Strata Q&A

Clear answers to the questions Australian committees actually ask. Free, and written for volunteers — not lawyers.

What's the difference between the Admin Fund and the Capital Works Fund? NSW
Who pays the insurance excess when a common property pipe damages my unit? NSW
Who is responsible for mould in a strata apartment — the committee or the resident? NSW
Can I replace carpet with timber floors in my strata apartment? NSW
Can we tow a car parked illegally in our strata visitor parking? NSW
Can our strata by-laws ban all pets from the building? NSW
How do we issue a Notice to Comply when someone breaches our by-laws? NSW
What do we do about dumped furniture in the strata bin room? NSW
Can our strata scheme ban Airbnb in the building? NSW
What happens if our capital works fund can't cover an urgent repair? NSW
How do we approve an owner's EV charger or solar panels on common property? NSW
Can we stop a neighbour's cigarette or vape smoke drifting into our apartment? NSW
How much notice do we need to give owners before an AGM? NSW
How much can our strata committee spend without holding a general meeting? NSW
Can our committee hide building reports from owners? NSW
How do we replace our strata manager if we're unhappy with them? NSW
Can we run our strata meetings and votes electronically? NSW
What does a strata secretary do? NSW
What does a strata treasurer do? NSW
What does the strata chairperson do? NSW
What can a strata committee decide without a general meeting? NSW
What is the difference between the owners corporation and the strata committee? NSW
How long do we have to claim building defects in NSW? NSW
What is a quorum for a strata meeting? NSW
How do strata proxy votes work? NSW
What is the difference between an ordinary and a special resolution? NSW
Can owners in levy arrears vote at a strata meeting? NSW
What must strata meeting minutes contain and when are they due? NSW
How are strata levies calculated? NSW
What can be done about an owner in levy arrears? NSW
What is a 10-year capital works fund plan? NSW
Does our strata scheme need an audit? NSW
Who is responsible for repairs, the owner or the owners corporation? NSW
What counts as common property versus lot property? NSW
Who is responsible for water leaks between apartments? NSW
What is the owners corporation's duty to maintain and repair? NSW
How do you make or change a strata by-law? NSW
How do you enforce a by-law an owner is ignoring? NSW
What must a strata scheme insure? NSW
How often does a strata scheme need an insurance valuation? NSW
What insurance do individual owners still need in strata? NSW
What does a strata managing agent actually do? NSW
What resolution is needed to terminate a strata manager? NSW
Can a strata scheme self-manage? NSW
What is compulsory strata management (NCAT appointment)? NSW
What is a section 184 certificate? NSW
What records must a strata scheme keep and for how long? NSW
How does strata mediation work? NSW
How do I take a strata dispute to NCAT? NSW
Who is responsible for common property cleaning and gardens? NSW
Can I make alterations to common property? NSW
What is unit entitlement and why does it matter? NSW
What can I do about a noisy neighbour in strata? NSW
Can I run a business from my strata lot? NSW
How is the strata committee elected? NSW
How many members can be on a strata committee? NSW
Can a tenant be on the strata committee? NSW
How do you remove a strata committee member? NSW
Can a strata committee member be paid? NSW
What is a conflict of interest for a committee member? NSW
How often must the strata committee meet? NSW
Can one person hold more than one committee role? NSW
What happens if no one nominates for the strata committee? NSW
How do you call an AGM? NSW
What must be on an AGM agenda? NSW
Can strata decisions be made outside a meeting? NSW
What is a poll vote in strata? NSW
How do you submit a motion for a strata meeting? NSW
Can you hold a strata meeting by video call? NSW
What is a unanimous resolution? NSW
Who can attend a strata general meeting? NSW
How often are strata levies paid? NSW
What happens if I don't pay my strata levies? NSW
Can strata charge interest on overdue levies? NSW
What is a strata budget and who sets it? NSW
What are strata financial statements? NSW
What can strata funds be spent on? NSW
What is a strata levy notice? NSW
Can strata levies be increased mid-year? NSW
Who fixes a leaking roof in strata? NSW
Who is responsible for balcony repairs? NSW
Who pays for window repairs in strata? NSW
What are emergency repairs and who authorises them? NSW
Who is responsible for the hot water system? NSW
What is a building defect versus wear and tear? NSW
Who is responsible for pest control in strata? NSW
What do I do if the owners corporation won't fix a defect? NSW
What are model by-laws? NSW
Can the committee change strata by-laws? NSW
What is a common property rights by-law? NSW
Can strata make a by-law about parking? NSW
Are strata by-laws legally enforceable? NSW
Can a strata by-law be challenged as unfair? NSW
Do new owners have to follow existing by-laws? NSW
Can strata ban BBQs on balconies? NSW
What does strata building insurance cover? NSW
Why did our strata insurance premium go up? NSW
Do we need public liability insurance? NSW
Do committee members need liability insurance? NSW
How do we make a strata insurance claim? NSW
Who arranges the strata insurance? NSW
How much does a strata manager cost? NSW
What should be in a strata management agreement? NSW
What are the signs of a bad strata manager? NSW
Can the committee override the strata manager? NSW
How do we find a new strata manager? NSW
What is the strata roll? NSW
Can I get a copy of the strata by-laws? NSW
How do I see the strata financial records? NSW
What is a strata information certificate? NSW
How long must strata records be kept? NSW
How do I access my strata scheme's insurance details? NSW
What can I do about a neighbour breaking the strata rules? NSW
Can strata fine me for breaking a by-law? NSW
How do I complain about my strata committee? NSW
What is Fair Trading's role in strata disputes? NSW
How do I resolve a strata parking dispute? NSW
Can I take my strata manager to NCAT? NSW
Can I put a lock or gate on common property? NSW
Who is responsible for common property lighting? NSW
Can I use common property for storage? NSW
Can I install an air conditioner on common property? NSW
What is exclusive use of common property? NSW
Can strata rent out common property? NSW
What are my rights as a strata owner? NSW
Can I rent out my strata apartment? NSW
What are my rights as a strata tenant? NSW
Can I smoke in my own strata apartment? NSW
What can I do about noise from another unit? NSW
Can strata stop me having visitors or guests? NSW
Do I need approval to renovate my strata unit? NSW
What renovations need owners corporation approval? NSW
What is a minor renovation in strata? NSW
Can I install floorboards in my strata unit? NSW
Can I renovate my strata bathroom? NSW
What is cosmetic work in strata? NSW
Can I install solar panels in strata? NSW
Can I get an EV charger installed in strata? NSW
What is a sustainability infrastructure resolution? NSW
Can strata block me from installing solar? NSW
What is an Annual Fire Safety Statement? NSW
What are strata fire safety obligations? NSW
Do strata windows need safety locks? NSW
What are the pool fence rules in strata? NSW
What should I check before buying a strata property? NSW
What is a strata inspection report? NSW
What questions should I ask before buying into strata? NSW
What are the rules for a two-lot strata scheme? NSW
What is a large strata scheme? NSW
What is a Building Management Committee? NSW
What is the difference between strata and community title? NSW
What is strata? NSW
How does a strata scheme work? NSW
What is an owners corporation? NSW
What is a strata committee? NSW
What is common property? NSW
What is a lot in strata? NSW
What is a strata plan? NSW
What are strata levies and what do they pay for? NSW
What is the administrative fund? NSW
What is the capital works fund? NSW
What is a strata by-law? NSW
What is an AGM in strata? NSW
What is an EGM in strata? NSW
What is a strata managing agent? NSW
What is strata insurance? NSW
What does it mean to buy into strata? NSW
What are my responsibilities as a strata owner? NSW
who runs a strata scheme? NSW
What happens at a strata meeting? NSW
Do I have to attend strata meetings? NSW
What is a motion at a strata meeting? NSW
What is NCAT and how does it help with strata? NSW
who do I contact about a strata problem? NSW
What is the difference between strata and owning a house? NSW