Whatever we call it, Strata/Body Corporate/Unit tiles/Multi-Unit, 2017 was a brilliant and busy year for us all, both fascinating and exhilarating and what a journey it has been!.
Lots of challenges and successes and huge profiling and growth for both Property 101 Group and SCA(NZ). Similarly we have been lucky enough to have a wonderful summer and as we launch into 2018 it is good to remind ourselves of our purpose and refocus goals, rejuvenated and ready to hit the ground running!
I have recently been in touch with the Unit Titles Act Review team at MBIE and they have advised that they hope to be in a position to advise on final policy decisions and next steps shortly.
The proposals would implement a change across the whole sector, affecting everyone. Our consultations throughout 2016/17 proposed reforms that relate to improving disclosure requirements, body corporate governance and management, long-term maintenance plans, and dispute resolution. The Property 101 Group and SCA(NZ) submissions want to instil better protections for people buying, living or working in unit titles and we want to work with the Government to ensure that the new reforms effectively address concerns of all stakeholders involved.
The various submissions received by MBIE on the UTA review have now been publicly released and are available by following the link below.
http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/housing-property/unit-titles/review-of-the-unit-titles-act-2010
Please note that in order to protect confidential and personal information, redactions have been made to some submissions and three submissions have not been published.
We will continue to keep you updated as we hear more on this highly anticipated journey.
On the SCA(NZ) front it has been a pleasure representing the association as President both on a national and international level and I look forward to working with both our founding and new members, sponsors and Trans-Tasman partners this year.
My single most important goal when I set out to establish a peak industry body in NZ was to collaborate. To get everyone in a room together to network, engage and work together towards a more vibrant big picture… and here we are!
According to government statistics, there are 145,000 New Zealand households living in apartments and townhouses with this number expected to double by 2040. On top of that we have the commercial, retail and mixed use strata component and an industry that continues to diversify. My ongoing work with our esteemed executive and International counterparts reminds us of the complex nature of what we all do. I have been lucky enough to build on extremely valuable foundations and resources and nurture the importance of the comradery and relationships we build in our own communities, as well as the high level of information sharing and knowledge everyone brings to the table.
Similarly the Griffith University conference sponsored by SCA illuminated the need for improved infrastructure to support sustainability and higher density development within a fit for purpose framework and as a Chapter we can tap into resources to elevate best practice across the sector.
It truly is an exciting time to be involved in the multi-unit sector and with amazing industry and client support as we approach our second anniversary I can honestly say I have never been more proud to be part of this sector and look forward to what the future will bring.
Kind Regards
Joanne Barreto – Director
Property 101 Group
