The hidden strata fees costing Australians | Four Corners

[@kaneelias]

Thank you 4 Corners for doing actual journalism in this country. If only the main stream "news" outlets would follow suit, maybe some real change could occur. I live in a Strata apartment and will be going through the books with a fine tooth comb now

[@kangminmoon2443]

This is what I call true journalism. Journalists should question and get answers for difficult problems.

[@kingdomfor1]

As a retired builder, I've said many times to people, never never never ever buy into a strata unit. NEVER.

[@karat252]

Doesn’t every unit in Australia require strata?

[@zebhuata1752]

Strata should be dismantled. Its a disgusting business

[@MaybeFactor]

44 minutes and 30 seconds of reasons not to buy a property on a strata title. It's even worse than I thought it was, and I was already opposed to it.

[@iqmczyxzwitzi]

Strata is a rort. I've lost many thousands. We need better laws/protection. Thank you ABC for this expose. Please do more like this

[@TheDooLees]

There’s no incentive to police this and strata contracts are often clearly biased towards strata management . Thank you 4 Corners for shedding light.

[@zealman79]

Australia - go 1km/h over the speed limit and they'll throw the book at ya; get shafted on your biggest investment, 'Shrug shoulders'

[@AbcdefgHijklmnop-i4s]

This type of journalism is why the ABC needs more funding, and why powerful people are always calling to reduce it

[@PooBah]

My strata fees went up over 20% in the past 12 months alone. Now $10k a year, with no onsite pool, concierge or gym. What am I paying for? Where does it all go?

[@tammyiswicked]

Same!

[@kitrivers979]

Time to look at the books

[@UziMusic]

Where do you reckon?

[@joshuakzy7472]

This is what journalism is for… great job. Actual real useful journalism. Go get em.

[@l2icksta]

Its not just apartments, its villa’s and units as well

[@Leytonstone09]

Strata is a massive scam

[@thejesusfish90]

What a sensational piece of journalism. Here's hoping some politicians are listening in as well.

[@molefematampash8817]

The journalist has really done his homework.

[@mels2829]

I just sold my apartment, will never live in a strata again. A lot of waste, unprofessional conduct, imbalance of power, no/limited control over your own property.

[@apw50]

Government asleep at the wheel, again.

[@LukeVidler]

This is an excellent piece of investigative journalism and has restored my faith in the ABC, well done !

[@marcusluciani1620]

Strata is outrageous. Well done 4 corners. I'll never live in Strata after this

[@peterellis1371]

Good piece there Four Corners. A message for governments around the globe. Stop siding with these shady developers and represent your constituents

[@isinghcoco6653]

About time ! Its been going on for decades , hope this strata policies are properly regulated

[@jamescameron654]

I owned an apartment in QLD which was an absolute nightmare for all the reasons mentioned in this story. The system is broken

[@johnisawesome2015]

So nice to be able to comment on news too, I hate when other networks put out videos and disable comments

[@fireballs1000]

More people need to see this. Thanks ABC

[@andrewj6231]

It’s why we sold our unit and got out. High strata costs, building falling apart and no trace of where the money went.

[@Archie460]

Why can't assic do something to protect the property owners isn't that what they are meant to do.

[@the1972bulldog]

Paper tigers

[@nodocs74]

MATE - That would mean the system works for us tsk tsk tsk

[@JL-yt5hy]

The government can’t keep up! They are totally out of touch with reality.

[@sandyfoot]

🤣

[@prazzo1232]

How do we clean this up? Owners corporation contracts should be month to month and can be terminated at any time by majority vote.

[@pacoparigi2163]

Four corners moment was well overdue... Well done

[@Johnny-kz9tb]

Much appreciated 4 corners. You have done a great service to the public on stratas title.

[@MarcoSalieri-ck2gc]

Finally someone is speaking about this wrongdoing

[@mehdihussain6919]

What a shame to see such corrupt practices in a wonderful country.

[@dantheman6718]

Royal Commission Now!

[@claire-amel]

I'm about to sell my house in a separation. I will have to buy an apartment, and I've been terrified of strata. Some apartments here in Canberra have fees of over $2500 a quarter!

[@michaelhughes7458]

Strata has to be handled by the owners only.

[@KallieKitas]

Fantastic documentary. Greed and corruption - what's new. Here's hoping that this can bring on some change for apartment owners.

[@alex98b627]

This is why Australians don’t want to live in apartments.

[@Matt-ny1ue]

i bought a strata townhouse and i would NEVER buy strata ever again.. dont do it! They increase the fee with no justification and you have no recourse

[@DiHandley]

This is really disgusting. How can this be happening in democratic Australia? Where is the law protecting these people?

[@chorcor888]

I would rather pay this fee to government so the money can be used for public use at least!

[@GGTanguera]

Democratic you say 😅

[@konanninja]

This is why I love and trust Four Corners!

[@rodneyirwin4450]

My time living in a apartment was the most excruciating and expensive time of my life don’t put yourself thru it you will regret it

[@BrassLock]

I shudder to think what Australia 🇦🇺 would be like if it wasn't for investigative journalists doing their job.

[@beflat_trumpeter]

Imagine paying big dollars for a company to mistreat you and ruin your own home, absolutely insane.

[@timschaefer86]

Excellent journalism, as always. Four Corners is a treasure.

[@shayneoneill1506]

God I love 4 Corners. With all the faux news and "alternative facts" and politicization thats degraded the profession I did my degree in, journalism, theres ONE ray of hope in the whole thing, and thats 4 Corners still going strong.

[@petera2177]

what a great and insightful investigation program this was. Shoutout to the 4 corners team!

[@margotgray3330]

Fantastic programme. Imagine the Government appointed "Regulator" having an interest in a company that needs "regulating". It's like letting the fox into the henhouse. Just ludicrous!!

[@jonathanma7139]

It’s not hidden …. Hits you smack in the face every 3 months

[@Millions_92]

Strata is a scam

[@kkohs4410]

thanks ABC! pls do more. We need government to step up on this when the future of Australia is about apartment living now!

[@wickedwabbit7365]

Very true

[@OilBaron100]

I’ve always bought only freestanding houses. I’d never touch strata properties.

[@sophbee90]

Excellent analysis, thank you for sharing this corrupt conduct. Can't believe the lack of transparency... absolutely rife with profiteering...

[@contenteater]

Wow the ABC kept the comments on for this one. 👏 ✅

[@multioptioned]

Unbelievable! 😮

[@kayrow]

Great journalism, ABC. Love the work. Please keep fighting the good fight

[@angelwings3128]

Excellent reporting & exposure! Well done 4Corners! The Government must intervene!

[@The.Ancient.1.]

Where is the government in all of this, this is so corrupt, people shouldn't buy apartments.

[@kaizen52071]

This is just exceptional work from this person.

[@patmcardle2769]

Typical corporate greed and conflicts of interest ...

[@ImogenBunting]

Excellent reporting and overdue for a shake up and shake down of underhanded operators. So many people harmed by the lack of oversight and investigations. Well done Four Corners.

[@pku0]

This is top notch 'investigative journalism'. A real eye opener!

[@Eagle-e4l]

The report is absolutely true, unfortunately. It is a disgrace & massive rip-off of apartment owners.

[@michelledavies2197]

My advice is never buy an apartment, ever. The same shit happens in the UK and America.

[@seangordonrichards]

Excellent Journalism team!

[@emeranik]

Well made documentary ABC. Extremely informative. I had always wondered why it costs so much, now I've got my answers.

[@eduardwilliams1245]

Top notch investigative journalism.

[@citizenwood]

Great reporting! More regulation is required in this industry. What a slimy bunch of suits.

[@Flip_Goat]

We had an elevator charge, but we don’t have an elevator

[@wickedwabbit7365]

Hahaha

[@Her.Serene.Feline.Cuteness.]

We had an elevator that worked well but then they decided that it needed to have an upgrade..the new and improved elevator broke down continually. Problems we had never had before and after paying increased fees to pay for it.

[@forgetfulduck]

😮 what the fark? 😮 day light robbery.

[@uow513]

Four corners has done it again!

[@toni4729]

This is Australia. Why are people living here like they're living in London or New York. It's not on, we have a lot more land.

[@jackman2865]

Govt fails to keep up and protect owners

[@zarinepeter5716]

Yup. FAIL big-time yeah.

[@kentprince4851]

This is why I got out of the strata units as an owner investment.

[@good2freelance1]

Can we get rid off Strata ? They don't do much at all

[@carsonteh9226]

this is truly great journalism

[@marlenesullivan3113]

YES- VERY WELL EXPLAINED

[@DarrenSmith-x6h]

Government in Australia is so pathetic

[@adriankelly372]

It is so true. The strata industry is a total rip off.

[@melekmelissaau]

Makes me sick watching the way these big corps keep pushing and getting cash in any way possible and to do this to your own fellow citizens makes me even more upset. God help us all..

[@snuscaboose1942]

Real journalism from the ABC and even open comments? Great story, hope it triggers some proper regulation but wont hold my breathe, strata problems have been known for a few decades.

[@leetylv5321]

Australian government is sleeping. The peoples are suffering.

[@bizzabmx]

I pay like 2k pa Strata on my townhouse which goes to building insurance (which I have used to make a claim with no issues), lawn mowing and electricity costs for the lights down the driveway as well as some small admin fees which seem pretty reasonable, I guess I just got lucky? idk

[@santhok12345]

Not buying apartment if strata laws not fixed

[@MsRubyet]

Shocking - we need to densify our development, but if this is what that means, we are stuffed

[@kiwidave72]

this has been going on for decades.

[@yvonnedyer8370]

Wake up Aussies to what is really happening!!!!

[@kelvinjames6344]

Outrageous strata costs and if something happen they do a special levy I would like to live in an apartment but due to strata no way

[@xwin557x3]

Please fix this horrible situation!

[@samganos709]

The government has to hold an inquiry into this matter……

[@lansi3608]

It is pure corruption

[@jaisandhu26]

Good job at exposing them

[@maryjanedodo]

This was a juicy one - nice work Linton!

[@emperorpatrisia5771]

How is this legal?

[@needleontherecord]

Thank goodness I live in a free hold home on my own land

[@quickeasymathvideos5001]

Day light robbery and no one to question, no accountability. It keeps increasing! Started with $53/ 4 years ago now almost tripled!!

[@jlinbkk7184]

Glad I left that country.

[@Whereisshellymiscavige]

Very good work by the abc. Bravo

[@meet2696]

It's a organised scam

[@givesy123]

Bout time they did an investigation

[@virginiawilliams7790]

Absolutely horrific!

[@tubeseverywhere]

Congratulations to 4 Corners on casting attention to this incredible problem. You addressed the issues of new apartments. Feel free to get in touch with me should you wish to find out what happens to buildings that are 20 plus years old.

[@davidcarey9135]

This is good actual journalism which is becoming rare

[@alexjohansson5232]

Our state and federal government are constantly failing us.

[@tammyiswicked]

Thank you. We all feel so tricked and helpless.