Neighbours

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<div style="text-align: left;" align="center">Findings from an independent survey commissioned by CouriersPlease reveal that only one in four Aussies don’t trust their neighbours enough to let them collect their mail.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">The survey of a nationally representative panel of <span lang="en-US">1021 Australians </span><span lang="en-US">asked respondents to think about their past and present neighbours when asked what they would trust their neighbours with.</span>
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<div style="text-align: left;">The results found that 74 per cent of respondents would trust their neighbours with responsibilities such as collecting mail and deliveries, looking after pets and plants, and holding a set of house keys while they are away.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/20/Trusting%20Aussies.JPG" alt=""></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">It also found that collecting mail (chosen by 82 per cent of respondents) and allowing couriers to leave parcels with them (69 per cent of respondents) were tasks we’d most trust them with.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Surprisingly, more respondents would leave their pet with their neighbour while they were away (49 per cent of respondents) than trusting them with their home key (46 per cent of respondents). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">When asked how many neighbours they trust, 37 per cent of respondents revealed they only trust one neighbour, while a quarter trust two to three neighbours around them.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">38 per cent trust their neighbours more now than they did 10 years ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">The survey also found that Baby Boomers are most trusting of their neighbours than Millennials.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">84 per cent of over 60s trust their neighbour, compared with just 64 per cent of 19-to-29-year olds.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">CP CEO, Mark McGinley, says “It’s heartening to see that Aussie neighbourhoods have remained strong."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">CP has an existing parcel delivery option that enables those receiving parcels to redirect their delivery to a nominated neighbour up to three houses away if they won’t be home to collect it.<strong> </strong>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Three quarters of Australians trust their neighbours

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<p>More than one-third of Australians have no interest in getting to know their neighbours, according to a recent study by realestate.com.au.</p>
<p>The same survey said that 15 per cent said they go out of their way to avoid speaking to a neighbour, while one in five revealed they’d previously had a dispute with someone living in their street.</p>
<p>Realestate.com.au executive general manager of Residential, Andrew Rechtman, said the findings showed that for the most part Ramsay Street really is more fiction than fact.</p>
<p>“The results are somewhat surprising when you consider Australians are known for their relaxed and friendly nature, but it seems that doesn’t always extend to our neighbours. We need to take a leaf out of Ramsay Street,” he said.</p>
<p>“We know that when people are searching for a home one of the first questions they ask is – what are the neighbours like and what will my neighbourhood be like? Good neighbours can make or break a street, which is why understanding and getting insights on a potential neighbourhood can often give a buyer the confidence to make an offer on a house.” </p>
<p>Survey key findings:</p>
<p>•More than a third of Australians don’t have any interest in getting to know their neighbours (37 per cent);</p>
<p>•15 per cent of Australians go out of their way to avoid speaking to neighbours;</p>
<p>•One in 10 admits to spying on a neighbour (10 per cent);</p>
<p>•One in five Australians has had a dispute with a neighbour (20 per cent);</p>
<p>•More than one in 10 uses their neighbour’s bin without asking them (11 per cent).</p>
<p>“Stronger neighbourhood relationships foster a deeper sense of community and a greater support network. We know that more connected neighbours can lead to safer communities, as residents are more inclined to look out for one another,” Rechtman said.</p>
<p>There was not a major difference in responses between capital city dwellers and those living in regional/rural areas. Responses were also similar between age groups, the survey revealed.</p>
<p>“The common perception is that older Australians have stronger relationships with their neighbours than younger people, but it seems that isn’t the case. Baby Boomers are avoiding their neighbours just as much as Gen Y,” Rechtman said. </p>
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Australians not so neighbourly: realestate.com.au study  

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<p>Australian actress Portia de Rossi, alongside TV host wife Ellen DeGeneres, have been voted the fourth most desirable neighbours of 2017.</p>
<p>They claimed seven percent of the voting, according to the 10th annual Zillow Celebrity Neighbour Survey.</p>
<p>The outgoing presidential family the Obama's topped the list with 14 percent, edging out wrestler turned Hollywood star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson who took out 13 percent of the public vote.</p>
<p>The Obama family saw strong votes among both male and female voters and across generations.</p>
<p>Chip and Joanna Gaines, the stars of the TV show 'Fixer Upper', came in third with eight percent.</p>
<p>Portia and Ellen achieved more votes than the likes of British singers Adele and Taylor Swift. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner made the top eight with five percent.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/10/Screen%20Shot%202017-01-10%20at%209.50.19%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/10/Screen%20Shot%202017-01-10%20at%209.50.19%20am.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Pop sensation Justin Bieber was voted as the least desirable neighbour, earning the most votes in the survey's history, topping his own record from 2014.</p>
<p>He scored a massive 36 percent of the votes, a two point percentage increase from his 2014 result.</p>
<p>Way back in second were reality stars Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna, who scored 23 percent of the vote.</p>
<p>Taylor Swift, also among the top in the most desirable neighbour section, came in fourth with four percent of the votes, behind Tom Cruise with seven percent.</p>
<p>Twenty-eight percent of surveyed adults said they would not want to live next to any of the celebrities listed in the poll.</p>
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Aussie Portia de Rossi outranks Bieber but the Obama's voted the 2017's Most Desirable Neighbour

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<p>Fencing is one of the most common sources of friction between neighbours, and this is just as likely within a strata scheme as it is between house owners.</p>
<p>Issues concerning fencing are governed by the Dividing Fences Act 1991 (NSW), and the first thing to do is establish whether the fence in question falls under the Act’s jurisdiction.</p>
<p>What does the Dividing Fences Act 1991 (NSW) say?</p>
<p>While the Act covers all fences defined as ‘dividing fences’, it does not cover common property fences which divide two lots within a strata scheme, or common property fences which separate a lot from communal property.</p>
<p>According to Look Up Strata, it’s also important to consider the various definitions of a ‘fence’. The definition of fences under the Act includes any hedge, ditch, structure, embankment or natural water course running along the boundary that separates two stretches of land.</p>
<p>Any wall that is part of a house, garage or other building is not included, neither is a retaining wall defined as a fence – unless it is classed as part of a foundation necessary to support the fence.</p>
<p>So what does this mean in practice? Perhaps your unit is partially separated from the one next door by a brick garage wall. Extending from this wall is a small hedge which runs up to the footpath.</p>
<p>Only the hedge section of this divide would be classified as a fence under the Act.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>So who is responsible for strata fencing?</strong></p>
<p>The owners corporation or body corporate is responsible for repairing and maintaining the principal fences which divide the communal area from the road and external footpath.</p>
<p>It is left to individual owners, however, to deal with fences running between their lots.</p>
<p>If no sufficient dividing fence exists between lots, the neighbours on each side are jointly and equally responsible for building and maintaining one.</p>
<p>What is the definition of a ‘sufficient dividing fence’? This is not spelled out in the Act. It is up to neighbours to agree on a definition and type of fencing they are both happy with.</p>
<p>If one owner wants a higher, stronger or fancier fence than the agreed basic, it is up to that individual to bear the extra cost incurred.</p>
<p>An Individual owner also takes financial responsibility for any extra trimming or aesthetic pruning of a boundary hedge which goes beyond a reasonable definition of ‘sufficient’ – topiary, for instance!</p>
<p><strong>How various strata fence costs are broken down</strong></p>
<p>Ask your strata management services for access to the scheme’s strata plan.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/property-observer" target="_blank">NSW Government Land &amp; Property Information</a>, incorporating a 2011 memorandum covering strata schemes, responsibility for fencing is broken down as follows:</p>
<p>Any fence shown as a thick line on the strata plan is deemed to be a common wall, and therefore the responsibility of the body corporate.</p>
<p>Fencing marked as a thin or dotted line on the strata plan – or not marked at all – is the responsibility of individual owners and neighbours as laid down in the Dividing Fences Act.</p>
<p>The owner’s financial responsibility is broken down accordingly:</p>
<ul>
<li>Fence dividing two lots: each owner responsible 50%-50%.</li>
<li>Fence dividing one lot from common property: owner 50% – OC 50%.</li>
<li>Fence dividing one lot from adjoining property: adjoining owner 50%- OC 50%.</li>
</ul>
<p><em>For more information from Jamesons Strata Management, <a href="https://jamesons.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.</em></p>
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Property 101: Who repairs fences dividing neighbours in a strata scheme?

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<p>Fences between neighbouring land should be located on the boundary but many aren't precise.</p>
<p>This doesn't change the ownership of the land and doesn't matter if both you and the neighbour can accept it. There is no legal requirement for a fence to be erected between neighbouring land.</p>
<p>Regardless of whether the fence sits precisely on the boundary or not, it is still jointly owned by both of you. Even if you plan to pay for the entire cost of repairing, replacing or erecting a fence yourself, you must get the consent of the owner of the neighbour land to:</p>
<ul>
<li>remove an existing fence </li>
<li>repair or carry out maintenance work on an existing fence </li>
<li>erect a new fence </li>
<li>enter their property to carry out work on the fence.</li>
</ul>
<p>Although a fence is considered equally shared there is no legal obligation for your neighbour to contribute towards the cost of repairing, maintaining or erecting a fence unless:</p>
<ul>
<li>they have agreed to it </li>
<li>the proper notices have been given </li>
<li>a court orders them to.</li>
</ul>
<p>You should check with your local council about fences that need development approval or any other legal requirements you must meet before you begin work. Restrictions apply for:</p>
<ul>
<li>masonry fences higher than one metre </li>
<li>any other kind of fence higher than two metre </li>
<li>fences higher than one metre less than six metres from a road intersection </li>
<li>brush fences.</li>
<li>Giving notice for fencing work</li>
</ul>
<p>If urgent fence repairs are required you don't have to give written notice to your neighbour, but it is recommended you give them as much notice as you possibly can. </p>
<p>If you want to erect a new fence you must give the owner of the neighbouring land notice of intention to erect a fence.</p>
<p>If you want to repair, replace or carry out maintenance work on an existing fence you must give the owner of the neighbouring land notice of intention to replace, repair or maintain a fence. </p>
<p>These notices can either be delivered to your neighbour personally or sent through registered post. </p>
<p>Your neighbour then has 30 days to give you a cross-notice if they object to your proposal. You can't start work until these 30 days have passed or you have received written notice from your neighbour consenting to the work. If you haven't received a written objection within 30 days you can assume they consent to your proposal. </p>
<p>Your neighbour doesn't have to state why they object or give an alternative option in the cross-notice. If the matter goes to court they will have to give good reason as to why they object - otherwise the court may order the work to proceed. </p>
<p>For an alternative version of these documents contact the Legal Services Commission of South Australia.</p>
<p>Finding the owner of neighbouring land</p>
<p>If you don't know who owns the neighbouring land you can contact your local council or access SAILIS. If you still can't find the owner you can prominently display the notice on their land. If you haven't received a written objection to your proposal within 30 days you can assume they consent to the work.</p>
<p>Disputes over fences</p>
<p>You should talk to the owner of the neighbouring land in a calm and courteous manner if you are in disagreement about: </p>
<ul>
<li>sharing costs </li>
<li>carrying out the work </li>
<li>the type of work required - eg repair the fence rather than replace it </li>
<li>accessing their land to carry out the work.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you can't reach an agreement you can contact Community Mediation Services. They can act as an independent third party to help you reach agreement. </p>
<p>If the issue is still unresolved you may choose to take the matter to the Magistrates Court. It is recommended that you seek independent professional advice from a solicitor. </p>
<p>The court can determine: </p>
<ul>
<li>whether the fence should be erected </li>
<li>type of fencing used </li>
<li>its location </li>
<li>who does the work </li>
<li>when and how the work is carried out </li>
<li>how costs are shared </li>
<li>orders for entry or access to the adjoining property.</li>
</ul>
<p>Boundaries</p>
<p>The boundary is where your land meets another person's land. Boundary locations can only be determined by a licensed surveyor. </p>
<p>If you are in dispute with a neighbour about the boundary location you can engage a licensed surveyor to mark  the boundary.  </p>
<p>Once this has been marked out anyone found to be moving or removing a survey mark may face fines and legal action. </p>
<p>A fence may not necessarily be an accurate representation of the boundary line but regardless of its location it doesn't alter the actual boundary or the legal rights to ownership of the land.</p>
<p>Encroachment</p>
<p>This is the intrusion of a structure or other object - eg driveway, onto another person's land. This includes overhanging structures - eg balconies. </p>
<p>To determine if encroachment has occurred on your property, you can engage the services of a licensed surveyor. They will be able to mark the boundary and assess the encroachment. If your neighbour refuses to have a survey carried out you can take the issue to the Supreme Court. They can make a legal order for the survey to be conducted. </p>
<p>If a structure is found to be encroaching on your property you can apply to the Supreme Court for: </p>
<ul>
<li>the removal of the encroachment </li>
<li>compensation for the encroachment </li>
<li>the land to be transferred or leased to the encroaching neighbour.</li>
</ul>
<p>When making their decision the court will take into consideration: </p>
<ul>
<li>who made the application </li>
<li>the nature and degree of the encroachment </li>
<li>the losses involved for each person </li>
<li>the circumstances in which the encroachment occurred.</li>
</ul>
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