: Meetings – What are the changes under the proposed laws?
• Iain Fairholm: Strata Managers – How will the proposed laws affect you?
• Faiyaaz Shafiq: Levy Collection – Procedural change?
• Bruce Bentley: Building Defects – What impact will the proposed laws have?

Since the forum, it has been announced that the new strata laws will come into operation on 1 July 2016.

On 29 Oct 2015, the New South Wales Parliament passed the new Strata Schemes Management Bill 2015 and the Strata Schemes Development Bill 2015.

Papers and presentations are available to view here:

JS Mueller & Co Forum Presentations_Sept15
JS Mueller & Co Forum Papers_Sept15

For NSW strata legal or levy collection advice please contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.

Bruce Bentley, partner JS Mueller & Co presented recently at a Legalwise Seminar ‘Strata & Community Title Law Reform’ and Complex Group Title.’

For more information read the paper here – Strata & Community Title Law Reform and Complex Group Title

For NSW strata legal or levy collection advice please contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.

Fair Trading NSW has confirmed that the 1 December 2014 commencement date for the NSW Home Building Amendment Act 2014 has been delayed to 2015.

The amendments will commence in two stages:

Stage 1:
It is anticipated that the critical change surrounding statutory warranties will commence mid-January 2015. The critical change to the warranties will be a shift from “structural defect” (which is the current position) to a warranty which will only cover a building defect which is a “major defect”.

If the defect is categorised as a “major defect” it will enjoy a 6 year warranty otherwise any defect which is not a major defect and/or a non-major item will only have a warranty for 2 years. The new definition of “major defect” will be more restrictive than the current definition of a “structural defect”. The new amendments will have retrospective effect.

Stage 1 will also have other amendments commencing mid January 2015 and they are as follows:

1. For the first time, statutory warranties will be implied into subcontracts entered into by the principal contractor who undertakes residential building work. These changes will allow an owners corporation to enforce warranties as a successor in title against subcontractors.
2. If a defect arises due to an owners defective design or specification the builder will not be held liable for that defect.
3. Within 6 months the owner must notify the builder and the subcontractor of a defect. If the owner fails to do so such a failure may result in the reduction of any damages.
4. Owners must not unreasonably refuse access to a builder who wishes to rectify the defect.
5. Courts will be required to give priority to rectification orders as opposed to monetary orders.

Stage 2:
This stage will involve the provisions that relate to re-drafting of contracts. The contracts will have to comply with the amending legislation hence these will be dealt with in the second quarter of 2015.

For NSW strata legal or levy collection advice please contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.

• 11 Days until 1 December 2014!
• Do not get caught out!
• The time to act is now!
• Have your buildings inspected by a building consultant to check for defects!
• Avoid losing your rights to make a building defect claim!