Harold, There’s A Horse In Here 25/01/2006
Hear the story about the strata titled horse house. Well it may not be far away. The rapid growth in popularity of strata titled property means it could be almost as near as that high-rise or town house across the road, albeit by a slightly different name.
Mr Richard Tooker, a strata property specialist says horse stables and vineyards can now be included as part of the especially tiered owners corporation system but in this instance is found under the less well-known moniker “Community Title”. Legislation, he admits, is seeking to take increasingly more creative turns to adapt to modern needs.
Around Sydney in particular, people are turning faster than topsy to strata titled living. Modern options in accommodation have driven up moves to newer and better ways to house residents who like being near where the action is.
Mr Tooker, as director of one of the States largest strata title management companies, New South Wales Strata Management, continues to be amazed by the growth of the strata system since its inception back in the ‘60s.
“We commonly think of high-rise buildings, townhouses or villas where multiple owners contribute to the maintenance of a range of amenities often superior to what any one owner could afford. But the broad range of ‘strata’ goes further than that.”
Although most people would not notice, he says, many of the buildings they pass every day come under the strata title name. They may be residential, commercial, serviced apartments, or a mix of several of these. They could be retail premises, and even be a resort or caravan park.
“Modern methods are being used to provide ever more adventurous ways of subdividing land and buildings. One such example is the inclusion of horse stables and vineyards under the “Community Title” designation, an offshoot of legislation that came about in 1989.”
Common to all strata titled properties is the need for quality management. This management used to be the responsibility of the Body Corporate, which has recently morphed into what is now called the Owners’ Corporation, more accurately reflecting that it is indeed run by owners.
To ensure that efficiencies are maximised many owners’ corporations appoint a licensed strata-managing agent. This sees the agent carry out some or all of the functions of the owners corporation and can be a major step forward for owners wanting the job done right.
As Mr Tooker says, “Owners can have their building professionally managed at a modest cost whilst remaining in control. It’s the best of both worlds. The owners corporations’ executive committee may continue to exercise all the functions it wishes to, whilst the strata manager looks out for the rest”.
Owners corporations wishing to investigate the costs of using a qualified licensed strata managing agent can receive a obligation-free estimate by contacting New South Wales Strata Management on 9890 1841.
New South Wales Strata Management (formerly Gilmour Strata Management) commenced business in early 1991, as a member of the highly respected J A Gilmour & Sons group of companies. Licensed solely and specialising only in strata management services, the company has steadily grown to become one of the largest such organisations in New South Wales.
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