EP. 1342 “Strata Living 2024: Smoke & Odors – What Tenants Can & Can’t Do”

The PROPERTY DOCTORS, Sydney Australia Novak Properties

What happens when regulations intended to protect start feeling like overreach? Join us as we invite Cleo, a seasoned property manager with over 15 years of experience, to unpack the evolving landscape of New South Wales strata laws. Cleo shares her expert insights on the intricacies of smoke drift and odorous nuisances in unit communities, highlighting how bylaws and committee powers have transformed the tenant-landlord dynamic. We explore the growing tension between necessary regulations and their unintended consequences, like bizarre new laws requiring landlords to pay for lost keys. Cleo paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by both non-smokers and smokers, including the unexpected side effects of trying to keep the smoke out.
Our discussion digs into why smoking complaints are on the rise, despite smokers following the once-accepted balcony rule. With more stringent bylaws empowering committees, what used to be a decades-old nuisance has now become a major issue. Cleo shares real-life stories, such as tenants who refuse to open windows to avoid smoke, ultimately leading to mold problems. We also touch on the parallels with other contentious strata issues, like pet ownership, revealing how living in shared spaces requires navigating a complex web of ever-evolving regulations. Tune in to hear how Cleo's experience sheds light on maintaining harmony in these communities while balancing individual freedoms and collective responsibilities.