As of late October 2023, many common-property problems existed in Lot 158 alone. They were completely ignored by Waratah Strata Management and Uniqueco Property Services. Attempt to engage with them was an email sent on 27 October 2023, a day after AGM 2023 where Lot 158 prevented illegal renewal of three-year contract with Uniqueco Property Services:
SP52948-Lot-158-unresolved-common-property-issues-Oct2023
Because Waratah Strata Management (Mr. Robert Crosbie and Mr. Heath Crosbie) and committee members (Mr. Stan Pogorelsky, Mr. John Gore, Ms. Genelle Godbee, Mr. Ramesh Desai, Ms. Kathryn Cutler, Mr. Carlos Fornieles Montoya, Mr. Andrew Ip, and Mr. Jeffery Wang, whilst Mrs. Marianna Paltikian was notified through strata manager) did not answer any questions about dubious expenses at AGM 2023, Uniqueco Property Services was also asked to provide their responses:
SP52948-AGM-2023-dubious-invoices-24Oct2023
Lack of repairs, or prolonged delays are common, predictive, and persistent.
Here is one example of four issues in Lot 158 in April 2020:
SP52948-Lot-158-report-of-near-miss-incident-with-vent-grille-in-main-bathroom-15Apr2020
SP52948-response-by-Uniqueco-Property-Services-about-lack-of-maintenance-in-Lot-158-9Dec202019
SP52958-Lot-158-outstanding-dangers-due-to-lack-of-maintenance-of-common-property-12May2021
Since late 2020, water leak on ceiling in Lot 158 sunroom has been ignored by Waratah Strata Management. Not only it creates electrical hazard, occasional faul smell, but is also against the strata laws not to maintain common property.
Repetitive requests to maintain sunrooms in the complex and ensure they are watertight were ignored by Waratah Strata Management:
SP52948-Lot-158-request-for-repair-of-sunroom-water-leaks-29Nov2020
Difference between areas where water leaks are predominant on the ceiling are obvious:
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-1-12May2021
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-3-12May2021
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-4-12May2021
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-6-12May2021
Even on days when only light rain is present, the dampness of the ceiling near electrical lighting is a health and safety risk, as shown by photos on 28 November 2021:
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-1-28Nov2021
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-2-28Nov2021
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-3-28Nov2021
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-4-28Nov2021
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-5-28Nov2021
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-6-28Nov2021
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-7-28Nov2021
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-8-28Nov2021
Since 2020, the deterioration of the ceiling is obvious.
Photo taken in Lot 158 sunroom on 3 February 2022 shows that unrepaired water leak (fire and OH&S risks) is unresolved since September 2020:
Photos taken in Lot 158 sunroom on 7 September 2022 shows that unrepaired water leak (fire and OH&S risks) is unresolved since September 2020:
Photos taken in Lot 158 sunroom on 25 November 2022 shows that unrepaired water leak (fire and OH&S risks) is unresolved since September 2020:
Lot 158 had problems with sunroom leaks since 1998 (to this day, there are many plumbing problems in the complex), and after serios escalation to Meriton Apartments, they were resolved in May 1999. Due to poor performance of MDA Strata Services, which many owners complained about at the time, they were forced to resign:
Issues with water leaks in sunroom of Lot 158 in 1998/1999:
Lot 158 charged MDA Strata Services for lack of their service:
SP52948-invoice-for-MDA-Strata-Service-for-work-done-by-owner-instead-of-strata-manager-26May1999
Appearance of ceiling in Lot 158 sunroom shows significant deterioration due to water leaks on 3 July 2023:
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-1-3Jul2023
Appearance of ceiling in Lot 158 sunroom shows status on 30 January 2024:
SP52948-Lot-158-sunroom-water-leak-near-electrical-lighting-photo-1-30Jan2024
Screenshot on Waratah Strata website on 15 August 2023, shows that Lot 158 sunroom issue, along with number of other old problems, still existed:
SP52948-waratahstrata.com.au-website-Maintenance-Open-Work-Orders-page-1-15Aug2023
Screenshot on Waratah Strata website on 30 January 2024, shows that Lot 158 sunroom issue, along with number of other old problems, still existed:
SP52948-waratahstrata.com.au-website-Maintenance-Open-Work-Orders-page-1-30Jan2024
Screenshot on Waratah Strata website on 19 February 2024, shows that Lot 158 sunroom issue, along with number of other old problems, still existed:
Evidence that Waratah Strata Management and Uniqueco Property Services discriminate against Lot 158 and some other owners - in FY 2023, $1,700.00 (GST excl) was spent on resolving sunroom leak in Lot 38, but Lot 158 was ignored since late 2020:
SP52948-FY-2023-sunroom-leak-repairs-discriminating-Lot-158.png
Screenshot on Waratah Strata website on 19 February 2024, shows that Lot 158 sunroom issue, along with number of other old problems, still existed:
Video of Lot 158 sunroom ceiling on 19 February 2024:
Poor ventilation in one bathroom and laundry, unresolved since June 2018.
Evidence that Waratah Strata Management and Uniqueco Property Services discriminate against Lot 158 - in FY 2023, $2,340.00 (GST excl) was spent on resolving sunroom leak in multiple lots, but Lot 158 was ignored since 2018:
Intercom in Lot 158 is faulty and seldom operates properly.
All intercom access points were scheduled to be tested in Block A on 10 February 2022. Lot 158 complained about their device not working several times and no repair or checks were done. On 10 February 2022, Lot 158 was not visited by H&T Security:
Discriminatory attitude towards Lot 158 is shown by example of repairs in other units in 2018 (directly authorised and approved by Waratah Strata Management), but not Lot 158:
In 2014, SP52948 spent $7,760.22 (GST excl) on intercom replacements in four buildings, but not Lot 158:
In 2023, SP52948 spent $6,869.23 (GST excl) on intercom replacements in four buildings, but not Lot 158:
Repeated complaints about sightings of silverfish.
SP52948-Waratah-Strata-management-ignored-repeated-complaints-about-sightings-of-silverfish-7Jul2020
Silverfish was caught near entrance to Lot 158 on 27 September 2022:
SP52948-silverfish-caught-near-entrance-to-Lot-158-27Sep2022
SP52948-repeated-incident-with-silverfish-Lot-158-kitchen-16Dec2022
SP52948-repeated-incident-with-silverfish-Lot-158-bathroom-26Dec2022
Sighting of silverfish in Lot 158 foyer on 7 January 2023
Sighting of silverfish in Lot 158 bathroom on 24 January 2023
Sighting of silverfish in Lot 158 kitchen on 3 February 2023
Sighting of silverfish in Lot 158 bathroom on 12 October 2023
Sighting of silverfish in Lot 158 foyer on 15 October 2023
Sighting of silverfish in Lot 158 foyer on 22 October 2023
Sighting of silverfish in Lot 158 main bathroom on 13 December 2023
SP52948-repeated-incident-with-silverfish-Lot-158-bathroom-video-1-17Jan2024 (video)
Sighting of silverfish in Lot 158 main bathroom on 6 February 2024
Sighting of silverfish in Lot 158 kitchen on 17 February 2024
Sighting of silverfish in Lot 158 kabinet on 7 April 2024
One of Lot 158 remote controls suddenly stopped working in early 2020, in spite of fact it was quite new and given to Lot 158 by another tenant who moved out of complex. Instead of checking it, Mr. Steve Carbone from Uniqueco Property Services sent this SMS:
Whilst Lot 158 is typically singled out, occasionally staff of Uniqueco Property Services threaten other owners. Here are examples of notices cleaner Steve Westrip left for many days in basement of Blocks C and D in September and October 2021:
And another example: on 21 July 2021 Lot 158 sent this inquiry to Waratah Strata Management, which was never replied to:
"As part of the document search on 31 May 2019, tenant's complaint (Lot 12) was found in regards to behaviour of Uniqueco Property Services staff on 18 March 2019.
Response to her, or evidence of any disciplinary action against staff, was not found.
Please provide an update on this matter.
Attachment SP52948-owner-complaint-against-Steve-Westrip-18Mar2019.pdf"
Letterbox of Lot 158 is the only one which had paint damages in first half of 2023:
Significant amount of junk mail thrown on the ground near Lot 158 letterbox (photo taken on 28 December 2020). It does not happen to other areas of letterboxes:
Letterbox of Lot 158 was the only vandalised property, not once but two times in 12 months prior to December 2021 (photo taken on 22 December 2021):
SP52948-Lot-158-new-letterbox-no-junk-mail-sign-video-2May2022.mp4
Waratah Strata Management failure to organize gas meter replacement for Lot 158:
On Tuesday, 19 July 2022, somebody who claimed to be from Jemena, left voice message on Lot 158 mobile phone asking for permission to replace gas meter.
As this was not organised through building or strata manager, Lot 158 approached their gas service provider and asked them for clarification. Service provider immediatelly prepared an email for Jemena and promised to notify Lot 158 as soon as a response was provided to them.
Two days later, Jemena representative called again.
This is how Lot 158 dealt with the request:
Jemena was notified that no public information existed abouth such work in Lot 158 or any other unit in the complex, which was different from process in April 2022, when official notice was published on notice boards, advising owners of 46 units replacing gas meters:
Jemena was asked to disclose who had provided them with mobile phone number of Lot 158. They confirmed they got it from Waratah Strata Management, which would have been an unauthorized disclosure of private information to third party.
Jemena was asked to contact strata manager to inform owners about pending gas meter replacements in the complex. Jemena tried to force Lot 158 to do it and was rejected because it was not owner's duty to chase strata manager for managing common property.
Jemena was asked to provide written request to Lot 158, explaining reasons for gas meter replacement, length ot time required to do the work, proposed dates, and so on.
Jemena was notified that Lot 158 gas service provider contacted them to obtain information on behalf of Lot 158. Jemena representative claimed they had not received such request.
Jemena approached Waratah Strata Management two times which Lot 158 has evidence of (on 30 December 2022 and 9 January 2023). It appears no response was received:
As of 13 December 2023 hot water meter was still not replaced in Lot 158, but Zinfra sent us an email as follow up to our repeated complaint on 11 December 2023, which was also sent to Waratah Strata Management (Mr. Robert Crosbie and Mr. Heath Crosbie) and Uniqueco Property Services (Mr. Steve Carbone and Mrs. Sandra Carbone):
Lot 158 also opened an inquiry about SP52948 compliance with Clause 7.1 – Wrongful and Illegal Use of Energy in Deemed Standard Connection Contract:
Finally, just one week before Christmas (18 December 2023), 18 units were scheduled for gas meter replacement, thanks to Lot 158:
Waratah Strata Management is directly responsible for number of other issues related to Lot 158:
Prevented access to strata documents even when Lot 158 was legal member of the executive committee, or fully paid for strata search:
13 June 2017
SP52948-Outcome-of-request-for-inspection-of-records-at-Waratah-Strata-Management-on-13Jun2017
31 May 2019
20 September 2019
SP52948-SSMA2015-S182-Document-viewing-undisclosed-files-by-Waratah-Strata-Management-20Sep2019
14 November 2019
Solicitor Adrian Mueller refusing access to strata files - his response to O'Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors:
SP52948-Lot-158-legal-request-to-strata-documents-24Apr2020
7 May 2020
Committee meeting allegedly ordered Waratah Strata Management to sign Standard Costs Agreement with a barrister to respond to O'Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors who provided listing of files requested by Lot 158 on 24 April 2020 (this response was never provided to Lot 158 and their Solicitors):
EC-meeting-must-respond-to-Lot-158-Solicitor-7May2020
8 June 2022
On 27 June 2022, Waratah Strata Management and committee members sent the following response to Lot 158, not allowing owners to have knowledge of Lot 158 investigations, disallowing support to Lot 158 to assist Police, OLSC, and NCAT, and refusing to repay insurance company for six claims of alleged legal costs until later stage
In one of many examples of Lot 158 efforts, on 5 October 2015 Lot 158 tried to reason with BCS Strata Management (they lost contract with SP52948 at AGM in 2016) to avoid massive and persistent mismanagement of common funds and pending large expenses due to neglect of complex. Lot 158 was ridiculed and completely ignored.
Lot 158 tried to reason with Waratah Strata Management and committee members to avoid bankruptcy and unnecessary legal costs and insurance risks on 2 June 2019. Lot 158 was ridiculed and completely ignored.
Lot 158 tried to reason with Waratah Strata Management and committee members to prevent unnecessary legal costs and assist NSW Fair Trading and Police on 18 June 2019. Lot 158 was ridiculed and completely ignored.
Lot 158 predicted risks of running out of money in email and warning to Waratah Strata Management, Uniqueco Property Services, and committee members on 29 June 2019. Lot 158 was ridiculed and completely ignored.
Seven more warnings were sent to Waratah Strata Management and committee members in 2023 - no reply was ever received:
Lot 158 finally starting to achieve results: NSW Fair Trading letter on 17 October 2023, confirming that Waratah Strata Management failed to comply with regulations for Auditor's reports (and this is just the beginning of troubles for this strata agency):
Nine committee members were asked to inform all owners about NSW Fair Trading update on 18 October 2023 and they did not respond.
On 19 October 2023, Director of Uniqueco Property Services was given one-page document to put on or near six notice boards:
Sometime between 4 and 7 July 2023, Waratah Strata Management removed access to Documents folder on their website:
The pages silently reappeared more than a month later.
Continuous smoking-related problems and common funds/property maintenance problems, which Lot 158 reported to Waratah Strata Management and Uniqueco Property Services many times:
SP52948-continuous-problems-with-smoking-and-health-hazards
SP52948-continuous-delays-with-fire-and-OHS-problems
SP52948-ongoing-maintenance-problems-mostly-ignored-by-Waratah-Strata-Management
SP52948-negative-trends-with-Admin-Fund-under-Waratah-Strata-Management
Waratah-Strata-Management-non-compliance-of-SP52948-Auditor-reports
SP52948-discrepancies-in-BIV-report-for-10-Capital-Works-Fund-in-2017-and-2021
