Frequently Asked Questions
Disclosure in relation to FAQ. The information provided in FAQ’s is general in nature Owners, Residents etc should seek their own professional advice or contact our office so that we may be able to supply more specific advice / information
What does a strata manager do?
A strata manager plays an essential role in managing and maintaining strata properties Their main responsibility is to help the owners corporations via its Strata Committee to manage the day to day operations, finances, maintenance, and legal compliance of the building. The strata manager works closely with the Strata Committee and generally will take instruction from the Strata Committee. The role of the manager includes but is not limited to secretarial and administration, arranging insurance, arrange works orders, arrange quotation for proposed works, maintain financial records and bank accounts, advising Strata Committee and Owners on By-law and other legal matters. They are most likely the first point of contact for owners.
What is the Strata Committee and what do they do?
The strata committee is a group of elected lot owners who manage the day-to-day administrative, financial, and maintenance affairs of a strata scheme. They act on behalf of the Owners Corporation (all owners) to enforce by-laws, approve repairs, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with building regulations.
The Strata Committee members are volunteers who work closely with the strata manager and provide instruction to the strata manager to manage the scheme.
What is a AGM or EGM?
Annual General Meeting (AGM), is a meeting where owners review the financial statements, elect the committee, set budgets and levies, and make decisions about the ongoing management of the building.
An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be held at any time during the year to decide on urgent or special matters.
What are strata Levies?
Strata levies are contributions paid by owners to cover the costs of day to day expenses that the Owners Corporation incur such as Cleaning, Lawns & Garden, Electricity , water usage , Insurances , repairing & maintaining the Common Property and saving for future works. The strata fees are agreed upon at the Annual General Meeting
The levies are divided into two accounts
- Administrative Fund – For day-to-day expenses like cleaning, gardening, and insurance.
- Capital Works Fund – for long-term or major replacement or improvement.
Special Levies – may be raised when extra funds are needed for specific projects such as major remedial works.
What is a Unit Entitlement ( UE )?
A Unit Entitlement represents each units value as a percentage of the value of the whole Strata Scheme. They impact an Owners Contributions to the expenses of a scheme, rights over common property and voting rights. A schedule of the Unit of Entitlements for each lot is registered with the original Strata Plan.
Who is responsible for repairs and maintenance?
This can be a complicated question, and various factors can determine who may be responsible , however as a general guide –
- The Owners Corporation is responsible for common property (e.g., common walls, roofs, windows, lifts, pool, and other shared services).
- The lot owner is responsible for the inside of their lot (e.g., paint, carpets, internal fixtures).
Who do I contact during an after-hours emergency?
Please click on the following link for our Emergency Tradesperson list
What are by-laws?
By-laws are the rules that govern how owners and residents use and enjoy the common property and their unit. They can cover matters such as noise, pets, parking, proposed renovations to units, the use of common property.
Does strata insurance cover the contents of my property?
No. Strata insurance covers the building, Common Property and internal structural elements of units, but NOT the contents of individual units. It is generally advised that Owners / Residents have landlord / contents insurance.
Can I Renovate my unit?
Yes you can , however approval generally needs to be obtained first.
It is best to check with your strata manager as there are various factors that determine what form of approval may be required
As a guide approval depends on whether the work is cosmetic (no Owners Corporation approval), minor works (usually ordinary resolution, sometimes this can be delegated to the strata committee), or major works (special resolution required with a By Law and cannot be delegated to the Strata Committee ). These works are generally defined in sections 108 to 110 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015
What is Strata Hub?
Strata Hub is a NSW Government digital platform designed to centralize information for strata schemes, including residents, owners corporations, and managers. It enables annual mandatory reporting of building details—such as safety, management, and insurance—to improve transparency, safety, and compliance. The NSW Government does have a fee per lot for the services.
Useful Links
Strata Community Association
General information on strata management
NSW Office of Fair Trading
Useful information on strata, renting and owning
NSW Legislation
and this site details the Strata Schemes Management Act