Greens launch "Rights on High" campaign for apartment dwellers

Greens MP and Upper House candidate Lee Rhiannon and Sydney Greens candidate Chris Harris today launched the Greens 'Rights on High' campaign for apartment dwellers.

"The Greens 'Rights on High' campaign is working to change the law to give apartment owners and long term residents protection from unfair treatment by developers, building managers and strata managers," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Apartment dwellers have very few rights at present and Labor and the Coalition show no interest in their problems. Most of the big city apartment blocks are built by developers that are bankrolling Labor and the Coalition with huge donations.

"Big developers like Meriton and Multiplex are making millions of dollars in profits out of city apartment complexes. The current strata law favours the developers and building managers so it is very difficult for owners and residents to have building defects rectified."

Mr Harris said: "Under the existing laws, an owners' corporation can be dominated by a developer and levies can be increased by 100 or 200 percent from one year to the next and owners can't do a thing about it. Owners' corporations should work in the interests of owners and residents not developers.

"Under the Greens' proposal, manager contracts will only last for one year, not a ten year arrangement with a developer mate, after which time building managers would have to apply to the owners corporation to renew their contract. This will make sure that building managers and strata managers look after residents' interests.

"The Greens 'Rights on High' campaign is informing apartment dwellers of how much developers are donating to Labor and the Coalition. This helps people understand why the major parties are not doing anything to change the law that allows developers to dodge their responsibilities.

"The Greens are asking apartment dwellers to support our 'Charter for change' which includes the creation of a Strata Ombudsman, more power for owner-occupiers, and effective dispute resolution processes.

"There are a lot of angry apartment dwellers in Sydney. I am confident that when they hear about how the law can be changed to give them more rights, we will win support for the Greens campaign.

"The Greens plan to move the Strata Schemes Management (Rights for Owner-Occupiers and Long Term Residents) Bill in the next parliament."

The Greens are calling for:

· The creation of a Strata Ombudsman who will examine all aspects of strata life, ensuring fair dealing and exposing those who are exploiting loopholes in the law to the detriment of the strata community.

· More power for owner-occupiers. The Greens propose that owner occupiers get two votes in the Owners Corporation because, unlike some absentee landlords who only consider profits, they also care about the quality of life in their block.

· A vote for long-term tenants. After a tenant has lived in a unit for two years, they should be eligible for a vote as well as the owner but only on non-financial matters.

· Forcing owners corporation members to declare any connections they may have with the developer, building manager or contractor.

· Independent assessors appointed by the government to make judgements on building defects. If the developer disagrees with the assessment they can appeal through the courts but they would be opposing the government, not owner/residents. This would mean that the legal costs of the dispute would not be borne by an individual Owners Corporation.

· All sales or transfers of management contracts to be approved at the time of transfer by Owners Corporations. (At present there is a loophole in the law whereby contracts give prior permission to such sales and the owners have no say)

· Giving Owners Corporations real power to stop units being rented out as unofficial backpacker hostels.

· The power for Owners Corporations to give permission to the council to allow council rangers to fine people who park illegally within private parking areas.

· Ensuring that residents cannot remove carpet or other insulating material from floors unless they take other measures to maintain soundproofing.