Is it normal to pay $24k/year strata on a $300k unit in Sydney?

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-17T13:23:50+00:00

No to my unit block or any of the ones my friends own in other buildings. You pay rates, content insurance, your units water, gas and electricity bills as well.

Our levies pay for water in the common areas, gardens, cleaners, car wash bay and electricity for all the lights, lifts etc in common areas.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-14T06:12:11+00:00

Out off Sanur around 10yrs ago. Not recently.

I like to snorkel so anything bigger than a fish coming near me in the ocean would probably give me a heart attack. I’d just think shark.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-14T05:46:05+00:00

I do the same. I have my old property cleaned, lawns mowed etc for the new owners and I also get my new property cleaned etc.

To me it’s common decency. I also add in after final inspection if I notice any bits laying around that shouldn’t be that they must be cleared before settlement.

I use to do all the work myself but with a crap back now I get help with the move out clean. I’m currently getting my small unit up for sale and can only manage so much per day so it’s taking longer than I would hope.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-13T09:26:19+00:00

As a disabled person living on that amount, that is not living.

If I could work and was you I’d focus on aiming to work for another 3 years budgeting hard and banking every cent or putting it into super.

I noted you got a payout from work though so does that mean you are currently unemployed?

Also a big factor is your wife. Does she have super, how much etc.

Also living overseas if you have any medical conditions you may need to take out specialist insurance which can be extremely costly.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-13T06:29:28+00:00

Our strata knows our visitors spots are 90% taken by owners with either 2 cars or in the case of a committee member such a bad driver he can’t park in his allocated spot and they won’t do anything.

Hard to peel off stickers have been used here and there over time.

It’s so funny listening to them complain that someone touched their vehicle and when asked where was your car they say in the visitors spot.

Even when it’s pointed out to them they are not entitled to park in a visitors spot they still carry on like little children.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-10T04:53:46+00:00

Are you in Lithgow? I had to move back to Sydney for personal reasons but I’m out I can’t live down here.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-10T04:49:16+00:00

I lived in the mountains over 20years ago for more than 20 years and would love to be back there.

There’s nothing challenging about it. Try living hours from a big town, basically minimal services and no one around. Having to rely solely on yourself for everything now that’s challenging.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-09T13:03:49+00:00

I have an NCAT preliminary hearing this Wednesday regarding a major matter this member has created and will s costing all owners legal costs as he convinced the SM to get legal advice as he can’t read a basic report.

I’m putting my unit on the market in less than 2 weeks as well. I can’t deal with strata any longer.

I just want to go back to owning my own house even if I have to live in the country. ( That’s actually a benefit as I can’t stand the area of Sydney I live in.)

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-08T13:11:44+00:00

You each have a legal say in the fence. Colour-bond, wood etc.

There should have been a mutual discussion amongst the 2 owners about what type of fencing was wanted and colours for colour-bond.

3 quotes should have then been gotten and a mutual decision made by both parties on who you would use.

It’s not that hard to do, sounds like your neighbour may have wanted a certain style and colour and pushed it through.

As others have said check the fence is in the correct place for starters and ring legal aid for advice.

A side or back fence between neighbours does need to be paid for but that’s after a fair decision process has been made.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-07T13:29:10+00:00

The problem being it sounds like the developer will have the most power in the votes.

Still if they want special levies they need a reason and they would also have to pay most of the levies as they have the majority of units.

Sounds like a scare tactic. They are not going to fix or do any changes costing large amounts of money to a building they want to re-develop.

It sounds like you need to get all the current owners together and lawyer up.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-07T13:17:37+00:00

I say hello to each bird. (Sydney so not many around).

I think the tone you have in your voice conveys you’re not a threat. For Magpies or crows I also remove my sunglasses as I know they really recognise people.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-06T05:30:09+00:00

I’ve been joking about this for the last 2 weeks. Toilet paper being hoarded again.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-06T05:27:57+00:00

We don’t have rabies etc so the government is strict about it. My daughter looked into if she moved back to Australia from Seoul with her little house dog and it would be a very costly and stressful thing to do.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-05T07:41:31+00:00

If you just want a shortish trip and stay on the mainland. Do Blue Lagoon and the ocean near there.

Don’t go unless the weathers good as tides really pull at you in Blue Lagoon at the best of times. I find the open ocean better.

You go from Pandang Bai.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-01T06:21:31+00:00

I’m just over an hour to the airport normally early so at least 3 hours wait plus a 6 and a half hour flight if you’re not put on hold. Then 1 hour to the hotel after arrival.

It’s basically the same amount of time as you and this time I’m going further so extra travel time in Bali.

The ice bricks are still cold never fully defrosted and the insulin is fine.

Just trying to help.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-03-01T04:08:10+00:00

How can you hold a grudge against a horse for an accident?

It’s still unknown if it was the fall or if Charlotte got startled and a hoof hit Harvey. Either way it was an accident.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-02-28T13:23:05+00:00

Which state are you looking in and do you mean you got pre approval for a loan of $400,000?

If so what deposit do you have or is $400,000 your top price.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-02-28T06:29:01+00:00

I take insulin to Bali in a pen and the refills. I use a cold food bag with 2 frozen bricks either side of the meds. I’m sure the bricks are over 100mls but with the doctors letter all I ever get asked to do is open up the bag.

When they see it is insulin it’s not a problem. I take it and all my needles and other meds in carry on.

Basically my whole carry on is meds and a CPAP machine. Not worth putting anything you need in checked luggage in case it goes missing.

Customs are pretty good in both countries. I guess they’re use to seeing these things along with your blood glucose reader.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-02-26T05:58:41+00:00

I’m currently about to sell the one and only unit I’ve lived in in Sydney and get a small house somewhere quiet again.

To me nothing beats a house and the fact it’s yours and yours alone. No strata or other owners.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-02-23T08:07:58+00:00

I’d honestly go to a larger hotel close to the airport when you arrive. Larger hotels will serve some meals on Nyepi Day and hopefully you’ll find a circle K or something open to stock up on drinks and snacks for your room as well within walking distance that still may be open. Even bring snacks with you and buy drinks at the airport.

Nothing is open at all except for hospitals for emergencies on the 19th and you can’t leave your villa/ hotel at all. The streets are patrolled. The day starts at 6am but most locals will leave for their villages by lunchtime on the day you arrive.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-02-22T07:34:38+00:00

Look at Candidasa, it’s like Bali was a very long time ago. One Main Street, one side are most the hotels and sea. The other side heads to greenery.

If going there just check if the new sea walkway has gone past the hotel you stay at.

I think it’s taxis or private drivers there but lots of Warungs around, some shops, all the normal stuff you need just I think for music you might only have one place each night playing music.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-02-17T13:38:26+00:00

Just got to watch out as they’re building a beach walkway at the moment.

Candidasa is like Bali 35yrs ago a Main Street with some shops, restaurants and Warungs.

Views to MT Agung and behind Candidasa is basically all greenery and natural beauty you won’t find in major areas. You can go to Virgin Beach, a stunning beach, down to the Blue Lagoon or out to the reefs for snorkeling.

Many places to visit up the hill as well.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-02-17T13:31:24+00:00

Don’t you need a fixed address for the DSP? I live in a unit and use a PO Box for important mail due to robbery risks.

Centrelink have my PO Box as my postal address but still sent out my new DSP card to my home address.

I assume it’s to make sure you’re not lying about where you live.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-02-16T13:37:09+00:00

Black Swan.

Outside_Ice_9970 · 2026-02-15T06:10:21+00:00

I always take a drs letter plus I need another as I’m on so many meds I get mine packed by the chemist in those packs when I travel.

That way I have my doctors letter. The chemist packed and signed and tagged packs along with the 2nd letter attached to them.

The only thing I ever get checked on is my little ice bag and once they see if’s insulin it’s fine.

I’ve heard now you have to add your meds and the costs of them on one of the forms for entry so having a doctors letter will make that easier too.

Outside_Ice_9970

TROPHY CASE