An estimated quarter of the state's population are living in Strata-managed properties, and next month, the WA Government will be reviewing the law that governs them. Unlike other jurisdictions, strata managers are not specifically regulated in Western Australia, and advocates say the licensing of managers is urgently needed to ensure they're doing the right thing.
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00:00Rebecca Boehm worked for 11 years to buy a place for herself and her two boys.
00:07It was a big deal for me to purchase my own home for my kids, a huge deal.
00:11So to think about having to sell it makes me really sad, yeah.
00:16The dream of home ownership has been sullied by her experience of living in a strata-managed apartment.
00:22You don't know what's going to come on the next statement or the next invoice,
00:26how much it's going to be or what they're going to be expecting you to pay.
00:29Yeah, it's quite worrisome.
00:32In addition to a quarterly levy of $400, the single mother has been charged multiple miscellaneous levies,
00:39she says, without notice.
00:41In one instance, she was charged a miscellaneous levy of $625
00:46when she asked the strata agent why there was no response,
00:50after which she was charged interest for not paying.
00:54Oh my God, oh my goodness, oh my goodness.
00:57Rebecca Boehm says since she moved into her apartment in April 2021 up until January 2024,
01:04no AGMs were held with owners.
01:07People trust you with their money, they want you to take it and look after it
01:11and be accountable for what you're doing with it.
01:13It seems pretty simple to me.
01:15She's also been charged for gardening, despite there being no common garden
01:19and she's got a gaping hole in her driveway that she hasn't been able to get fixed.
01:24It was about a metre and a half down.
01:26Ms Boehm's strata agency, Cosmic Realty, denies any wrongdoing
01:31but declined to respond to the ABC's questions.
01:34The WA government will invite public submissions next month as part of its review into strata laws.
01:41Owner groups are pushing for the mandatory licensing of strata managers
01:45for the establishment of a strata commissioner so that people like Ms Boehm have somewhere to turn
01:50and for stronger measures to uphold the voting rights of owners.
01:54It's exactly that. It's a toothless saga.
01:56There's no accountability for anybody.
01:59They can do whatever they wish. It's nuts.
02:02We want to hear people's views, but I do know this.
02:05Any measure that you take where there is further regulation,
02:09there is potential for an increased cost on strata owners.
02:13Licensing is essential because otherwise you and I could open up a strata management company tomorrow,
02:17not know the Act, mislead our owners.
02:20A number of states are backing a national inquiry into strata management
02:24to bring consumer protections into line.
02:27But the federal government is yet to agree.