The new strata building bond and inspections scheme (the scheme) will now commence on 1 January 2018. It was originally scheduled to commence on 1 Juy 2017.

This means that the scheme will only apply to construction contracts signed (or where there is no contract and building work commences) from 1 January 2018. NSW Fair Trading will not require developers of new strata schemes to lodge defect bonds before 31 December 2017.

The commencement date has been delayed so that all procedural and professional requirements supporting the scheme are in place before commencement.

Click for more information

 

The Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, the Hon Matt Kean, MP has announced the appointment of new Commissioner for Fair Trading, Rose Webb, who has already taken up her role.

“I’m so excited to announce Rose Webb as the new Fair Trading Commissioner,” he said.

The Minister said the new Commissioner “is an exceptional individual with a wealth of knowledge and experience at the highest levels of government, both in Australia and overseas.”

“Ms Webb shares my passion for putting consumers first, and cracking down on shonky operators across this state.

“She is an exceptional individual with a wealth of knowledge and experience at the highest levels of government, both in Australia and overseas.”

“Under her leadership, NSW Fair Trading will continue to be one of the most trusted and reliable government agencies in the country.”

                                                                                    Each strata scheme has its own by-laws, which are a set of rules that owners, tenants and, in some cases, visitors must follow. By-laws cover behaviour of residents and the use of common property. They can cover issues such as whether pets are allowed on the scheme, how smoking is regulated, parking and noise levels.

All strata schemes must review their by-laws by 30 November 2017.

Click on the link for more information:

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Tenants_and_home_owners/Strata_schemes/Bylaws_in_your_strata_scheme.page?#Model_by-laws

 

                                                                                  

The NSW Government invited feedback on the ‘Options Paper for short-term holiday letting in NSW’ up until 31 October 2017 – Feedback is now under consideration.

Short-term holiday letting (STHL) relates to the renting of the whole or part of a private home by its owner to a visitor on a commercial basis.

Given the recent growth in STHL, the government is looking at the economic contribution of the industry while managing any potential social and environmental impacts.

There are a number of options outlined in the Options Paper including greater industry self-regulation, registration or licensing of STHL operators, changes to strata laws and regulation through the planning system.

Click on the link for more information: http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/sthl