How do you know if your strata manager is doing a good job? Amanda Farmer – the owner of Lawyers Chambers, is back with us to share her thoughts on the current state of strata management, especially after the recent media attention that’s put the industry under fire.

We talk about what’s happening behind the scenes, why these issues have surfaced, and whether new legislation will actually make a difference—or just create more paperwork.

We talk about real concerns regarding commissions, conflicts of interest, and how strata managers can sometimes act without proper instructions. Amanda also gives us some tips on the kinds of questions owners should be asking their managers to make sure they’re getting a fair deal. Plus, we hear about the kinds of practices that make her ranty—and why she’s calling for bigger changes across the industry.

If you’re in a strata building, or thinking about buying into one, this episode is a must-listen. Amanda’s insights will help you spot red flags, ask the right questions, and better understand what good management should actually look like.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

01:01 - Who is Amanda Farmer?

02:04 - What’s got Amanda hot under the collar about strata?

04:29 - How widespread are unethical practices in strata management across Australia?

06:11 - What reforms are needed to address strata management ethics?

09:24 - Are strata management fees really comparable?

10:56 - What is the overall health of the strata management industry?

15:01 - Are top strata practitioners willing to shape the future or are they going to walk away?

18:45 - Is fear of a strata manager exodus shaping government policy on commissions?

22:53 - How does somebody become a strata manager?

24:18 - How can owners assess if their strata manager is good or bad?

27:20 - Are more people choosing to self-manage their strata properties?

29:20 - Options for replacing a bad strata manager and choosing a better one

32:27 - Has buyer understanding of strata improved, or is it still a barrier to due diligence?

34:25 - Will we ever see national oversight in strata management to address state gaps?

36:54 - What do strata managers need to learn beyond their basic training?

39:17 - Are people misunderstanding the purpose of the sinking fund in strata management?

41:22 - Are investors more likely to run properties into the ground to avoid strata costs?

51:17 - Amanda Farmer’s property dumbo

About Our Guest:

Amanda Farmer is a lawyer and the owner of Lawyers Chambers, a strata-focussed legal practice in Sydney. She is also the host of the long-running podcast Your Strata Property, the world’s only podcast dedicated to explaining the legal complexities of strata-titled properties. With over 20 years' experience in the strata legal sector, Amanda is both a Fellow and Council Member of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers, and she is also the founder of Women in Strata, a networking group for women working in strata management. An increasingly in-demand speaker and educator, Amanda has been educating strata managers, apartment owners and residents for many years, through round table workshops, webinars, seminars and keynote presentations.

Connect with Amanda Farmer:


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafarmerlaw/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourstrataproperty/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourstrataproperty/


Visit their website: https://yourstrataproperty.com.au/


Lawyers Chambers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lawyers-chambers-on-riley-pty-ltd

Resources mentioned in this episode:


20 Questions to Ask Your Strata Manager https://yourstrataproperty.com.au/questions/

Resources:


Visit our website https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au


If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at: The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au


Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.au


Work with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au


Looking for a Mortgage Broker? https://www.flintgroup.au


Work with Chris: chrisbates@flintgroup.au

Enjoyed the podcast? Don't miss out on what's yet to come! Hit that subscription button, spread the word and join us for more insightful discussions in real estate. Your journey starts now!


Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcast


Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719


Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765

How do you know if your strata manager is doing a good job? Amanda Farmer – the owner of Lawyers Chambers, is back with us to share her thoughts on the current state of strata management, especially after the recent media attention that’s put the industry under fire.
We talk about what’s happening behind the scenes, why these issues have surfaced, and whether new legislation will actually make a difference—or just create more paperwork.
We talk about real concerns regarding commissions, conflicts of interest, and how strata managers can sometimes act without proper instructions. Amanda also gives us some tips on the kinds of questions owners should be asking their managers to make sure they’re getting a fair deal. Plus, we hear about the kinds of practices that make her ranty—and why she’s calling for bigger changes across the industry.
If you’re in a strata building, or thinking about buying into one, this episode is a must-listen. Amanda’s insights will help you spot red flags, ask the right questions, and better understand what good management should actually look like.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
01:01 - Who is Amanda Farmer?
02:04 - What’s got Amanda hot under the collar about strata?
04:29 - How widespread are unethical practices in strata management across Australia?
06:11 - What reforms are needed to address strata management ethics?
09:24 - Are strata management fees really comparable?
10:56 - What is the overall health of the strata management industry?
15:01 - Are top strata practitioners willing to shape the future or are they going to walk away?
18:45 - Is fear of a strata manager exodus shaping government policy on commissions?
22:53 - How does somebody become a strata manager?
24:18 - How can owners assess if their strata manager is good or bad?
27:20 - Are more people choosing to self-manage their strata properties?
29:20 - Options for replacing a bad strata manager and choosing a better one
32:27 - Has buyer understanding of strata improved, or is it still a barrier to due diligence?
34:25 - Will we ever see national oversight in strata management to address state gaps?
36:54 - What do strata managers need to learn beyond their basic training?
39:17 - Are people misunderstanding the purpose of the sinking fund in strata management?
41:22 - Are investors more likely to run properties into the ground to avoid strata costs?
51:17 - Amanda Farmer’s property dumbo
About Our Guest:
Amanda Farmer is a lawyer and the owner of Lawyers Chambers, a strata-focussed legal practice in Sydney. She is also the host of the long-running podcast Your Strata Property, the world’s only podcast dedicated to explaining the legal complexities of strata-titled properties. With over 20 years' experience in the strata legal sector, Amanda is both a Fellow and Council Member of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers, and she is also the founder of Women in Strata, a networking group for women working in strata management. An increasingly in-demand speaker and educator, Amanda has been educating strata managers, apartment owners and residents for many years, through round table workshops, webinars, seminars and keynote presentations.
Connect with Amanda Farmer:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafarmerlaw/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandafarmerlaw/</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/yourstrataproperty/">https://www.facebook.com/yourstrataproperty/</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yourstrataproperty/">https://www.instagram.com/yourstrataproperty/</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Visit their website: <a href="https://yourstrataproperty.com.au/">https://yourstrataproperty.com.au/</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Lawyers Chambers on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/lawyers-chambers-on-riley-pty-ltd">https://www.linkedin.com/company/lawyers-chambers-on-riley-pty-ltd</a>
</li>
</ul>
Resources mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
20 Questions to Ask Your Strata Manager <a href="https://yourstrataproperty.com.au/questions/">https://yourstrataproperty.com.au/questions/</a>
</li>
</ul>
Resources:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Visit our website <a href="https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au">https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at: The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast <a href="mailto:questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au">questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? <a href="http://www.gooddeeds.com.au/">https://www.gooddeeds.com.au</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Work with Veronica: <a href="http://www.veronicamorgan.com.au">https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Looking for a Mortgage Broker? <a href="https://www.flintgroup.au">https://www.flintgroup.au</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Work with Chris: <a href="mailto:chrisbates@flintgroup.au">chrisbates@flintgroup.au</a>
</li>
</ul>
Enjoyed the podcast? Don't miss out on what's yet to come! Hit that subscription button, spread the word and join us for more insightful discussions in real estate. Your journey starts now!
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Subscribe on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcast">https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcast</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719">https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719"></a>Subscribe on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765">https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765</a>
</li>
</ul>

Who's really in control when you buy a property?

The Elephant In The Room is where the things that no one wants to talk about, actually get talked about.  

Veronica Morgan, real estate agent, buyers agent and co-host of Foxtel’s Location Location Location Australia & Chris Bates, financial planner, mortgage broker and wealth coach have joined forces to find out what’s really going on in the world of real estate.

Veronica and Chris talk to property owners and buyers every day in their respective lines of business. They’ve observed a wide spectrum of confidence in people’s decision making ability when buying and selling property, often to the detriment of the individuals concerned. They are both fascinated by consumer behaviour and together they’re going to uncover who’s really making the decisions when you buy a property.

In each episode they get into the psyche of buyers, agents, auctioneers and other industry experts to learn the truth about how buyers are influenced and why they do the things they do. In every episode you’ll learn from the mistakes of a “property dumbo” as well as Chris & Veronica’s “elephant rider bootcamp” training session.

The plan? This property podcast has been created to help us all make better property decisions!

We talk about the things no one wants to talk about in the Property Market

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