Strata law is the law which governs how owners of strata title properties deal with each other and others such as the local council. As the name suggests strata is where a piece of land has been divided into stratum, such as a unit block, and strata title owners effectively own a little bit of space above the ground.
Before strata schemes, most commonly, a unit block was divided up was using a scheme called “company title”. Under that system a company was the owner of a property and shareholders held a right to occupy a certain part of the property. Some properties are still under company title. Often company title properties are less expensive than strata title because the ‘owner’ does actually own the real property, rather ‘merely’ the shares in the company which owns the property. Banks may not lend to as high an LVR (loan to value ratio) on company title properties.
Strata title was ultimately conceived in NSW and the legislation implementing the regime came into force in 1961. Since then strata law has continued to develop with a few significant pieces of legislation affecting strata schemes before and since. Some important changes commenced when the latest reform, the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, came into effect in late 2016.
The capability to subdivide property using the strata system is now used by all states and territories of Australia.
A significant feature of strata schemes is the existence of common property for which the owners corporation have certain duties including to maintain and repair. While strata schemes have made the buying and selling of often more affordable property easier, strata living provides its own complications arising from often close living and joint responsibility intrinsic to the owners corporation.
NSW Strata Law
By-Laws
- What is the process for getting a by-law amended or repealed?
- Can an Owners Corporation pass a by-law that prohibits short term lettings such as Airbnb?
- I have been told we need to consolidate our by-laws. What does this involve and how much does it cost?
- I want to conduct renovations to my strata lot, do I need a by-law?
- An owner is not complying with a by-law, what can I do?
Owners’ Corporation
- I haven’t been able to resolve a problem with the Owners Corporation, can I immediately make an application to a Strata Schemes Adjudicator?
- What is a poll vote at an Owners Corporation General Meeting?
- I’ve heard you need to get 75% to pass a Special Resolution at a General Meeting of a Body Corporate for a Strata Plan, is that correct?
- I am the owner of a lot or unit in a NSW Strata Plan and I want to bring a motion to a General Meeting of the Owners Corporation, what do I do?
- An owner has conducted works without the approval of the Owners Corporation. I’m worried about the quality of the works performed. What are my options?
- There is a leak in the roof of my lot that the Owners Corporation has not fixed. Have they breached their duty to maintain and repair common property?
- I want to call a general meeting of the owners corporation. How do I do this?
- I think an Owner has a conflict of interest, can they still vote in a motion?
Strata Committee
- I’m on the strata committee and I think the committee needs some legal advice. How do we engage a lawyer?
- How do I know if I am eligible to be appointed as a member of the strata committee?
- How do I remove a member from the strata committee?
- I want to elect a new secretary, treasurer or chairperson (officer). How do I do this?
- How do I remove a secretary, treasurer or chairperson (officer) from their position?
- I want to call a strata committee meeting. How do I do this?
- I’m on the Executive Committee, what kind of decisions can we make?