Today's session, I want to talk to you about how residents could deal with smoke drift issues. This usually happens where in strata communities where they live in close proximity and from time to time, you would have neighbors who would be smoking on the common property or within their lot, but it would unfortunately still reach those residents who do not want smoke drift to reach them.

In most states in Australia, there are already within the rules and bylaws. The requirement for residents to take all reasonable actions to not have smoke drift reach another lot or the common property. But if that persists, what are your options? I always say it's best to first address the issue with the alleged offender where you assess that it's appropriate.

For you to talk directly with the neighbor, take that opportunity. Don't just tell them “Stop smoking”or “I'm not enjoying the smoke drift that's reaching me.” Have them understand the situation as to how it is actually impacting your enjoyment of your unit or apartment. Having these types of discussions, you're actually able to take a hold of the situation so that they can better understand.

But I do understand that there are times where it's not appropriate to approach the residents about that ongoing issue. Where you decide to lodge a complaint with the strata community because you want them to do something about it, such as enforce the rule or by-law, it is absolutely important, in my view, that you accompany the complaint with a medical certificate to explain the reason why this should actually stop. By you addressing the complaint to the strata community, you are actually taking it in a level where you demonstrate that you're quite serious. And in my view, if there is a medical certificate or a thorough explanation as to how you are no longer enjoying enjoyment of your property, so that it is addressed to them and they understand why they should enforce the by-law or rule and require the resident to stop smoking and allowing smoking to the extent that it allows the smoke drift to reach your unit or apartment or even the common property. But remember where there is an opportunity for you directly talk to the person causing the smoke drift, take that opportunity. And when you’re told it's not appropriate, prepare supporting documents and information so that the strata community can make an informed decision as to whether they should enforce that particular by-law or rule.

Living in a strata community usually has to deal with limitation of parking spaces. Before you move into a strata community development, it's important that you understand parking spaces and the strata parking rules. This all depends on your personal preference and your personal circumstances. This also depends on how often you receive visitors.

Parking spaces would relate to your constant use of particular common parking spaces. This also could relate to your visitors' use of the parking spaces. And there are strata parking rules that usually govern these spaces. But the general one says that parking should not obstruct others' enjoyment of common property, meaning the parking spaces have to be used.

And this also means that if there's limitations in time when it comes to using visitor parking spaces, they should also be observed. What's important is you as a resident or you as a landlord, you both need to be aware about the strata parking rules. And also determine whether these types of parking spaces limitations fit your personal situation.

There are rights within Australia in respect of strata communities enforcing parking rules, but if in doubt if a parking rule is invalid, whether a parking rule is valid or invalid, it's important that you seek expert advice in that regard. Keep in mind when it comes to parking spaces to avoid conflict, understand the limitations and parking spaces and also understand the parking rules.

When it comes to water damages, the key thing that needs to be determined is where is the water coming from? It sounds like a simple question, but it becomes complex when you involve experts and they will explain to you that there are different ways to test where the water is coming from.

And it's not a simple test either. And it could be coming from multiple properties. It could be coming partly from common property or private property. There are also different ways that water leak is tested. They are the dye and water thermal tests. Also, there are methods of observing where the mold is coming from. These are just some of the many types of tests that could be carried out and the first thing they do is ask the question.

These tax reports are not straightforward, but that's actually the purpose of a report. Once that's been identified, if it's identified if it's from private property, the owner's rights is to make a claim against the owner of that private property. If the leak is coming from and or common property, an owner may have a claim against the owner's corporation, but it would not be sufficient where it is you, the layperson, would be identifying where the leak is coming from.

Even if you were an expert, it is in the best interest that you get a report that is independent from an expert who can identify and confirm in writing through a report where the leak or leaks are coming from. Next is what are the resultant damage that the water leak caused. It needs to be identified through a report what has been damaged within your property because of this water leak.