The Elephant in the Room
The property podcast for the thinking person.

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Episode 361: Strata Management Under Fire: Amanda Farmer Discusses Whether Your Manager Is Doing Enough

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:

Resources mentioned in this episode:

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Chris Bates