Over 80 per cent of people in the inner city live in apartments, mostly under strata title. Fair Trading is now reviewing strata laws to ensure they operate fairly, democratically and transparently. It is vital that everyone affected provide input. Laws were updated in 2015 and some issues still remain, for example some buildings still report proxy farming and others still report dysfunction. I will again call for a strata living commissioner to audit and oversee buildings with serious allegations of corruption or mismanagement.

The Strata Schemes Development Act 2015 is also under review. The act changed the voting threshold needed to sell an entire strata building for redevelopment from 100 per cent of owners to 75 per cent. I opposed the changes because they could force vulnerable people from their homes, and I encourage anyone concerned to make a submission.

This year the Supreme Court ruled that by-laws banning all pets are oppressive and therefore invalid, and Fair Trading is surveying apartment residents and owners to determine community support and opposition for bans as part of the review. I encourage everyone to take part.

Submissions close in March: > HERE.