What Can I Do to Stop The Council of Owners from Abusing Their Power and Targeting People on Our Level?

Ldjpocky on 21/01/2020 - 01:10
Last edited 21/01/2020 - 11:17 by 1 other user

I live on level 4 of my apartment and everyone living in my floor do not complain about each other. We live in harmony. Recently, the council of owners have been using the master fob to patrol my level to take photos of every tenants shoes that were left at the front of their own apartment doors. We've been doing it for 3 years and so do people who are actually living in level 4. We don't have problems with each other. It's the council of owners who have problems but when asked why they would complain about our shoes on our floor because they don't even live there, they keep playing dumb and say that the person who made the complaint (and issued the tenants in level 4 with breach of notices $57 fine) is coming from someone living in level 4. This is not true.

What can I do to stop the council of owners from abusing their power and targeting people on our level?

We were all living comfortably and in peace before they butt in. They don't live in our floor anyway. If they don't like it, then stop coming to our floor.

Strata manager is acting on their interests too.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • ozhunter on 21/01/2020 - 01:12
    +154

    Dude, just keep your shoes inside your apartment. It's not hard.

    • kerfuffle on 21/01/2020 - 05:18
      +10

      Especially since you claimed in your inflammatory post they were precious and expensive …

      They don't live in our floor anyway. If they don't like it, then stop coming to our floor.

      They have a right to go to your floor if they want to, as a resident of the apartment building, just like you …

      You might not be trolling, but you sound like an immature, illogical neighbour if your previous post was anything to go by.

      • Kenb0 on 21/01/2020 - 09:26
        +9

        Feel like I missed out on a doozy of a previous post. Several references to it from this thread but I can't find it! This is what happens when I'm too busy at work to check ozbargain religiously like I normally do :)

        • CBrads4 on 22/01/2020 - 12:38

          I just had a look at OP's profile, looks like it was taken down. A shame for the rest of us.

  • Davo1111 on 21/01/2020 - 01:25
    +87

    shoes shouldnt be outside for two reasons.

    1. it's a common area, not for storage
    2. in the event of an evacuation, people could trip on your shoes.

    As far as the other question goes, join the body corporate, get a majority, and change the bylaws to allow shoes in corridors

    • Donaldhump on 21/01/2020 - 02:18

      What do you mean by join the body Corp

      If you own it your are part of it
      If you rent you can’t be part of it

      • Davo1111 on 21/01/2020 - 02:33
        +9

        most people dont attend.

        • neonlight on 21/01/2020 - 14:32
          +1

          Because it's fricken waste of time. Usually nothing gets done. All you do is pay pay pay

          • banana365 on 21/01/2020 - 16:14
            +10

            @neonlight: So people need to get off their arses and make sure that something gets done. The number of people that moan about inaction but do absolutely nothing themselves is infuriating.

            • neonlight on 21/01/2020 - 17:27
              +2

              @banana365: I cannot recall how much effort and time I put in still nothing done by the strata. There you go. Never live in apartment again

              Many useless strata managers and companies just take your money and no action

              Always very slow

              • Davo1111 on 21/01/2020 - 18:15
                +4

                @neonlight: so get rid of them, and replace with an active strata filled with residents?

                • John Kimble on 21/01/2020 - 23:39

                  @Davo1111: Active strata is like saying honest lawyer or honest car sales person…doesn't exist

                • neonlight on 22/01/2020 - 18:58

                  @Davo1111: Good luck with that. It needs to be voted also one filled with residents usually have motives for selfishness. This is the reason why most are external

          • Chandler on 22/01/2020 - 11:12

            @neonlight:

            All you do is pay pay pay

            Body Corporate fees are payable regardless of you attendance to it's meetings.

            You're attendance may, however, give you some insight on what there for and perhaps some control of it.

      • tihir on 21/01/2020 - 21:20

        Almost - there was a recent legislative change so in strata schemes where at least half of the lots are tenanted, the tenants can nominate a tenant representative to the strata committee. The tenant representative is entitled to:

        receive a copy of the agenda
        attend and speak at strata committee meetings. They can still be asked to leave the meeting if financial issues are discussed.

        The tenant representative does not have a vote and they cannot make up the quorum of a meeting.

        …. which is all well and good in theory but 1/2 the units being rented is a high bar, good luck co-ordinating that and with no vote the owners can just ignore you after you've had your say….

    • spackbace on 21/01/2020 - 01:33
      +9

      Nice trolling

      • djpocky on 21/01/2020 - 01:41
        -7

        It's real 😂 btw I'm a girl

        • spackbace on 21/01/2020 - 01:44
          +8

          With only 1 pair of shoes? That's a shocker

        • ronnknee on 21/01/2020 - 20:36
          +2

          What does trolling have anything to do with your gender?

    • Hybroid on 21/01/2020 - 02:09
      +11

      You posted this yesterday accusing one of the residents and now someone else. Read your building by-laws and find out if it’s a rule or not. If it is, comply with the rules and don’t leave shoes out. It’s not a difficult concept. You can’t force what you want regardless of how long you’ve been breaking the rules.

    • zedz on 21/01/2020 - 08:40
      +1

      And everyone else's was too previously - having to walk past a hallway of smelly shoes!

      It probably was someone on Level 4 (the other 20% - refer to previous inflammatory post) who just doesn't want to own up and is ultra annoyed.

  • Donaldhump on 21/01/2020 - 01:53
    +19

    Keep your shoes inside, it’s not your hallway to leave them in, no one wants a smelly hallway or a trip hazard

    • whooah1979 on 21/01/2020 - 02:04

      Are doormats allowed in WA?

      • Davo1111 on 21/01/2020 - 02:07

        would depend on the body corp

        • whooah1979 on 21/01/2020 - 02:10

          Ok. Thanks.

          • Donaldhump on 21/01/2020 - 02:19

            @whooah1979: I think door mat is ok , but could be a trip hazard

            • Drewbo on 21/01/2020 - 16:10

              @Donaldhump: I recently had a note from Strata shoved under my door requesting that I remove my doormat or face sanctions. NSW here.

              • Donaldhump on 21/01/2020 - 16:12

                @Drewbo: I assume its common property so maybe fair enough if someone tripped they may be sued.

                also sucks because most doors )if not all) open inwards so how do u you wipe your feet.

                solution : just wipe your feet on their carpet and demand it be cleaned when it gets filthy they have to comply with that request

                • Drewbo on 21/01/2020 - 16:16

                  @Donaldhump: Yeah, trip hazard they claim. My door opens to a small vestibule which provides access to only my apartment and one other. There's a separate (locked) door leading to the stairwell. I have since put an Ikea mat immediately inside my door to wipe my feet on. My neighbour got the same note - we just complied.

                  • John Kimble on 21/01/2020 - 23:41
                    +3

                    @Drewbo:

                    we just complied.

                    How dare you? I demand a forum post immediately!

                • Davo1111 on 21/01/2020 - 18:17

                  @Donaldhump:

                  solution : just wipe your feet on their carpet and demand it be cleaned when it gets filthy they have to comply with that request

                  Unless you're making a mess in your apartment, then the dirty carpet will be at the entrance to the building, not your apartment.

                  If there are no shoes inside the house, take them off before you go in, and drop them in a tub (or rack)

  • whooah1979 on 21/01/2020 - 02:02
    -4

    Don't pay it. Wait for strata take you to SAT.

  • garetz on 21/01/2020 - 03:57
    +16

    You are breaking bylaws, it doesnt matter who makes a complaint or the complaint is fictional, you are lucky they warned you at all, in my building they would of paid someone to remove your shoes from the common area and dispose of them without notice, keeping any of your belongings in the common area is a big nono, they are hazards and can cause injury to others visiting the building which then the bodycorp can be held responsible for.

    Just cause you dont like something doesnt mean you are in the right about it.

  • RockyRaccoon on 21/01/2020 - 04:04
    +23

    You assume it’s not someone on your floor complaining.

    They just don’t want to tell you they aren’t happy so they complain to the body corporate, and ask that they not be identified.

    • bmerigan on 22/01/2020 - 21:41

      My thought too. Resident complains, council comes to inspect and take photos.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 21/01/2020 - 06:54
    +1

    When did (in NSW) strata complexes ever have the power to issue fines for a by-law breach? As far as I know, they can't and only the respective tribunal can. Sounds like a dodgy $57 fine if you are NSW - probably had the banking details of the OC member.

    https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/stra…

    • RockyRaccoon on 21/01/2020 - 07:01

      Click on the OP’s name and you will find they are in WA. Different rules..

      • TheMindsetTraveller on 21/01/2020 - 08:45

        So in W.A a member of the owners corporation can, legally?, issue a monetary fine (without going to a tribunal to order a fine)? wow, if this is correct, opens up a can of worms to corruption/bullying/scare tactics/favouritism/revenue raising and what not.

        • whooah1979 on 21/01/2020 - 09:39
          +2

          It isn't a fine. They give a notice to pay. It may then be enforced by the SAT. That is if they bother to take it that far.

          • TheMindsetTraveller on 21/01/2020 - 14:01

            @whooah1979: Thanks, notice to pay in effect is the same as a fine? same same different words?

            If I was on the owners corporation and didn't like someone for whatever reasons … I'll just write them up a notice to pay and say you left dirt when you walked in the hallway, that's 50 bux thanks? Same person has a dog and barked once in a year, I'll just write up a $70 fine for disturbing the neighbours.

            When/how does it get enforced by SAT?

            Completely opposite to what happens here in NSW; breach a by law, strata takes you to NCAT (similar to SAT), then NCAT is only allowed to levy a penalty (notice to pay etc).

  • wiipantz on 21/01/2020 - 08:33
    +2

    Welcome to the 4th tier of Aust. Govt. Also sounds like a fire hazard

      • kerfuffle on 21/01/2020 - 09:26
        +7

        There's three levels of government in Australia. Federal, State and Local aka your council who collects the garbage. wiipantz is saying the owners' council is like a fourth level …

          • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 21/01/2020 - 10:30
            +3

            @EightImmortals: Hahahahahahahhahahahah here we go. Found the constitutional nuffy. I bet you're a hoot on conspiracy Facebook groups as well.

            Local Government is specifically permitted under our constitution. Our states have their own constitution under the powers granted in the constitution. Each state has their own local government legislation under these powers granted.

            In particular you should read the provisions of s51 and s106-109

            We've had forms of land tax and rates since the ~1860s. We've had forms of local government since ~1880s. There's nothing illegal about. The states have, and continue to have, powers to enact and use Local Government.

            The referendums were to amend the constitution to include the term and definition of Local Government directly. NOT to "allow" or "confirm legality" of Local Government. So we are stuck with State Gov being the middleman for Federal funding to Local Governments and enforcing laws. More paperwork and more money spent for the exact same outcome. Local Government wants to enact a law? Massive path to get it enacted and a heap more $$$ money wasted to get to that outcome.

            Instead of believing idiotic boomer memes on social media echo chambers, how about you read and learn from the source.

            • EightImmortals on 21/01/2020 - 10:39
              -3

              @Typical16-bitEnjoyer: Lols, keep drinking the coolaide. :)

              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_referendum,1988(Local_Government)

              The Australian Constitution recognises Government at Federal and State levels, but makes no mention of local government. Constitution Alteration (Local Government) 1988 proposed to alter the constitution so as to recognise local government.

          • whooah1979 on 21/01/2020 - 10:38
            +2

            @EightImmortals: https://www.peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliam…

            Australia has three levels of law-making—often referred to as the three levels of government— that work together to provide us with the services we need.

            The three levels are:

            federal—Australian—Parliament, in Canberra
            state and territory parliaments, in each state and territory capital city
            local councils—also called shires or municipalities—across Australia.

            Australia has 1 federal Parliament, 6 state and 2 territory parliaments, and over 500 local councils.

            >

            https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/about/Pages/Levels-of-Gove…
            Almost everywhere you live in Australia you will have three elected governments – Federal, State (or Territory) and Local.

            • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 21/01/2020 - 10:47
              +1

              @whooah1979: Stop talking sense! EightImmortals has seen a poorly crafted meme somewhere on Facebook saying RATES ARE ILLEGAL! OMG

              He probably worships at the feet of Wayne Glew:

              a claimant, defendant or appellant in at least 16 Court proceedings in which he has argued against the validity of the Australian Constitution. Glew has not been successful in a single proceeding to date."
              Source

              Glew tried to avoid paying rates for a decade, went to Court 16 times saying Local Goverments were illegal, was banned from the Courts and had his house repossessed a year or so ago.

              • whooah1979 on 21/01/2020 - 10:50
                +1

                @Typical16-bitEnjoyer:

                was banned from the Courts and had his house repossessed a year or so ago.

                LOL. They take his home and make him pay for it.

                • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 21/01/2020 - 10:53
                  +1

                  @whooah1979: Yep.

                  He still thinks the Queen is going to reverse everything tho. Hahahaha.

                  He's an ex-motorbike copper who fell and hit his head in the 1980s, retired on disability, became an "inventor" and ripped off people, then became a Constitutional "expert" with a very small uneducated following on Facebook. Nuffies are drawn to him for some reason.

                  No one likes paying rates. But they're legal.

                  • EightImmortals on 21/01/2020 - 10:55
                    -2

                    @Typical16-bitEnjoyer: Woah this thread has gotten way too surreal for me, I don't even HAVE a Facebook account. Let the assumptions continue! I'm off to the gym.

                    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 21/01/2020 - 10:57
                      +2

                      @EightImmortals: I don't doubt things are surreal for you. You think Local Goverments are a Federal conspiracy against the people lolllll.

                    • wiipantz on 21/01/2020 - 14:34
                      +1

                      @EightImmortals: Wow… how embarrassing. Doesn't even know what a master fob is!

          • Vote for Pedro on 21/01/2020 - 20:12
            -1

            @EightImmortals: I’m a sovereign citizen and the constitution… blah blah blah

      • wiipantz on 21/01/2020 - 14:35

        Bwahahahahahaha found the Kiwi.

  • bdl on 21/01/2020 - 08:37
    +8

    NCIS: MASTER FOB SHOE BANDIT INVESTIGATIONS

    • nickxau on 21/01/2020 - 14:05
      +5

      DUN DUN

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 21/01/2020 - 08:42
    +7

    Is this the same fool as yesterday?

    • rb123 on 21/01/2020 - 08:54
      +2

      yes

    • cktftw on 21/01/2020 - 11:22
      +2

      What did I miss?

      • spackbace on 21/01/2020 - 14:41
        +2

        Google knows

        • sss333 on 21/01/2020 - 17:24

          Interestingly Google cache didn't help me, Bing cache had it though.

          • Kenb0 on 22/01/2020 - 01:01

            @sss333: You wouldn't happen to have a convenient URL to that cache would you? I can't seem to find it on my mobile browser

  • [Deactivated] on 21/01/2020 - 08:55
    +24

    You're not allowed to leave your shoes outside.

    You've been told to not leave your shoes outside.

    Do not leave your shoes outside.

    • spackbace on 21/01/2020 - 12:30
      +20

      Your shoes have been turned into a brick

      You have 24hrs to move your brick

  • Seraphin7 on 21/01/2020 - 09:40
    +2

    Gee I hope this story gets picked up by the mainstream and serialised.

  • JimmyF on 21/01/2020 - 09:56

    What can I do to stop the council of owners from abusing their power and targeting people on our level?

    Follow the rules and you won't be fined. Its that simple.

  • Porker on 21/01/2020 - 10:08
    +1

    My response to you yesterday was on the lines of you should move out if you want to be happy.

    If you pay the fine, you'll be forever disgruntled at the council. If you don't pay the fine, you'll always be on the look out for other infractions to justify what you are doing.

    With respect to what you are doing, it's been stated that it's not your area to store goods - you appear to justify it by saying it's only shoes. But what if (for example) your neighbour was to store their rubbish bin in the hallway or items that you found offensive? Then the next neighbour thinks it's okay to dump stuff in the hallway and then puts their used bed mattress out etc.

    I think you get the point. Just because you don't find shoes offensive (and granted it is accepted practise in some cultures) doesn't mean that it's the right thing to do for resident community, and in this case it's a clear breach of the council rules.

    The good suggestion yesterday was for you to get on the council of owners and from there motion to remove those rules.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/01/2020 - 10:36
    +1

    What can I do to stop the council of owners from abusing their power and targeting people on our level?

    Since when is actionning on a valid complaint considered an abuse of power? Pay the fine and keep your shoes inside.

  • Candour on 21/01/2020 - 11:04

    ring fair trading. find out if their bylaws clearly specify this. object through the tribunal.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 21/01/2020 - 11:15

      …"Fair Trading"? In WA? Even if they did exist, what do you think they could actually do to help OP?

      • Baysew on 21/01/2020 - 11:32
        +1

        Perhaps Peccadilloes may not be suggesting that they could actually help the OP, rather that the OP should go somewhere else, other than OzBargain, with their ridiculous shoe issue.

  • brendanm on 21/01/2020 - 11:18
    +4

    Is this the homophobic, entitled op from yesterday?

    • Adz81 on 21/01/2020 - 11:39
      +2

      The very one…
      But homophoic might be a bit of a stretch… Maybe it's just the drugs those gays take that the op has an issue with O_o

  • tomsco on 21/01/2020 - 11:47
    +4

    I don't think anyone had your back on the last post, why post again?

  • tsunamisurfer on 21/01/2020 - 12:28
    -7

    Go and find all the Asians in the complex and ask them to back you when you raise a motion of allowing shoes in the corridor better still ask them to make you their proxy.

    Go to AGM and raise the motion, and if you have majority, it will be allowed.

    I'm with the OP, shoes inside the house is disgusting.

    • whooah1979 on 21/01/2020 - 12:39
      -5

      People removing their shoes before entering someone’s home is a common thing to do. People living in units may as well get used to it now rather than later.
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tradition_of_removing_shoes_in…
      .

    • Porker on 21/01/2020 - 14:38

      Dirty shoes in home is disgusting. Dirty shoes outside of home where other people congregate/use is disgusting. Where do you suggest shoes be kept that isn't disgusting to someone?

      • whooah1979 on 21/01/2020 - 14:44

        Residents shouldn’t loiter in front of their neighbours front door.

        • Porker on 21/01/2020 - 16:53

          I was implying that while dirty shoes might be in front of your home, other people/residents do pass by it.

  • blackout134 on 21/01/2020 - 15:16
    +1

    It's not abuse of power if it's in the body corporate rules. I suggest you check them and if it is and you don't like it find somewhere else to live where you can put your shoes wherever you want.

  • cyrax83 on 21/01/2020 - 15:26
    +1

    Wow

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