Retirement is the perfect time to slow down, enjoy your hobbies, travel, and spend time with family and friends. But for many Australians, the upkeep of a traditional house, lawns to mow, gutters to clean, fences to repair, can quickly become a burden.

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. 

Asbestos was once a popular building material because it was durable, fire-resistant, and affordable. It was commonly used in roofing, flooring, insulation, and even bathroom walls. The health risks come from inhaling asbestos fibres, which can cause serious illness

General meetings are where big decisions get made, budgets, by-laws, repairs, and even litigation. If there’s something you want the scheme to decide on, the way to make it happen is by putting forward a motion….

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. 

Once upon a time, if you wanted to attend a strata meeting, it meant hauling yourself at 6:30 pm on a wet Tuesday night into a community hall, library room, or down in the basement carpark (with you skipping back and forth to keep the sensor light on). Then came COVID-19, Zoom, Teams, Skype and the age of virtual everything. But what about strata meetings? Can you legally meet online? And are the rules the same in every state? 

I If you've ever sat through a tense strata committee meeting, you’ll know that disagreements are part and parcel of strata living. Disputes over budgets, by-laws, lawn arrangements, or even flowerpots are not uncommon. But when those disagreements turn into Tribunal proceedings seeking the appointment of a compulsory managing agent under section 237 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) (“SSMA”),

Running a strata scheme involves many decisions from approving budgets to authorising repairs or updating by-laws. These decisions are usually made through voting at general meetings or by written/electronic ballot. But here’s the catch: if the voting process isn’t handled properly….

In simple terms, common property is everything in your strata building or complex that’s not part of your individual lot. It’s owned collectively by all owners and managed by the owners corporation (or body corporate in some states). 

So, you're moving into a strata property and dreaming of cozy evenings with your furry (or scaly… or feathery) companion. But before you bring your beloved pet through the door, it's important to know: not all pets are welcome in strata living. 

Let's take a playful (but helpful!) stroll through which pets usually get a green light and which ones might raise a few strata eyebrows. 

If you own a strata property, you’ve probably thought, “Hmm, I’ll just freshen things up a bit.” But in strata, “freshening up” can mean anything from a lick of paint to a full-blown, dust-everywhere, jackhammers at 50 paces, council-approval required makeover. The trick is knowing whether your project is either cosmetic, minor, or major because the rules (and the paperwork) are very different. 

If you own an apartment, townhouse, or villa in a strata scheme, chances are you’ve heard whispers about the infamous strata meeting. Maybe you’ve even received a politely worded notice inviting (or is it summoning?) you to an Annual General Meeting (AGM).  

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. 

The ultimate guide for strata, community, and company title leaders who want order… and maybe even smiles. 

So, you’ve drawn the short straw (or bravely volunteered) to chair the meeting. Congratulations! You now hold the gavel of power… or, more realistically, the pen you’ll tap on the table to get everyone’s attention. Chairing a meeting doesn’t have to feel like herding cats. With the right approach, you can run a meeting that’s productive, on time, and (dare we say) enjoyable. 

Let’s be honest: receiving a strata meeting notice doesn’t exactly spark joy. For many of us, it’s right up there with tax return instructions and assembling flat-pack furniture. But before you glaze over and bury it under a pile of takeaway menus or delete into your email bin, give it a second look. That notice holds more power than you think it tells you when big (and small) decisions about your building will be made, and whether your voice gets heard or drowned out. 

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. 

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. 

A torn flyscreen might seem like a small annoyance, but in a strata property, even small repairs can raise the big question, who’s responsible? The answer depends on a few key factors: whether it’s part of the common property, your lot, and what your by-laws say. 

Buying an apartment, townhouse or a community title property can be exciting, but it’s also a major financial commitment. Beyond inspecting the property itself, one step many buyers overlook is the record search, [also termed a ‘strata search’]. This is a simple yet powerful tool that can protect you from unexpected costs and headaches down the track.