As the world shifts toward becoming a "cashless society", we will see further changes to the available payment options via the DEFT payment system. The key dates are November 2023 and March 2024. If you currently make payments via cheque, please read the below release from Macquarie Bank for further information about how you can pay your levies and owner invoices moving forward. We recommend you prepare an alternate method of payment effective immediately.

The two most common causes of complaints in strata scheme communal living are illegal parking on common property and noise. Provided there is a registered by-law prohibiting parking on common property the Owners Corporation can authorise the Strata Manager to take appropriate steps set down in the Legislation to ensure compliance with the relevant by-law, which may include the imposition of fines of up to $5,500. Where illegal parking is occurring in a private car space, the

The introduction of mandatory child proof window locks in strata schemes occurred in 2017 but there are still some strata schemes, to which the Legislation is applicable, that have not complied with the statutory requirement of installing these locks. For those strata schemes that have installed window locks, it stands to reason that they require periodic checking and maintenance by a suitably qualified tradesperson. Given that the window lock is common property under the Leg

Remedial work involving rectification, corrective actions or upgrading for deteriorating building elements in an aging building, or defect rectification in new buildings is now covered under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (DBP Act) and Design and the Building Practitioners Regulations 2021 (DBP Regulations). This means that Owners Corporations can only engage registered building practitioners listed on the public register to carry out rectification work. Befor

The NSW Government is providing strata schemes with grant funding to prepare their building for the future by upgrading infrastructure to enable adequate EV charging facilities. The grants on offer include subsidizing a feasibility assessment so costs do not exceed $2,000 +GST, as well as co-funding the building infrastructure upgrade, up to $80,000 per building. The grants will be on offer until the pool of $10 million in grant money is exhausted. To qualify for: Stage 1 (f

This Bill has been tabled in NSW Parliament following the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) (SSMA) and the Strata Schemes Development Act 2015 (NSW) (SSDA). Related amendments are also proposed to the Community Land Development Act 2021 and the Community Land Management Act 2021. The initial review resulted in 139 recommendations being put forward, the full report can be found by clicking HERE. This Bill addresses 31 of the recommended chan

John Minns, the previous Property Services Commissioner, has been appointed as the new Strata and Property Services Commissioner. With more than 84,000 strata schemes in NSW, the current NSW Government made an election promise to focus on improving outcomes for those working and living in strata. Mr Minns has been tasked with the responsibility of seeing these long overdue goals come to fruition. Our office will be keeping a keen eye on any initiatives to come from the appoin

The Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Information) Regulation 2021 (“The Regulation”) has put in place a requirement for the Owners Corporation of every Strata Scheme in NSW to disclose and maintain certain information via the new “Strata Hub”. The Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson, said, “The information stored in the Strata Hub will give purchasers and owners insights into the strata scheme and help them to make informed decisions about a buil

Apart from the sharing of GST revenue and receiving various other grants from the Federal Government, the NSW Government also raises its own taxes, some of which have a direct bearing on federal Government revenue. Land Tax, Payroll Tax and Stamp Duty make up the major part of state tax revenue at present. For federal Income Tax purposes the state Land Tax is tax deductible whereas Stamp Duty is not deductible but is taken into account when the investment property is sold

Apart from the loss of international students and contracted overseas labour, more than 60,000 people departed Sydney and Melbourne to other parts of the country in the 12 months to March 2021 (according to the latest ABS figures released on 3rd August, 2021). This exodus of residents from Sydney and Melbourne is a trend that has emerged following the COVID-19 recession with 31,600 residents departing Sydney and 32,000 residents departing Melbourne in the year to March, 2021

It has been a common practice for owners corporations to impose conditions on the keeping of animals in the Strata Scheme’s by-laws. As society recognises the importance of companionship provided by pets, particularly since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, these by-laws have come under increasing scrutiny. In August 2021, under the Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Pets) Regulation 2021, we saw laws come into effect which dictate that strata by-laws which unreasonabl

The NSW Government has introduced changes to transition conveyancing from paper Title Deeds to digital Title Deeds. From 11th October, 2021 all land dealings will be completed and lodged via the PEXA electronic conveyancing system which was mandated in March, 2021 as being the only way to register land dealings and Strata Scheme by-laws. As only solicitors and conveyancers have access to the PEXA system, it has effectively created a duopoly on land dealings in NSW and of cou

In Australia, most residential unit blocks, old or new have banned smoking in common areas such as hallways, common living spaces, outdoor communal areas and more. In some states, Strata Schemes have completely banned smoking in all areas of apartments by introducing smoke free by-laws. In recent times second hand smoke has become a major health concern in residential strata units blocks with organisations such as the Cancer Council getting behind the move.

One of the most common enquires received by Strata Managers is from lot owners who did not attend the annual general meeting asking why their levies have increased. There appears to be a common misconception that the Strata Manager increased the levies, which is not correct as a Strata Manager does not have the legal authority to change or raise levies. Generally (with the exception of special levies) strata levies are determined at the annual general meeting of proprietors p

In recent years, and particularly during the COVID-19 crisis, a large number of residential unit, villa and town house owners, have been undertaking a range of renovations. Apart from painting and installing picture hooks, which do not require consent, the following renovations do require the consent of the Owners Corporation either by a majority vote or a special resolution of a general meeting and the registration of a by-law on the common property Title Deed.

Insurance premiums have increased significantly since 2019 as a result of the bushfires experienced in 2019/ 2020, the economic uncertainty created by COVID-19, large business interruption claims as well as falling investment returns on insurers capital base due to low interest rates. In addition, independently of insurers, the state Government has increased by one third the Fire Service Levy which is imposed on the gross premium of every insurance policy.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and many people working from home, the number disputes between owners, tenants and Owners Corporations have increased significantly. The result being that a number of applications for Tribunal and Court Orders for a range of matters have also increased. Some strata committees are highly risk averse when confronted with an application for an Order against their Owners Corporation and unnecessarily concede defeat to the applicant whereas,

When the Legislation was introduced requiring all Strata Schemes to install child proof window locks, the Regulator failed to consult with industry. As a result the following questions still remain unanswered: · are window locks required to have regular inspections? · if the locks are damaged or removed and someone is injured as a result, is the Owners Corporation exclusively liable or is there claim for contributory damages?; · as t

All construction materials have a finite lifetime. With bathrooms, and shower areas in particular, the expiration of that life time is evident when leakage occurs into other areas of the unit, common property, or both. Apart from burst water pipes, washing machine/dishwasher hoses, the most common water leakage problem is associated with shower recess leakage in bathroom and ensuite areas, where moisture is penetrating a wall or the base

Learn about how COVID-19 has affected strata schemes and what it means for you.