North Management in Darwin, Northern Territory | Business service

North Management

Locality: Darwin, Northern Territory

Phone: +61 8 8981 3788

Address: 26A, 90 Frances Bay Drive 0820 Darwin, NT, Australia

Website: http://www.northmanagement.com.au

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25.01.2022 If you are a resident in a Body Corporate, you have probably had more than one occasion of taking rubbish from your unit to the bin-compound of your complex, only to be met with full bins or rubbish piled-up throughout. This can be a big problem for Body Corporate members, particularly members of larger complexes or those without bin-chutes. Nobody likes to see or have garbage piling up near their living spaces, particularly those in shared environments like Body Corporates. ... In most Body Corporate By-Laws, there are usually rules pertaining to the disposal of rubbish in the complex. As a general rule-of-thumb, if the bins are full, don’t dump your rubbish next to it if your rubbish is too big for the bins (even if they are empty) don’t dump it in the bin compound. There is actually a high possibility of rubbish contractors refusing collection of your general-waste bins if their access is impeded (i.e. pathways or lids blocked with piled rubbish) or your recycling bins if they are contaminated. You must ensure you are disposing of the correct items in the recycling bin, as otherwise they will be left by the contractors, marked contaminated, and not emptied until the contamination issue is resolved by the Body Corporate. There are a few things you can do with your rubbish to help maintain the cleanliness of your bin compounds. Double-bagging your rubbish helps if it contains food-waste, other nasty-smelling items or excess liquid. Setting a routine to empty your bins will also help ensure there is space in the bins when you take your rubbish out. If you are disposing of cardboard boxes, it is strongly recommended to flatten boxes and/or tear the cardboard to allow for better use of space. If you are ever unsure about which items can and can’t be disposed of in the recycling bins, you can usually refer to the bin’s lid or the walls of the bin area, where there will usually be a list of materials permitted for the recycling bins. If you ever notice rubbish piling up, or observe another resident disposing of their rubbish inappropriately, report the issue to your Body Corporate Manager to rectify the issue promptly.

25.01.2022 Last year, the count for recorded break-ins in the Northern Territory was at the highest point ever. The count for this year has breached the previous recorded number, with an increase of roughly 4%. While this may not be a massive increase, the count has still gone up. Unfortunately, some break-ins are inevitable, however, there are a few things we’d like to bring up as a reminder to assist in keeping your building secure.... The first, and maybe the most important thing you can do is ensure you are always enter/exiting your building securely. This means you should always enter through the appropriate gates/doors when on foot or in a vehicle. If your complex has a secure garage, make sure you close the door/gate behind you. You should apply this same etiquette to pedestrian gates & main entrances. Some opportunistic thieves will follow cars or residents into a complex, usually exiting once they have pinched whatever they can. Others may also use the opportunity to scope out the property, to re-visit at a time with less traffic/witnesses. You should also make sure to not leave any valuable/sentimental items in your car. Items left in car-parks are often targeted by intruders, this includes keys/FOBs/Remotes left in your vehicle, as if they are stolen they can provide access to the intruders later. The same goes for storage-cages in carparks. Everyone has a role in keeping your apartment complex safe. If you do witness any suspicious behaviour, make sure this is reported to both the Police and your Body Corporate Manager.

24.01.2022 One of the items of biggest concern at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the attendance and if there is a quorum at the meeting. The quorum is arguably one of the most important parts of an AGM as if there is no quorum present at the meeting, all ordinary resolutions made at the meeting are defaulted to what is called an interim Resolution. Interim resolutions won’t cause massive problems in most cases, as the main concern is the delay they create. This can be particularly... detrimental if there are pressing or urgent items to be passed at the meeting. The other issue is the fact that any decision requiring a resolution other than an ordinary one is not possible without a quorum. A quorum will only exist if at least 50% of the total entitlement count is met through the meetings attendance. This count is met through attendance, either in person or electronically, or via appointment of a proxy to attend on your behalf. As the count is based on entitlements rather than units, a quorum may be less than 50% of all owners/units. An interim resolution, as stated above, is effected if a quorum is not obtained at the AGM. Interim resolutions will become resolutions of the corporation if no further general meeting is held within 28 working days after the AGM, or if a further meeting is held, if the resolution is confirmed. This means an interim resolution should not be enacted until one of the two requirements is fulfilled. A proxy nomination is where a person who has right to vote at an AGM can nominate someone to attend the meeting and vote on their behalf. This also applies to joint-owners, as both owners together will still only have 1 vote. A proxy nomination must be received in writing, inclusive of the period of appointment and the person nominated, with signatures for all parties involved. If you have questions on how quorums and proxy nominations can or have affected your AGM, contact your Body Corporate manager for further advice.

24.01.2022 Bad meetings can suck the life out of you, but an efficient one can really help you to make those important and urgent decisions. Let your body corporate manager coordinate and run your meetings and make your life a bit easier. Check out this blog to know everything about hiring a body corporate manager: #bodycorporate #strata #stratamanager #propertymanagement #realestate #bodycorporatemanagement... https://buff.ly/3g48mW5

24.01.2022 Do you have pets living with you? Did you know that almost every Body Corporate complex will have its own, specific Pet Application process? While some Pet Application processes are implemented by a Strata Management Company, processes are most often created and implemented by the Body Corporate’s Committee. Pets will often be brought into an Apartment Complex without prior approval. This can cause some serious issues within the complex, especially with residents with Allergi...es. Bringing an un-approved pet into a complex can have some serious consequences, depending on your Body Corporate Committee. Save yourself from the Drama of living with un-approved pets and ask your Property Manager about your Pet Policy Today!

23.01.2022 Taking your pets for a walk? Most likely you will need to take them for a walk to maintain their well-being. Often times, we receive reports of animals not kept on leashes and have been allowed to run around the complex without supervision. Most body corporate complexes have by-laws relating to pet keeping and common property etiquette, please ensure that you keep an eye on your pets while in the common property as well as using leashes to avoid complication from the animals ...being left to their own devices. Keep in mind that there are other residents utilising the same common area for their enjoyment. Lack of supervision of your pets may cause nuisance to the broader body corporate membership. The majority of body corporate will have their own standard pet approval process, so there may be grounds for your Body Corporate Committee to revoke your pet approval if your pets are not kept supervised while on common property grounds. Pet keeping may be challenging in strata properties at times, please always try to be mindful of other residents while you’re exercising your rights as a pet owner. General cleanliness of the common property is the responsibility of all residents, pet owners are advised to clean-up after their pet has finished their business especially on the common property grounds to avoid any additional cleaning cost to the Body Corporate that could be introduced due to this. Some Body Corporates do not allow any pets to be on the common area unless coming from or to the unit. This is especially crucial for Body Corporate with limited garden area or none at all. In those instances pet owners will need to take their pets off the property to be walked and to do their business. If you have an ongoing issue relating to pets in your Body Corporate, please contact your Body Corporate Manager for support.

23.01.2022 NBN connections within a body corporate is definitely one of the most complex and difficult issues faced by members. We find that majority of the issue originates from how the NBN is implemented at each Body Corporate, and the limited understanding of how NBN internet is setup for each individual unit. NBN service can be painful to handle, as the processes for connecting to NBN changes vastly between Body Corporates. This is mainly due to the fact that NBN service will be pr...ovided to and billed to individual units, rather than the whole building meaning that NBN and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has to keep track of who is using which service in what unit, as well as the billing associated with said service. In some buildings, this setup process can be very simple and self-explanatory but this is not always the case. ISPs can usually determine this information using what’s called an MDU Design (Multi-Dwelling Unit Design). An MDU Design is essentially a blueprint on the physical setup of NBN hardware throughout a building. The MDU Design should contain a list of serial numbers for each set of hardware, to help pin down what equipment services a particular unit. Logically thinking, most people will assume their ISP will have the necessary details for the connection to their unit, however, this is not always the case. If you are looking to connect your unit to NBN, there are a few things you should check first. Firstly, you should ensure your building is NBN ready. You can do this by checking on the NBN website. If a complex is NBN ready that means the necessary infrastructure is already installed, waiting for an account connection. Secondly, provide your address to your choice of ISP and ensure the ISP is able to find your unit from the list of NBN ready buildings. Please note, there may be times where the LOT number of your unit might be used to identify your exact location. This exercise is needed to ensure ISP can connect your internet service account to your unit. Lastly, once your internet service is processed by the ISP, you will need to determine the location of your NBN box exclusive to your unit. In most cases, each unit NBN box will connect to a central location for that particular level, which then connects to other floors (as specified in MDU design). The location of your NBN box may differ vastly, depending on your Body Corporate. Most NBN boxes will generally be located near the front entry of your unit closest to the common property, or it could also be concealed in a different area for better unit presentation. If you cannot/unable to locate the NBN box, please check with either your agent or your Body Corporate Manager for further direction. It is always worth asking for the locations, as there might be additional information that could be useful to complete your internet setup.

23.01.2022 In a Body Corporate structure, owners have contributions (levies), typically due quarterly, discussed and decided at each Annual General Meeting (AGM). When these fees are not paid by an owner, they are referred to as Levies in Arrears. At each AGM, a draft budget for the next financial year is tabled and voted on, with breakdown of how the income and planned expenditure looks for the Body Corporate. This is where the budget is determined which translates to the levy contri...Continue reading

22.01.2022 If you have attended meetings for your Body Corporate or you are on the Committee, there is a strong chance that you have heard the question Should we install solar panels on our building? This is a query that comes up in several of our Body Corporates’ meetings and often times, we encourage our committees to go ahead with installation, provided the option is fiscally viable. There are multiple ways that a body corporate can approach solar installation, dependent on the ty...pe of building. Most duplexes can arrange for their own solar installation to occur on their roof space. As the electrical infrastructure is isolated from other units in a duplex configuration, the solar installation can occur as long as appropriate approval from the Committee of Body Corporate is obtained. Other types of structure such as high-rise apartment complex can have a more complex requirements, due to issues surrounding how the power will be billed/split for individual units. As most Body Corporates will have each unit’s power metered individually, this can become a deterrent for some owners from jumping into solar improvements. The most common approach for our Body Corporates is the installation of Solar Panels for the common area electricity. For taller complexes with limited roof-space, this is usually the best option available as it comes at a communal cost to all members, with everyone benefiting from it in the form of common-electricity bills, leading to a reduction in the electricity component of levies. While individual unit’s electricity bills won’t benefit from common-area solar power, members will still benefit from the savings on common area electricity. This approach is of particular benefit for landlords as they receive a direct benefit. Renewable energy and solar panels are also a great way to improve environmental impact for the Body Corporate. The main impact reduction comes from energy your solar system produces, as you will avoid purchasing as much energy from the main power grid. There are actually government incentives and rebates in most states and territories for the installation of solar panels/renewable energy. These rebates change annually, so we recommend researching these benefits through your provider directly. For more information on solar panels for your complex, contact your Body Corporate Managers to seek further information.

22.01.2022 Rico is here to briefly mention what you can do to help with your water usage

21.01.2022 Wondering what to look for in a body corporate manager? Asking these questions first will save you time and headache. #bodycorporate #strata #stratamanager #propertymanagement #realestate #bodycorporatemanagement https://buff.ly/3g48mW5

21.01.2022 As a Darwin resident, you have probably had more than one run-in with pests and insects in your home. Pest control and maintenance can be a massive problem in Darwin apartment complexes. Apartment complexes are routinely treated for pests within the common areas, however, these treatments may not be as effective if a unit within the complex is infested with pests. There are a few ways you can assist in keeping your complex clean & pest free, the main way is to ensure your uni...t is treated routinely. If your unit has a pest infestation, this can spread to neighbouring units and to the common property. You can also make sure to double-bag your rubbish before taking it to your bins and clean any potted plants of excess water and fertilizer. Did you know that most pest control companies offer a significant discount for bulk treatments? This means that if your Common Areas are being treated, you can arrange to have your unit treated the same day, at a cheaper rate. Contact your Body Corporate Manager to find out your next scheduled treatment, and enquire on bulk discounts for the treatment of your unit.

19.01.2022 The Annual General Meeting (AGM) Notice is, in essence, the invitation and information pack for all members of a Body Corporate. The AGM Notice is usually prepared by the Committee’s Secretary, or the Body Corporate Manager. This is then distributed to all members for their information and invitation to attend the meeting, usually the AGM notice document is distributed at least 14 working days before the meeting, some AGMs will require a minimum of 21 working days. Body Corpo...rate AGM Notices are usually very similar in formatting, generally consisting of information required by the members as well as any additional items or motions submitted in preparation of the AGM. It is required that an AGM Notice must contain the date, time and location of the meeting. It must also contain any other items specified in the relevant legislation. Also included in the notice will be an agenda for the meeting and the annual financial statement. Two of the first things to be discussed in a meeting will be determination of a quorum and business arising from the previous AGM. A quorum exists if at least 50% of the unit voting entitlement is represented. This is required as if there is not a quorum, any ordinary resolutions will be interim resolutions and any motions other than regular ones cannot be passed. Business arising from the previous AGM will be the time that any outstanding matters from the last AGM will be discussed further, as well as confirmation that previous minutes are an accurate records of the meeting itself. While the above mentioned items will be included in all AGM Notices, they do not always consist of exclusively these items. There is usually a section of the Notice for other business, in which, member’s submitted motions can be included. The Notice will also often contain general information for members, the minutes of the previous AGM, a proposed budget for the upcoming year and the Insurance certificate of currency. The meeting notice is normally distributed with intention to provide all members adequate period to review all information provided (usually 14-21 working days) and to allow for enough time for members to submit other items to be discussed. Owners who are unable to attend the Annual General Meeting can appoint a proxy by filling out the proxy nomination form usually included in the AGM Notice pack. The appointed proxy can attend the meeting and vote on behalf of the owner. To summarise, the AGM Notice acts as the both invitation & information pack for all members of a Body Corporate. If you have any queries relating you your AGM Notice or items within it, contact your Body Corporate Managers for further advice.

17.01.2022 The responsibility of fences within a Body Corporate is definitely one of the more complicated, sometimes confusing topics. The parties responsible for a fence will manage the maintenance/replacement and the costs associated with these works. Multiple Body Corporates will rarely have the same defined responsibilities for fences and gates in the complex, as they can vary immensely based on where fences are erected and if they are marking a lot boundary. Knowing who is responsi...ble for fences surrounding your property is a must, as if they are damaged or broken, they leave your unit and in some case the entire complex unsecure. In most cases, the responsibility of a fence will be divided evenly between the two areas the fence creates a boundary between. With this in mind, a fence will normally be divided 1 of 3 ways. If the fence lines the boundary of the Body Corporate complex, the responsibility will be divided between the Body Corporate itself, and the property on the opposite side of the fence. If the fence is within the Body Corporate, bordering a unit and a common area, responsibility will be divided between the Body Corporate and the respective unit owner/s. Lastly, if the fence in question borders 2 separate units within a the Body Corporate, the responsibility will be split between those unit owners. The division of responsibility is not normally an issue, however, issues can arise if one party is not willing to pay for their portion of repair/replacement costs. This can make replacement works tricky, as if the other party is ordered to pay their potion of the bill, their payable portion will be determined based on the fencing standards of the local area, not necessarily the fence being installed. Usually, costs of replacing fences can be reduced dramatically by having multiple works relating to fences carried out at the same time. This is mainly to reduce compliance and the cost of shipping/manufacturing the fences, as these costs are often reduced when ordered in large quantities. This can make things more expensive for an individual owner if they undertake this work separately. It is highly recommended that if you need to replace your fence, check in with your Body Corporate Managers to see if there are already planned repairs to the fences, potentially allowing for bulk orders to contractors & suppliers and cost saving to both the Body Corporate and Owners. If you are unsure about fencing in your property or have a question relating to a fence issue, remember that you can always contact your Body Corporate Manager for further assistance.

17.01.2022 Strata Unit Entitlements are effectively a unit owner’s ‘share’ of the Body Corporate, used to establish the owners Levy Contributions and voting power (in meetings) amongst all owners. Unit Entitlements are an important metric to all Body Corporates, as it defines each owners overall interest (part-ownership) of the common areas, as well as the levies payable for each unit, per unit. Not all units will have the same Unit Entitlement. The main place you will see your Unit Ent...itlement is in the AGM Minutes and Financials for your complex. In your AGM Minutes, you will see that attendance is calculated as per the voting rights of all attendees, based on their combined Unit Entitlements. In your Financials, there should be a breakdown of levy contributions with payment portions calculated as per each Unit Entitlement, with respect to the annual budget of levies. Unit Entitlements are often confused to be primarily determined by a unit’s size, however, this is not correct. Unit Entitlements are determined by a surveyor at the same time that the Strata Plan is drafted. Unit Entitlements are determined at the time of registration of the Strata Plan by a valuer engaged by the Developer. The valuer calculates the ICV (improved capital value) of each unit. The ICV in short, is the total market value of the land, as well as the value of any buildings or improvements on said land. In a Body Corporate setting, land and any buildings or improvements refers to the everything within the boundaries of each unit. The valuer then gives each ICV a number representing the unit’s proportional value of the total Unit Entitlements for the Body Corporate. For example, if a Body Corporates total Unit Entitlements are ‘100’ and one unit has a an Unit Entitlement number of ‘10’, this unit is one tenth of the value of all Unit Entitlements. Not all units will have equal value Unit Entitlements. Usually larger units, with better facilities (additional rooms, more parking spaces, nicer views, etc.) will have a greater value Unit Entitlement than others within their complex. While these Unit Owners may have greater voting rights in meetings, they will usually also incur higher portion of Levy contributions with respect to the total approved budget than those with smaller Unit Entitlements. Speaking broadly, Unit Entitlements cannot be altered, except by court order or resubdivisions of land. This also applies if a units value is changed (ie. View is built out). To find out more about your Unit Entitlements and how they affect you, contact your Body Corporate Manager for further advice.

15.01.2022 Beginning from 12:00PM today is the 3rd and final stage of the Northern Territory Government Roadmap to the new normal introduced on 30th April. While the majority of restrictions put in place to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading in the NT were lifted in Stage 2, stage 3 lifts restrictions on several outlying activities. Stage 3 now allows the public to attend activities and venues such as TAB’s, gaming facilities, theatres, nightclubs and bars (without requirement of c...onsumption of food). Restrictions on beauty therapies and cosmetic services (including facial care) have also been lifted. While restrictions are being lifted, the public is still expected to follow the key principals outlined in the roadmap. We must remember to maintain physical distancing, keeping 1.5 meters of space between you and others not known to you. Try to limit your face-to-face contact with other people to 15 minutes. We must also keep on top of our hygiene as well, avoiding touching you face, sneezing/coughing into tissues and washing your hands regularly. The above principals will help maintain a safe environment for everyone to enjoy. North Management’s office re-opened officially on the 6th of May following stage 1 of the Roadmap, however, we still have several policies in place to keep our staff and visitors safe. Our internal policies relate to maintaining hygiene and cleanliness within the office and include policies around routine washing of hands and disinfection of high-traffic surfaces. Members visiting our office are requested to sanitize their hands on entry and exit. Visitors must also maintain a physical distance of 1.5 meters between one another. These policies are in place for the protection of all staff and members and we appreciate that all visitors have been following these policies accordingly. North Management would like to wish everyone safe celebrations for the final stage of the Roadmap to the new normal. Remember to work together and follow the key principals for hygiene and physical distancing, for you and your community’s safety. For further information regarding Stage 3 of the Roadmap to the new normal, please visit the below page. https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/steps-to-restart

14.01.2022 Kelly is back with another explainer on garbage chute etiquette

13.01.2022 In Darwin, the majority of Body Corporates with secured parking will also have storage cages within their carparks, for use of residents within the complex. Most complexes with storage cages will have them allocated to particular unit, which is included in the unit title in most cases. There are times where we receive reports of unknown items being stored in member’s storage cages. Most of the time this is the result of another resident using the wrong cage to store their be...longings. Other times we are made aware of instances of storage cages being broken into. Tenants and owners are advised to report their issues through their property managers, which will be passed onto their strata managers for further investigation. In the majority of instances when a cage is being used by another resident, the person using the incorrect cage isn’t actually aware that this is the case. These situations are often resolved directly by the residents, simply by advising the resident of the incorrect use. If a resident isn’t aware of who is using the cage, their Strata Manager will most likely send notice to all members, requesting removal of the items. Usually, the owner of the items will put their hand up, requesting confirmation of the appropriate cage allocation. Cage allocations can get confused, especially in complexes where allocations have been reassigned. Where reports of storage cages being broken into are received from the property manager/unit owners, the Strata manager will work with the Police by retrieving and providing CCTV footage where available to assist in investigation. A notice to all members will usually be sent if the security risk is deemed to apply to all residents in the complex. There will be instances where a roller door or gate may not be working, making the carpark and storage area unsecure. In these situations, we highly recommend residents move any valuables from their cars and storage cages, to their units until the door/gate is repaired. Most Storage Cage issues are solved very simply. Often, the person causing the issue isn’t actually aware they’ve caused any issue. If you have a storage cage issue, or have had your cage broken into, contact your Property Manager to direct the query to the Body Corporate Managers for further assistance.

11.01.2022 Smoke detectors and fire detection systems within your building keep you, your property and neighbouring residents within the building safe, potentially saving lives. While you are probably aware of the fire systems within your unit, did you know that there can be a multitude of different systems/device installed within your building for the prevention/fighting of fires? Although there is multiple different types of fire systems available today, the majority of Body Corporate...s will actually have a combination of several detection/fighting systems installed within the building. This is generally a combination of detection systems such as Smoke detectors or temperature detection systems, as well as firefighting equipment, including fire sprinklers, fire hose reels, fire extinguishers or even fire blankets. While these systems can and often do save lives, if they are not properly maintained, in accordance with Australian Standards, they can pose a risk to everyone. Knowing who bears the responsibility of maintaining fire systems in your building is important because in most cases, the responsibility is shared between the Body Corporate and the individual unit owners. In the majority of instances, the smoke detector within a unit is a standalone device (not connected to any building-wide fire systems) it is the responsibility of the unit owner to maintain those detectors. It is the opposite case for devices in the building’s common area, with these falling under the responsibility of the Body Corporate to maintain. While this is the case in most buildings, bear in mind that the detection devices within your unit may be connected to a building-wide fire system. You can contact your Body Corporate Manager for confirmation if unsure. We recommend everyone check the smoke detectors within their units as they generally have a life-span of 10 years (most devices actually have an expiry date). The most common causes of residential fires are open flames, like candles or stove-top burners, or faults with electrical appliances (usually creating a spark which catches on something flammable). If you are concerned about the fire systems within your building or your own unit, check in with your Body Corporate Managers for specific advice for your building.

10.01.2022 With the Wet Season in full swing, its time again to check irrigation systems for timers & leaks. Often times, irrigation systems can have leaks that goes undetected for extended periods, causing water usage to gradually increase until the issue is detected and resolved. Darwin is among the highest water users anywhere in Australia, with roughly 400,000 litres of water being used per household each year. A lot of this usage is unnecessary and goes to waste, particularly in ga...rden beds and lawns with leaks or breakages in the irrigation system. More often than not, irrigation leaks are caused by lawn mowers and cars which drive over sprinklers, often breaking them without noticing. If you are mowing your lawns or parking on the verge of your property, always be mindful of pop-up sprinklers and make sure you haven’t blocked or damaged any sprinklers in the process. The irrigation systems in your complex are most likely set to an automatic timer, to water your lawns and garden beds as required. This means your irrigation system goes unchecked for periods of time, which can allow leaks and breakages to seep through undetected. If your irrigation system is on a timer, it may be worth reducing the timer during the Wet Season to ensure you aren’t using more water than necessary. We recommend everyone keep an eye on the irrigation system in their complex and report any leaks, breakages or outages to your Body Corporate Manager to ensure they’re repaired in a timely manner and continue to be well maintained.

10.01.2022 Today marks Stage 2 of the 3 stage roadmap introduced by the Northern Territory Government on 30th April, for the reduction of the ongoing restrictions put in place to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading. Stage 2 of the Roadmap now allows the public activities such as the serving and consumption of food/beverages in restaurants, cafes and Bars. Beauty therapy salons are reopening for (non-facial) services, such as nails, massages & tanning. Indoor physical training gyms are... also permitted to operate for activities such as Yoga, Pilates, CrossFit, etc. Several of our Body Corporates have had restrictions in place for their own gyms and pools, with some facilities closed entirely to help fight the spread and reduce the risk to residents of the complex. With stage 2 active as of 12:00PM today, our Body Corporates have begun the process of reopening their common facilities. Our members will notice when heading home tonight that their respective properties gym or pool has opened up for use. With that, we just request our members respect and maintain physical distancing requirements from one another. Try to limits the number of people in your lifts to 2 people or groups from one household at a time. The lifts in most complexes are quite small and only provide enough space for physical distancing between 2 people. While we can imagine the majority of the Darwin & NT populations are glad to be returning to the new normal, there are still several responsibilities of the public to ensure Stage 2 commences in as safe a manner as possible. We must remember to maintain Physical Distancing, keeping 1.5 Meters of space between you and others not known to you. Try to limit your face-to-face contact with other people to 15 minutes. We should also keep on top of our Hygiene as well, avoiding touching you face, sneezing/coughing into tissues and washing your hands regularly. All of the above steps will help maintain a safe environment for everyone to enjoy. For further information regarding Stage 2 of the Roadmap to the new normal, please visit the below page. https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/steps-to-restart

09.01.2022 As a member of a Body Corporate, you have most likely had dealings with the Committee for your Body Corporate, either through seeking approvals for your unit or through your Body Corporate’s Annual General Meetings (AGM). Your Body Corporate Committee is a group of Body Corporate members nominated and voted in at a Body Corporate’s AGM. Members will nominate either themselves or another eligible member of the Body Corporate to be a Committee Member. These nominations are then... voted in by members, with opposed nominations usually settled through majority voting. A committee will be comprised of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and other Committee members, barring some exceptions. The Chairperson acts as the lead role for the whole Committee. The primary function of a Body Corporate Committee is to look after the day-to-day administration of their Body Corporate, making decision on behalf of all lot owners in accordance with their relevant State/Territory Body Corporate Legislation. In short, this involves ensuring all common property is maintained in-line with the necessary requirements for their Body Corporate to function with no or minimal disruption to unit owners and their property. Each State/Territory will have its own myriad of rules and legislation surrounding the appropriate day-today running of a scheme. Committee’s will usually work alongside a Strata Manager, who will assist in areas such as general administration and support with relevant State/Territory legislative knowledge. Committee’s will usually come together in the form of Committee Meetings, to discuss ongoing matters or matters submitted to the committee by other members or their Strata Managers. These meetings are recorded in the form of minutes, which are provided to all members of the Body Corporate to review. A Body Corporate Committee will strive to work with needs and requirements of all unit owners in mind. If you have concerns relating to your property or have any questions for your committee, contact your Body Corporate Manager who will assist you in communicating with your Committee.

09.01.2022 One of the most frequent complaints we receive is about planter boxes & balcony gardens. These complaints are mainly received from members in units below those with balcony plants. The issue is rarely with the aesthetics of the plants, but rather the issues that arise while maintaining/watering the plants, as the plant owners aren’t often aware of the issues the plants can create. There are a few things to consider when setting up a balcony garden. First & foremost, you shoul...d check in with your Body Corporate Manager to ensure there are no by laws restricting your plans. These could include rules relating to the plant’s height or even restrictions on plant types. It’s rare to find a Body Corporate who bans plants all together. The rules are usually for the safety of the building & other residents. For example, there may be a rule in a high-rise building against hanging plants from or on balconies. This would prevent the possibility of any plants blowing or falling off balconies, as a plant falling from several stories up can cause serious damage. Other rules may relate to the watering and pruning of plants. If you have plants draining directly onto your balcony floor, it will most likely run down the building and in most cases, leak onto the balconies below. This can be a big nuisance for those members who are left with cleaning up the mess. You should also routinely check your plant roots, pruning them and re-potting plants where necessary. If your plants aren’t regularly maintained, roots could grow out from the bottom of the pot and if left long enough, can grow through the seams of the building which can cause serious structural issues if left unattended. You should always check your by-laws before making any changes to the exterior of your unit, however, in most cases, pot plants and planter boxes will be permitted. There are a few things you can do to mitigate issues & potential complaints about your plants. Firstly, any pots with drainage should be draining onto a plate or saucer not directly onto the floors. Secondly, keep a close eye on your plants growth to ensure it doesn’t rapidly outgrow it’s pot before you notice. If you’re looking to start your own balcony garden or have question relating to one, have a chat with your Body Corporate Manager for advice for your building.

08.01.2022 Committee Meetings are a platform that allows Body Corporate Committee Members to come together to discuss ongoing matters within their complex. This can include but is not limited to items such as major & minor maintenance issues, financials for the Body Corporate, dispute resolutions and any other motions that may have been submitted for discussion. Committee Members are nominated at a Body Corporate’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Committee Roles can be decided at the AGM ...Continue reading

08.01.2022 A Body Corporate Committee is a group of elected volunteers, who are dedicating their time to be involved with the running of the Body Corporate. The majority of what Committees will be involved with would be making decisions relating to maintenance items or improvements/upgrades to common property and shared facilities, including the authorisation of expenditures for these. The Committee is responsible for instructing and working alongside their Body Corporate Managers for a...ny issues or items that may arise, including but not limited to items such as building insurance renewal, pet applications or dispute resolutions. A Committee is elected each year at the Body Corporate’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). A Committee members term of office will end immediately before the election of a new Committee at the AGM. From there members can nominate themselves for the committee or they can nominate any other person, provided the nomination comes from an eligible member of the Body Corporate. Committee nominations can, in some cases, be put forward at the AGM, however, members can also submit nominations for the committee in writing prior to the AGM. This is usually the case for members who cannot make the meeting or have nominated someone as their proxy for the meeting. If voting papers are used for your AGM, it is recommended that nominations be submitted in writing prior to the AGM. In the Northern Territory, Body Corporate Committees can comprise of up to 7 but no less than 2 elected members. From there, Committee will need to vote on Chairperson and Secretary role at the first committee meeting, if not decided at the AGM. Not all Committee roles are required to be delegated to form a committee. Provided that the committee meets the minimum requirement of 2 members, they are only required to elect a member to the Chairperson and Secretary roles, any other members can be ordinary members. Committee Members will often be elected into their roles immediately at an AGM, however, this is not always the case. Delegation of committee roles can be postponed until the first Committee Meeting, to take place following the AGM. At this Committee Meeting, the Committee positions will be voted on, in most cases on a majority vote basis. The Body Corporate Committee is a crucial part of the running of a Body Corporate, as they are elected representatives of all owners, working with the support and guidance of the Body Corporate Manager in order to protect the value of the building for the benefit of all owners. Election of your Committee is also one of the most important reasons that you should attend your AGM, as each member’s input can make difference. If you have questions relating to or would like to know more about your Committee, contact your Body Corporate Managers for further advice.

07.01.2022 Body Corporate By-Laws (or Articles) are a set of rules adopted by a Body Corporate at the time of registration. Dependant on when your complex was registered, it will come under either the Unit Titles Act or the Unit Title Schemes Act in the NT. The By-Laws/Articles may be derived directly from the relevant Act or a different set of rules may be put in place, typically by the original developer of the complex. In cases where By-Laws/Articles are derived from the appropriat...e Act, the By-Laws/Articles will only include rules which pertain to the complex. For example, a complex without a pool will not have any rules relating to pools in their By-Laws/Articles. These are rules put in place to manage the obligations and rights of the Body Corporate, unit owners and occupants in relation to the complex and any common property within. They will also typically cover behaviour within the units and changes to the external appearances of said units. House Rules are typically a more detailed set of rules based on the existing by-laws/articles for the complex. These are for ease of reference for occupants, as they give further definition to the By-laws/Articles, with specific examples that pertain to the complex. As an example, a By-law might state that Any noise must not interfere with a resident’s peaceful enjoyment of their lot. This could be re-iterated in the House Rules to narrow down the rule’s intention. In this example, the item in the House Rules could state Noise is to be kept to a minimum between the hours of 10:00PM & 8:00AM. House Rules in short, are extracts or re-phrasing of a Body Corporate’s By-Laws/Articles, made to assist members with understanding their responsibilities, with respect to the complexes By-Laws/Articles. In order to amend By-Laws/Articles, a special resolution must be passed at a General Meeting. We recommend you check in with your Strata Managers to be fully aware of all the processes involved following the special resolution to ensure amendments are valid, and in accordance with the relevant Act.

07.01.2022 Rico is back to discuss resignation from Committee in your building

06.01.2022 Have you ever noticed lights in your building remaining on unnecessarily, or even on at all times? If so, you have probably thought about the effect those lights may be having on the Common-Area power bills. Lights that remain on can take a hefty toll on your common electricity. In particular, lights with fluorescent bulbs or tubes have the worst toll, as they consume the most power. In most instances of common lighting issues, we recommend our committees look into the option... of lighting upgrades, usually to a completely LED Light based system. While this can seem like a big job, the pro’s far outweigh the cons. In larger buildings, committees will be looking at replacement lighting for quite a few areas, such as carparks, stairwells, storage areas and maintenance/communications rooms. These areas combined can make for quite a daunting Job, especially regarding the costs associated. However, if you take into consideration the amount of money spent on replacing fluorescent bulbs over time and maintenance of the fittings, the money a body corporate already spends on lighting can amount to be quite large. LED lighting actually saves more money in the long run, and in many cases, saves more money on electricity and bulb replacement within 2 years of the installation than the amount spent on the actual upgrade. With that, LED lighting also helps to reduce the body corporates carbon emissions from the use of less power, meaning that the upgrade will have positive impacts on both the environment, and the Body Corporate’s common-area electric bill. Usually when Body Corporates undergo the lighting upgrade, contractors will also have the committee consider timers and/or motion sensors for the light system. These sensors ensure that lights are only turned on when needed and turn off when not, further aiding in the reduction of common-area electricity costs. With the upgrade to an LED system, a Body Corporate can save thousands of dollars annually, just on common-area power alone. While it may seem like the Body Corporate is spending more money than necessary on the upgrade, LED light systems will show their value in the form of reduction of common electricity bills in the months following the installation. For those Body Corporates unable to commit to a full upgrade, a good alternative is to replace fittings as they fail. This is a longer term option some find more suitable as it will gradually lead to a full replacement If you have queries relating to your Common lighting or upgrading to an LED system, contact your Body Corporate Manager to seek advice.

05.01.2022 One of the items that may be included in your Annual General Meeting (AGM) minutes is the Body Corporate Manager’s or Chairperson’s Reports. These reports are not compulsory unless the Chairperson or Manager deem necessary. In these cases, one or the other, sometimes both, will be presented during the AGM for discussion amongst members. The Manager’s & Chairperson’s reports provide a means of communication between the themselves and the Body Corporate Members, particularly fo...r ongoing, non-urgent issues or works that are or have taken place throughout that year. The main difference between a Chairperson’s Report and a Manager’s Report is the perspective of the author and the opinions/understanding that comes with. Generally speaking, a Manager’s report would be more administration/financial oriented, whereas the Chairperson’s would pertain more to operational matters. A Chairperson, particularly those who are Owner-Occupiers, will be able to report on day-today issues they notice throughout the year, as they are able to inspect and report on issues quickly as they are discovered. The Manager’s report on the other hand, would provide information relating to the administration of the Body Corporate (insurance renewals, planned works/quotations etc.) as well as the financial status of the Body Corporate, detailing issues like the body corporate's budgets or outstanding arrears. Neither report is required to be part of the AGM notice pack, however, brief report either from Chairperson or Manager can sometimes provide clearer picture on what has been happening on the ground, especially if there have been works carried out for the common property. If you are interested in your Manager’s or Chairperson’s report, check for a copy in your Body Corporate’s most recent AGM Minutes.

03.01.2022 Body Corporate gas is a common topic throughout the queries we receive here at North Management. Body Corporate gas refers to the gas supply for your Building, often used for the provision of hot water or to supply to gas cook-tops within the units. One of the more common question we receive from our members is the query of how is gas connected to my unit or is gas paid for by the Body Corporate. Generally speaking, gas is usually paid for by the Body Corporate and budget...ed for the duration of the financial year, with owners contributing to gas expense through their levy payment. However, some buildings can also have their gas metered individually, per unit. This means each unit owner is responsible for keeping an account active with the gas provider. Maintenance of gas utilities is a team effort, between individual owners and the Body Corporate. There needs to be a clear distinction of responsibility in relation to maintenance of these utilities, in most instances utilities shared between multiple units falls under the Body Corporate responsibility. This would apply to piping and gas tanks servicing multiple units or for the whole building. Responsibility would fall under the unit owner if those utility runs service exclusively to that particular unit, for example piping for gas supply to unit’s kitchen stove-top or unit’s hot water tanks, if they are gas-supplied. While the gas supply for your building may only be for hot water or cook-tops, there are several other areas gas supply can be found within a Body Corporate. You can also find gas supply in heated swimming pools, barbeques or even central heating in a building To find out more about gas and how it is maintained and billed within your Body Corporate, contact your Body Corporate Managers for further advice.

02.01.2022 If you live in a multi-story apartment complex, particularly a tiled-floor building, you may have noticed or had issues with condensation forming on your floors. This can sometimes appear out of nowhere, leaving you with a small puddles on your tiles and the safety hazard following that. While it may seem odd, this issue is actually most often caused by use of air-conditioners in a unit below yours. This is one of the most frequent issues reported by residents. Particularly i...n the build-up to the wet season, as the weather is heating up, a resident below you may have their air-conditioner set at a lower temperature. If the temperature is lower than what you have set for your unit, there is a strong chance that the contrasting temperatures will cause condensation to form on the floors of the unit with the higher temperature. While you can just towel dry the floors, this isn’t a permanent solution to the issue, especially if it persists after being dried. The most often cause of the issue is prolonged use of air-conditioners. We have had instances of units with air-conditioners left on once the guests have left (short-stay accommodations). However, there have been other times where residents may have left an air-conditioner on for the day while at work, with their above neighbor coming home to find the floors covered in water. During the construction of the building, the space between floors is usually insulated to prevent these type of issues arising. Depending on the age of your building, this may actually be the cause of the issue. If the unit is an older one, the insulation may have deteriorated over time, meaning there is nothing to prevent the transfer of the colder temperatures. The simplest solution to this issue is to try and acclimate your unit with surrounding temperatures. Most Darwin residents will use their air-conditioners at night, leaving windows open throughout the day for the breeze and air circulation. This is a good routine to stick to if you are trying to mitigate the issue. While this may be the simplest solution, it’s not always possible in some cases. You can try and discuss this issue with your neighbor below to try and resolve the situation. If issue persist and it becomes a continued behavior the next step in solving the issue is to contact your Body Corporate Managers for support. They can assist in contacting the owner/managing agent and try to pinpoint the cause and resolve it. If you are having floor condensation issues and aren’t sure how to proceed, contact your Body Corporate Managers for further advice.

01.01.2022 Fire safety and compliance can be quite an extensive task to manage within the setting of a body corporate. As an owner, tracking all of the necessary firefighting and prevention equipment in a building is quite tricky, as there is often equipment an owner may not be aware of. One of the biggest points of confusion we have noticed are Fire Doors and the processes & compliance obligations surrounding them. Like all fire safety equipment, Fire Doors must be inspected on routine... to ensure they are still compliant with the relevant Australian Standards. Fire Doors differ from ordinary doors in a few ways, however, not all are visible to the naked eye. Fire doors are made using a fire-resistant material, usually matching the material of the wall it’s positioned in. Materials used will often be chosen for their ability to withstand extreme temperatures. These doors will also have a closing-mechanism and a self-latching mechanism, as well as a sign on the door to state that it’s a Fire door. The reason these items are required is because these doors usually separate different ‘fire-compartments’ within a building. Fire compartments are the different areas of a building, separated by walls/doors made of and appropriate FRL (Fire resistance level) material. Fire compartments could be a whole unit, the fire-stairs, mechanical services rooms or even the lobby of your building. These fire doors must be kept closed at all times, as this ensures that if there is a fire within a building, it remains within the fire compartment in which the fire started. Fire doors are not immune to flames. Their purpose is to provide enough time for the fire-brigade to extinguish a fire or for residents to evacuate before the fire spreads. Fire doors work in cooperation with other fire safety equipment, such as thermal/smoke detectors or fire-sprinklers, to provide as much safety as possible against the threat of fire spreading to your unit. If you are curious about fire doors & safety equipment within your building, ask your Strata Manager for an overview of what’s protecting you.