Hi, I'm Jo. I'm battling to save my health and home after strata negligence turned my safe haven into a mould-infested nightmare. I need your help to afford legal help in a complex fight I can’t win alone due to financial hardship.

Breaking News!!!

It's been a long battle, but thanks so much to the generosity of my donors, and the legal assistance it afforded me to properly prepare, my final hearing has at last occurred. I was self-represented, while the other side had a solicitor but a rather poor defense, so things are looking promising but it's not over yet.

I have just a couple of weeks to prepare written submissions and there's a controversial order being sought that I could really use some professional legal help with.

I'm down to my last few dollars and this is where I need the support of my wider community. If you live in strata, have ever lived in strata, know anyone that lives in strata, or if you've ever met me and thought of me kindly, please support me by donating the cost of a cup of coffee and sharing my campaign.

Time is short and the outcome of this matter might help move the strata industry, which is currently in the middle of a massive shake-up, in the right direction. We cannot allow the delayed repairs and maintenance that plagues this industry to continue. Those delays affect human lives every day and the toll it takes on them is huge. Many don't have the will or wherewithal to fight as hard as I have on this, and nor should they have to.

Thanks to the support of people just like you, in working through this I have had the opportunity to liaise with senior staff of Fair Trading, and while they often get a bad rap from the general public, I can say without doubt that they have been working very hard on changing strata in NSW for the better. There are more big changes coming.

I hope that the skills and knowledge I have developed through this can be applied to help others in the future and to help ensure the growing strata industry serves those living in strata communities well.

My Story

Until a few years ago I was an energetic, outdoorsy, fun-loving human with a range of social interests. I sailed every week at Gosford Sailing Club and was an active volunteer member of the Rural Fire Service. I was living on a property and studying horticulture.

In October 2023, I returned to my unit, a place I’d always thought was safe, after developing some health issues. I’d been renting the unit on Airbnb to cover bills that year and was excited to be back. I thought I would continue to rent a spare room on Airbnb for income, but within a week, a water patch appeared on my ceiling. I alerted the strata manager immediately, suspecting mould would develop if left too long, but no repairs were made. Water kept leaking, and soon an odd smell took over my bedroom.

My bedroom before the leak

Water marks appeared in October 2023 & December 2023

My health collapsed. I suffered brain fog, pain, and fatigue so severe I could barely walk 400 meters some days. I was diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and I had become so hypersensitive to everyday smells like soap, fragrances and sunscreen that I couldn't even go to the shops. I couldn't use the affected bedroom and went into financial hardship.

By May 2024, soaking wet carpet in the bedroom forced me out. Unable to afford stable housing, I moved between places for a few months while trying to get the problems at my unit resolved. I had started on an expensive treatment regime for the CIRS which meant I couldn't stay in a mould-affected dwelling.

May 2024 wet carpet

The Strata Nightmare

Despite months of chasing the strata manager, insurance companies, and authorities, the moisture in my bedroom persisted. I sought and followed the free legal advice available and through my considerable efforts I discovered the leaks stemmed not only from the faulty roof, but also from my neighbor’s leaking shower. Two building insurance companies were involved and both declined to cover the damage.

Water from the neighbour's shower behind my bedroom wall

I arranged mediation through Fair Trading, but the owners and strata manager declined to attend. I was advised the next step was then to put an application in to NCAT, a place where people are encouraged to go to resolve disputes without the need for expensive legal representation, but that just led to further delays.

By November 2024 I was living in a tent. I tried a few different tents in a few different locations, but it rained a lot, and mould can be as much an issue in a tent as in a building.

Fighting a Broken System

Our strata scheme was dysfunctional and a compulsory strata manager was appointed by NCAT with the purpose of getting some of the common property repairs done. But they did not get done. Eight months on not a single repair has been done. The common property issues persist and mould continues to spread throughout my unit. I still can’t live in, repair, or rent out my home and require a clean set of PPE every time I enter.

I faced five tribunal hearings to get to where I am now. Exhausted both emotionally and financially from this process and the expensive medical treatments, I've been unable to work for almost two years. I'm nearing the end of this part of the battle and await the decision of NCAT that will determine whether my home ever gets restored to it's former glory.

What I Need

Strata law is complex, and Legal Aid isn’t available. I’ve been raising funds for legal fees to cover:

Every dollar will go to legal costs. Any excess funds will:

How You Can Help

Please donate to help me afford legal help or share this campaign with your network. Every contribution brings me closer to justice, a safe home, and a chance to rebuild my life so that I can help others in need.

Thank you for your support,

Jo