As we edge ever closer to relief from our various lockdowns – and the inevitable spike in infections that will follow before vaccinations fully kick in – the NSW government’s plan for apartment blocks is quietly gelling in the background.And, as detailed in this story, part of the plan to limit the spread as we transition to semi-freedom, will be to blitz any unit blocks where an infection pops up.One major element of that strategy is to allow managers, health workers or even police to knock on apartment doors to find out who’s living there and who is a frequent visitor.Now, as discussed on Amanda Farmers live podcast last week, maintaining accurate strata rolls is among the least-observed strata laws – and it IS law – on the statute books.However, as we discuss on this podcast, that piffling $200 maximum fine for not registering on the strata roll could become a $5000 slam for not give “true and accurate” information under the new public health orders.And does having a strata roll that doesn't match the names and numbers of people living in a unit increase the chances that the block will be deemed "high-risk" and locked down? LISTEN HEREAlso this week we discuss the importance of good ventilation in apartment blocks – especially when there’s a deadly airborne virus flying around.And we have some handy hints on how renters can make the most of record low rents in our CBDs.Finally, the Bachelor finds a pad, and a brief reminder of why a good pair of headphones are an absolute boon for you and your neighbours during lockdown.That’s all in this week’s Flat Chat Wrap. TRANSCRIPT IN FULLJimmy 0:00 I was listening to Amanda Farmer's podcast, which is on Friday afternoons. I listened in last Friday; there's a lot of chat about the issue that we raised in the website last week (and it's been elsewhere), about the new measures that the government is preparing to take in apartments, in cases of potential 'block-down.'Sue 0:26 As you've coined it.Jimmy 0:28 It was interesting to hear her, because she's a strata lawyer and her podcasts tend to be listened to by a lot of strata managers and strata professionals. She was talking about the legalities of these new powers that the government has given people, to go in and basically come and knock on your door and ask who's living here; who's been here visiting. So, we're going to talk about that and you've got stuff about air quality; you've written an article about air quality, which will be on the website. And, we're also going to talk about how to get a good rental.Sue 1:13 From a tenant's perspective.Jimmy 1:15 From the tenants perspective, yes. I'm Jimmy Thomson, I write the Flat Chat column for the Australian Financial Review.Sue 1:22 And I'm Sue Williams, I write about property for Domain.Jimmy 1:25 And this is the Flat Chat Wrap.[MUSIC]JimmyOne of the new powers that's been given to strata managers and health professionals (and you wrote about this in the Sydney Morning Herald), is the ability to go and knock on doors and say "who's living here? Who's been staying here?" This is when there's an infection in an apartment block and they want to do onsite contact tracing, I suppose you would call it.Sue 2:05 Ye
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Recorded by Jimmy Thomson & Sue Williams; Transcribed by Otter.ai.
Find out more about Sue Williams and Jimmy Thomson on their websites.
