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. 

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.

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.

With a little planning, a clear agenda, and a good grasp of your legal obligations, you can run a smooth, productive meeting that sets your scheme up for success.

If you’ve been appointed Chairperson of your committee (or stepping in to chair a meeting), congratulations and don’t panic.  

Chairing a strata or community association meeting doesn’t require legal training or a big booming voice. It simply takes preparation, a fair approach, and an understanding of how strata an community meetings work. 

This beginner’s guide will walk you through your responsibilities and provide a handy checklist to help you run your first meeting smoothly and confidently. 

Strata and community title living is an increasingly popular choice across Australia, offering shared amenities, maintained common areas, and a built-in sense of community. However, behind the scenes of every well-run strata or community scheme lies a framework of clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Understanding who does what is essential for smooth operation, effective decision-making, and harmonious living. 

Strata management is a fast-moving, people-focused profession where no two days look the same. Between committee meetings, owner emails, compliance deadlines, phone calls, and maintenance issues, even the best software systems can only go so far. True efficiency comes down to how individual managers organise themselves how they plan, prioritise, and protect their time.

We’ve hacked them into to a simple, practical checklist to help strata managers stay organised, focused, and efficient every day ensure clients are looked after.

Choosing the right strata managing agent can make or break the smooth running of a strata scheme. A good agent takes the stress out of compliance, meetings, levies, and maintenance….

(A fast, fuss-free guide to meeting records for strata and community schemes) 

Taking minutes doesn’t need to be a headache or take all night. Whether you’re in a self-managed strata or community scheme, or just an active committee who undertake their own meetings, the aim is simple: record what was decided and who will do it. That’s it. Minutes are not a novel; they’re a record. 

Few things in strata life spark as much drama as parking. Forget soap operas the real action is over who owns that prized car space, mysterious garage, or bit of driveway. Here’s how to figure out who’s the boss of what, and why it matters to everyone from the most easy-going resident to the rule-book-clutching committee member. 

Losing your apartment keys can quickly turn a normal day into a stressful one especially if you live in a strata-managed building. Whether you’re locked out or simply can’t find your keys, knowing who to call (and what your responsibilities are) can help you act quickly and avoid unnecessary costs. 

Here’s a practical breakdown of what to do if you’ve lost your apartment keys, with real-life examples to make things clear. 

That empty concrete slab seems perfect for a few extra items a bike rack, maybe some shelves, boxes of unwanted clothes and crockery. But even though it’s your space, strata laws treat parking areas differently from private property. Here’s what you can (and can’t) store in an open car space without breaching by-laws or safety regulations. 

Building and facility managers are the unsung heroes of strata living, and choosing the right manager will lead to a far better shared living experience for all residents.

Renting an apartment comes with specific laws and regulations, and understanding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant is essential to getting the most our of the shared living experience.

From community gardens to pools and BBQ areas, shared amenities are a big part of what makes community living appealing, but along with the perks come responsibilities

Schemes should take their time, not rushing into management agreements based solely on cost, as the true value and potential pitfalls often lie in the contract’s fine print. 

Understanding the difference between your strata manager and your building manager can help you know who to contact when issues arise.