Useful Links

NSW Government
The NSW Government website is a comprehensive resource for anyone living in, buying into, or managing a strata property in New South Wales. It provides guidance on strata laws, rights and responsibilities, and practical advice on topics such as repairs and maintenance, pets, parking, and dispute resolution. The site also offers updates on legislative changes and tools like the Strata Hub, which helps owners and residents access key information about their strata scheme.
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Your Strata Property
Your Strata Property is a trusted online resource dedicated to helping strata property owners, residents, and managers navigate the complexities of strata living in Australia. Founded by Amanda Farmer, a strata lawyer with extensive experience, the platform offers expert advice, educational content, and practical guidance on strata law and management. It features a popular podcast, insightful articles, and a supportive online community where members can access legal insights, dispute resolution strategies, and best practices for harmonious strata living. Whether you're new to strata or an experienced owner, Your Strata Property provides valuable tools to help you make informed decisions.
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Look Up Strata
LookUpStrata is Australia's leading online resource for strata title information, offering expert insights, news, and practical guidance for strata owners, managers, and residents. Since 2013, it has provided reliable and accessible strata knowledge, helping individuals navigate by-laws, dispute resolution, and legislative changes. The platform features articles from industry professionals, webinars, and state-based strata magazines, making it a go-to hub for anyone involved in strata living.
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Owners Corporation Network
Owners Corporation Network (OCN) is the leading consumer advocacy group for strata owners in Australia. Established in 2002, OCN represents the interests of residential strata, community title, and company title owners and occupiers. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, it provides education, support, and advocacy to help strata communities navigate challenges such as building defects, governance, and sustainability. OCN actively engages with government and industry to influence policy and improve strata living conditions.
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Strataman

Strataman is a dedicated online resource designed to simplify strata title laws and management in New South Wales. It serves as an information portal, offering clear explanations of complex strata regulations, by-laws, and governance issues. The site is tailored for owners, tenants, investors, and strata managers, helping them navigate the legal and operational aspects of strata living. Strataman focuses primarily on NSW legislation, providing practical guidance on topics such as community schemes, dispute resolution, and strata governance.
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Strata Report Guide

Understanding And Using Your Strata Report

Buying into a strata scheme means you’re not just purchasing a lot. You’re also buying into the building’s finances, maintenance history, By-Laws, and long‑term plans. This guide walks you through some of the major sections of your Strata Report and highlights what to look for, what questions to ask, and where further clarification may be needed. Under each section of your Assure Strata Report, you’ll find built‑in explainers. These are included for every topic and record to provide context and clarity as you move through the report. Because transparency and understanding are so important to us, we’ve also created this complimentary guide as a learning companion to your Strata Report. It covers the most common questions we’re asked when helping clients review their reports and is designed to make the process even easier to navigate. It’s always worth taking the time to review your entire Strata Report in full and make sure you understand each topic and its implications for your potential purchase. Every buyer’s needs are different, and every strata property is unique; what feels right for one person may not suit another. Please note that our insights and discussions are of a general nature only and that any further information should be sought from the Lot Owner / Strata Management or relevant qualified professionals before drawing conclusions on any of the subject matter.

Resources

Each link below connects you to pages that expand on the topics we commonly reference in our reports. We’ve provided a brief summary of what you’ll find at each destination so you can explore further with purpose.

Financial Health of the Scheme

A strata scheme’s finances tell you a lot about how well the building is managed and whether future costs may arise. Healthy funds reduce the risk of sudden, unexpected costs for owners. What to look for: - Admin Fund & Capital Works Fund balances: Low balances may indicate underfunding. - Arrears: High levy arrears can strain the scheme. - Expenditure: Seeing where the money is being spent helps you understand the priorities of the scheme. - Special levies: Recent or current special levies often signal major repairs or budget shortfalls. - Past levy schedules: Included in your report to help you see financial trends over time.

Resources

These resources outline how strata levies are calculated, what they fund, and how financial decisions are made. It explains the difference between administrative and capital works funds, how budgets are set, and what happens if owners fall into arrears. Understanding this helps you assess the financial health of a scheme and interpret levy notices and balance sheets in your report.

Capital Works Fund Plan, Defects, Repairs & Major Works

Delaying essential works or inadequate budgeting can lead to higher costs later. Check whether the scheme: - Has a 10-year Capital Works Fund Plan - Has updated the plan recently - Is following the plan - Has postponed or cancelled recommended works Your report highlights any known issues within the building discussed in the meeting minutes. Defects can affect your living experience and may lead to additional levies or temporary disruptions. This may include: - Water ingress or leaks - Structural concerns - Concrete spalling - Roof, lift, or plumbing issues - Ongoing or upcoming major works

Resources

Major defects can have serious financial and legal implications for owners. These resources explain how building complaints are handled, what qualifies as a major defect, and the importance of independent building inspection reports. If your report references defect claims, rectification works, or inspection findings, these links offer deeper insight.

By-Laws & Litigation

By‑laws set the rules for living in the building. These rules directly affect your lifestyle and how you can use your lot. Common topics to be aware of include: - Pets - Renovations - Parking - Noise - Smoking - Short‑term letting (e.g., Airbnb) - Special By-Laws for your lot Litigation can be costly and may delay repairs or increase levies. It can also indicate deeper issues within the building. If the Owners Corporation is involved in legal disputes or when there are signs of Litigation within the scheme, we always recommend contacting Strata Management or the Vendor directly to understand the current status of the issue. Litigation is usually recorded in: - Meeting minutes - Financial statements

Resources

Disputes in strata schemes can arise over levies, renovations, noise, or governance. This page outlines the formal and informal pathways for resolving issues, including mediation, adjudication, and Tribunal hearings. If your report references ongoing disputes or legal action, this resource helps you understand the process and potential outcomes.

Insurance & Compliance

The Owners Corporation must maintain building insurance. Underinsurance or lapses in coverage can expose owners to significant financial risk. What to check: - Is the policy current? - Does the sum insured seem adequate? - Are there any noted exclusions or concerns? - Is there a recent Insurance Valuation? When reading your Strata Report, compliance records help you understand whether the building is meeting its legal obligations. If documents like the Annual Fire Safety Statement, Pool Certificate, or Lift Certifications are current, it means essential safety measures have been properly inspected and certified. If they're missing or expired, it signals potential non-compliance, future costs, or risks the Owners Corporation may need to address. It's important to note that not all schemes are obligated to have these documents, as some may not have a lift or pool, or be required to obtain an AFSS. We always recommend confirming this with the Strata Management.

Resources

These pages detail the safety obligations of strata schemes, including fire safety measures, window locks, pool fencing, and pesticide notifications. They also explain the NSW Cladding Taskforce and how buildings are assessed for combustible cladding. If your report references fire orders, cladding audits, or safety upgrades, these links provide the regulatory background.

Meeting Minutes, Strata Management & Communication

A well‑managed scheme is easier to live in and typically more financially stable. Look for signs of: - Timely responses - Clear communication - Regular maintenance - Professional record‑keeping Minutes reveal the building’s priorities, disputes, maintenance history, and how proactive the committee is. We always encourage readers to review the most recent meeting minutes, as they usually give the best indication of the scheme’s current position. We also include meeting agendas where available, as they often contain the relevant attachments and supporting documents. Your report typically includes: - Past meeting minutes - Recent agendas - Key decisions and discussions

Resources

These pages explain the different roles within a strata scheme, including the owners' corporation, strata committee, strata manager, and building manager. You'll learn how each role contributes to the operation of the scheme, how decisions are made, and what powers and limitations apply. This is essential context for interpreting meeting minutes, correspondence, and management practices in your report.
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