Columns » We Live Here

The monster eating Melbourne

February 22nd, 2023 - Barbara Francis & Rus Littleson

Local councils are fighting back against the short-stay behemoth that’s causing chaos across the city.

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Other councils take the lead

January 25th, 2023 - Barbara Francis & Rus Littleson

Hello Melbourne City Council – what action will you be taking to improve the lives of Melbourne apartment residents?

A legal labyrinth

November 23rd, 2022 - Barbara Francis & Rus Littleson

Navigating the legislative changes affecting owners’ corporations (OCs) over the past four years is quite a challenge. We offer this thread to help you through the maze:

State election – the short answers

October 26th, 2022 - Barbara Francis & Rus Littleson

Last month in this column we asked the question of the major parties competing at the forthcoming state election – what are your party’s policies on short-stays?

Cash to ditch short stays!

September 21st, 2022 - Barbara Francis & Rus Littleson

A city in Arizona, USA is implementing an innovative plan to enhance housing availability for locals.

Tourism sector calls for short-stay day limit

August 24th, 2022 - Barbara Francis & Rus Littleson

Tourism industry groups want Victoria to follow other states, including NSW, and impose a limit on the number of days per year that properties can be let as short stays.

New report: it’s curtains for some owners

July 27th, 2022 - Barbara Francis & Rus Littleson

Another major fire risk has been uncovered in Melbourne – curtain walls containing flammable aluminium composite cladding (ACP).

Consumer watchdog sues Airbnb after thousands complain

June 22nd, 2022 - Barbara Francis & Rus Littleson

The federal government’s consumer watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Airbnb for allegedly misleading consumers.

Congratulations to 300 cladding winners!

May 26th, 2022 - Barbara Francis & Rus Littleson

The latest figures from Cladding Safety Victoria (CSV) website show that about 35 per cent of cladding-affected apartment buildings have been selected for financial assistance for remediation works. Only “extreme risk” or “high risk” buildings qualify for state government funding.