As more Australians seek autonomy and cost savings in managing their apartment buildings and townhouse complexes, self-managed strata schemes are gaining traction. While this approach offers significant benefits including lower costs and greater control it also presents complex challenges that require careful planning and, increasingly, creative hybrid solutions. 

Maintaining a property isn't just about appearance it’s about protecting your investment, ensuring the safety of residents, and preventing expensive issues before they arise. In Australia, strata-titled properties come with their own complexities. Shared ownership, multi-residence layouts, and varied responsibilities mean that maintenance must be consistent, well-planned, and proactive. 

Few issues cause as much friction in apartment living as smoking and vaping. One person sees it as a personal choice; their neighbour experiences it as smoke drifting through windows, doors or vents,  sometimes daily.

So what does the law actually say? And when does smoking or vaping stop being a private activity and become a legal problem?

Organising social events doesn’t have to be complicated, and over time, these small efforts build trust, reduce conflicts, and make strata living a more enjoyable experience for everyone.

We all love a furry (or feathered) friend but in strata or community title living, your neighbour’s pet can sometimes be more howl than wow. Maybe it’s a dog who thinks it’s auditioning for “The Voice,” a cat who treats every balcony as its personal runway, or a cockatoo with a vocabulary that would make your grandma blush. 

A professional strata manager is not just an administrator. They act as an advisor, coordinator, and compliance partner providing systems and expertise that help a scheme run smoothly. While the owners corporation / body corporate / strata company (the name varies by state) is always the final decision-maker, a professional manager gives the committee the tools and advice to make informed choices, ensuring the scheme is both legally compliant and well-maintained.

If you’re buying or selling an apartment, townhouse or villa in a strata scheme, chances are you’ll hear the term “Section 184 certificate” (aka a Strata Information Certificate) early in the process. It’s one of the most important documents in any strata property transaction, yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood.

This article explains what a Section 184 certificate is, why it’s important, what information it must contain, and how it fits into the broader Australia-wide framework of strata disclosure certificates.

Here’s a quick look at some of the best plants for balconies across Australia’s climate zones taking into account sunlight, wind exposure, pot size, and your desire to attract birds, bees, and butterflies.. 

Scammers are getting smarter — and contractors are firmly in their sights. With so many moving parts in a typical job, it only takes one weak spot for a fraudster to slip in and redirect thousands of dollars.

A good meeting starts with a good agenda. In strata and community schemes especially if you’re self-managed the agenda is your map. Without one, meetings can meander, tempers can flare, and you’ll probably forget the thing you actually needed to decide.

If you’re a strata treasurer or committee member in a self-managed scheme, you probably handle payments to regular contractors like cleaners, gardeners, or maintenance trades. But what happens when one of them suddenly sends an invoice with different bank account details?

The holiday season is a great time for celebrations, but it also means more rubbish. Extra food, gift packaging, and holiday leftovers can quickly overwhelm bin rooms in apartment buildings. A little care goes a long way in keeping shared spaces clean and odour-free.

If you own, live in, or manage a strata or community-title property in NSW whether it’s an apartment, townhouse, villa, or community-land scheme it’s worth understanding the law changes that have happened and what is in store for 2026. These reforms are designed to make strata living fairer, safer, and more transparent for everyone involved.

If you own a unit, townhouse in a strata scheme or a lot in a community association, you’ve probably heard about the statutory meetings but they can feel a bit formal or confusing. Don’t worry! These meetings are simply where owners come together to make decisions about how the property is run. Getting involved is important because your vote shapes how your community looks and functions.

We’ve all heard the horror stories the bathroom refit that turned into a full plumbing overhaul, the “quiet” painting job that somehow needed a jackhammer. In strata living, long or noisy renovations can push even the friendliest neighbour relationships to the brink……

Parking issues are one of the most common and frustrating challenges in strata communities. From visitor spots being used as permanent parking to residents blocking driveways or parking on lawns. Small problems can quickly escalate into big disputes.

The good news: with clear rules, consistent action, and good communication, most strata parking problems can be managed effectively.

Strata levies can feel like a mysterious and ever-increasing cost for many owners and residents in strata schemes. But behind every levy notice is a clear process, a legislated framework, and a practical purpose. 

Christmas lights are a great way to bring some cheer to your building, but in strata and community schemes you need to think about safety, rules and the people living around you. As electricians, we have seen what goes wrong and most issues are easily avoided with the right gear and a bit of common sense.

Picture this: you walk into the lobby of your building, notice the ceiling light has gone out, and think to yourself, “I’ll just call the strata manager, they’ll come fix it.”

It’s the ultimate home upgrade the promise of sleek benchtops, whisper-quiet drawers, and maybe even a super fancy tap that does fizzy as well as boiling water on command. But in a strata scheme, it’s also the fastest way to send your committee members scurrying for their by-law binders.