Owners Rights & Obligations

Check out our resources below relating to your rights and obligations as an Owner or Tenant.

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Articles

My Balcony Is Leaking — Who Is Responsible in NSW Strata?

At a Glance A leaking balcony in a strata building is commonly caused by failed waterproofing, cracked tiles, poor drainage or building movement. In...

Strata Plumbing: Who Is Responsible?

At a Glance This guide explains who is responsible for plumbing repairs in a NSW strata property. We clarify when the Owners Corporation handles...

Strata Disputes in NSW: Common Issues and How to Resolve Them

Neighbour noise? Parking problems? Learn the most common strata disputes in NSW and how to resolve them — calmly, quickly, and in line with the...

Strata Levies: What You’re Paying For, How They’re Set, and Why They May Go Up

Strata Levies: What You’re Paying For, How They’re Set, and Why They May Go Up Strata levies are one of the most frequently misunderstood parts...

NSW Law Strata Reforms July 2025: An Overview

Big changes are coming to NSW strata laws from 1 July 2025. Learn what they mean for your building—from renovations and accessibility to committee...

Pets in Strata & Rentals: What You Need to Know in 2025

Thinking of adding a furry (or feathered) friend to your home? You’re not alone. With more people choosing apartment and strata living, the desire...

The Role of a Strata Committee in NSW: Why It Matters More Than Ever

Strata living offers many benefits; shared amenities, collective decision-making, and often, a strong sense of community. But all of this depends on...

Who is Responsible for Fences Between Lots and Common Property? 

When it comes to understanding fence responsibilities in strata schemes, the topic can quickly become confusing. In strata living, boundaries can...

Smoke Alarms in Strata Buildings: Whose Responsibility Are They? 

Smoke alarms are an essential safety feature in any building, but when it comes to strata properties, there can be confusion about who is responsible...

Everything You Need to Know About Installing Air Conditioning in a Strata Scheme

As temperatures rise across NSW, many apartment residents are considering air conditioning solutions to stay cool. But when you live in a...

A guide to your Work Health Safety obligations as a strata property owner

At Jamesons Strata Management, we’re committed to ensuring that your strata property is safe, comfortable, and well-managed. One key aspect of this...

Short Term Rentals in Strata Buildings: What Owners Need to Know

With the rise of platforms like Airbnb, many apartment owners and investors are exploring new income opportunities. One popular option is Airbnb...

How Insurance Commission Rebates Can Save Owners Thousands

Strata insurance is one of the highest expenses for any owners’ corporation or body corporate. The good news?   You may be able to reduce your...

Plumbing In Your Strata Managed Property -Who Is Responsible?

When living in a strata property, plumbing issues can be both frustrating and complex. Given that plumbing systems often run through multiple units...

Understanding NSW Strata Mediation and Adjudication

When there’s a disagreement in your strata scheme, whether between lot owners and the strata management, corporate body or owners corporations, and...

What Is A Certificate Of Currency & How To Get One

When you are looking to either buy or refinance a property, which includes an apartment, townhouse or villa that is part of a strata complex, you are...

Special Levy Strata NSW: What is a Special Levy?

If you have anything to do with strata schemes in NSW, you’ll know the term ‘special levy’ pops up from time to time.  In fact,...

New Pet Reform Laws – Why You May Need a New By-Law

Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. We’ve got over 29 million furry companions as a nation, with about 61% of all...

Everything you need to know about Strata Hub

“Strata Hub” is a NSW Government initiative created to increase transparency, provide better regulation, and improve engagement for all...

Ask an expert: Response to “Power Struggle: Doctor forced to sell electric car after his building removed the power point”

Industry response to article titled “Power Struggle: Doctor forced to sell electric car after his building removed the power point” published by...

Who Do You Complain to if Your Strata Manager Isn’t Pulling Their Weight?

Strata managers are here to make strata living easy and enjoyable, but a strata manager who isn’t performing their job effectively can actively...

Strata Management Statements and Building Management Statements: What’s the Difference?

Mixed use developments, such as those mixing retail and residential, are popular throughout NSW. But some of the terms when buying or investing in a...

When Do Strata Schemes in NSW Undergo Financial Auditing?

The majority of strata schemes in NSW will have their finances audited by an independent auditor. This process can help to ensure the strata scheme...

The Most Common Balcony Dramas in Strata – And Possible Solutions

Our balconies are where we go to soak up the sunshine and take in the view – but they can also be a source of angst for a surprisingly high number...

Roof Leak Repairs in Strata: Who’s Responsible and Who Pays?

With recent heavy rainfall, leaks have been a recurring frustration experienced by many of our clients. In such times, it is important to know, who...

What are the Expectations for Common Area Maintenance in Strata?

Most property needs maintenance as time goes on, whether we’re talking about foyers, hallways, staircases, elevators, roofs or swimming pools....

Trees, Bushes & Hedges: Who’s Responsible on a Strata Property?

Sick of leaves, nuts or fruit falling on your roof?Worried about a large or dangerous tree hanging over your property?Perhaps you’re simply wanting...

Rules On Having The Puurrfect Companion In Your Strata Managed Property

Did you know that Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world? According to the RSPCA, Australians own over 29 million pets...

Airbnb & Strata Managed Properties: What You Need To Know

If you are the owner or occupier of a lot on a strata property, you may have considered leasing out your property while you are away. Also known as...

What You Need To Know About Rubbish Disposal In Strata Living

As apartment and strata living becomes more common, waste disposal has become more of an issue. Nobody enjoys having, seeing or smelling rubbish near...

I Feel Like My Strata Property Is Overpopulated – What Are My Options?

As Australia’s population continues to grow at a staggering rate, more and more people are choosing to live in strata properties in our capital...

Storm Damage Vs Flood Damage – Why The Difference Matters

Reading the fine print on insurance is a task that no one enjoys. However, it is crucial to pay attention to the details of your insurance,...

Mailbox Theft In Strata Managed Properties: What Steps Can You Take?

Over the past year, the Australian Federal Police have reported an increase in identity fraud, credit card fraud and other such scams. In fact,...

The Common Seal In Strata Explained (And We’re Not Talking About The Marine Animal!)

When it comes to strata living, the common seal isn’t one of those adorable animals that you might see at a zoo. Instead, it’s a type of rubber...

Parking Disputes In Your Strata Managed Property – What Should You Do?

Though there are many great things to love about Sydney, a general lack of parking spaces isn’t one of them. The busier a street is, the more...

What You Need To Know About Sun Drying Your Clothes In Strata Properties

It’s not rocket science, but it’s worth repeating nonetheless: drying your clothes out on a clotheshorse on your balcony is better for the...

Are You Prepared For Sydney’s Unpredictable Weather? Why You Should Consider Catastrophe Cover

Though the weather in Sydney is often sunny, warm, and the envy of others, this can change at the drop of a hat. A cloudless sky can quickly fill...

What Will Happen if I Don’t Pay My Strata Levies?

Strata levies can often be a hidden sting for new owners, an unexpected second hangover after the elation of finally becoming an owner (the first...

What You Should Know About Broadband And NBN In Your Strata Property

The Australian National Broadband Network (NBN) is being rolled out, promising to finally get Australia on par with other developed countries when it...

How Much Is Too Much For Strata Levies?

A simple fact of strata living is that each strata’s levies are not the same. These mandatory body corporate fees can vary enormously depending on...

Managing Noise Levels In Your Building – What’s Acceptable?

Strata living has many upsides, including shared costs, a lot of ways you can engage in decision-making processes and, ideally, a friendly community...

What’s Required for a Quorum at a Strata Meeting?

In New South Wales, all meetings are required to have a quorum present. Whether the meeting is for an Annual General Meeting (AGM), Strata Committee...

How to Improve Your Strata Apartment Without Needing Permission

Minor and major renovations in your apartment or townhouse do require permission from your owners corporation, however anything classed as...

How Can I Improve the Noise Insulation of My Strata Apartment?

It can be upsetting when your strata neighbour is walking through their apartment wearing what seem to be wooden clogs, but what if you’re the one...

Can I Install Solar at my NSW Strata Property?

It makes a lot of sense to install solar panels wherever possible to make the most of free energy from the sun and cut down on electricity costs, but...

Electric Car Assessments for Sydney Strata Schemes

Tesla fans, listen up! If your strata scheme is located within the City of Sydney, you could now register for a free assessment and roadmap for...

A Word on Strata Parking (and Parking Fines)

You may have heard that Willoughby Council now has agreements to issue parking fines on some of its local strata properties, and that the City of...

My Neighbour’s Throwing Cigarette Butts on My Balcony – What Can I Do?

As can happen in any shared living environment, there is always the risk of someone’s actions becoming a problem for another resident in a strata...

Strata Repairs & Maintenance: Who is Responsible?

If you’re living in strata, it’s important to know exactly what you and your strata scheme are each responsible for when it comes to maintenance...

Can the New NSW Strata Reforms Improve My Parking Situation?

Have you been frustrated by the parking situation within your Sydney strata? That’s probably fair enough, as city workers commonly take advantage...

How can Owners Deal with Disposed Goods on Common Property?

In our video series Michael Vumbaca, General Manager at Jamesons Strata discusses how owners can deal with disposed goods on common property. In...

How Have The New Laws Affected Strata Insurance?

In our video series Michael Vumbaca, General Manager at Jamesons Strata discusses how the changes have affected strata insurance. This is one of...

What Is a Capital Works Fund, and Why Is It So Important?

If you lived in a building that you owned completely, you’d have to pay for all major works and renovations that the property needed. When you live...

How to Connect Your Apartment to the NBN

A strata group is working with the National Broadband Network (NBN) to ensure that apartment owners have the chance to hook up to fast internet....

Who Repairs Fences Dividing Neighbours in a Strata Scheme?

Fencing is one of the most common sources of friction between neighbours, and this is just as likely within a strata scheme as it is between house...

Reporting Noisy Neighbours In NSW Strata Blocks

While noise nuisance is a major problem for residents around Australia, the issue can be even more troublesome for apartment and unit residents. With...

What To Do When Your Apartment Springs A Leak

When dealing with property emergencies within strata schemes, there is a standard procedure to follow. If you discover a leak in or around your...

Body Corporate Bankruptcy: What are the risks?

Investors or those buying into a strata complex often worry about the financial health of their body corporate or owners’ corporation. After all,...

A Body Corporate / Manager’s Guide to Dealing with Difficult Tenants

Living in a strata scheme means having different people from different backgrounds trying to live harmoniously together under one shared roof. With a...

The Jamesons quick guide to the NBN & Pipe Networks

What is this NBN thing all about, and is it worth worrying about? Here are some quick facts for you to be aware of if your building has been...

There Is No Gas In My Unit

Gas supply seldom fails and the cause is most likely to be a fault with the appliance you are using. Gas appliances within a unit are the...

There is a Burst Water Pipe

If water suddenly starts running out of a wall, ceiling or floor it obviously should not be ignored and you should contact your strata manager...

Water is leaking from the unit above and has caused damage to the ceiling paintwork and to my carpet. Who is responsible for payment of the repairs?

The ceiling is generally considered common property and the Owners Corporation’s responsibility to repair. The lot owner is responsible however...

Is the balcony door my responsibility to repair and maintain?

Under the terms of The Strata Schemes Freehold Development Act 1973, any wall (including the door and door locks) between a unit and its balcony is...

The timber ductwork around the sewage pipe in my bathroom is leaking. The sewer pipe comes from the unit above and my toilet connects into it. Do I have to repair the ducting and the pipe as it is within my unit?

The Owners Corporation is responsible for the repair as the ducting encloses structural cubic space. Structural cubic space is automatically common...

I have accidentally reversed into my garage door. Who is responsible for the repairs?

You should contact your Strata Manager who can inform you whether the garage door is Strata or Individual Owner responsibility. If the garage door...

How do I fill out a proxy form?

Proxy forms for a range of meetings and scheme types are available to download from the Jamesons Document Bank. For informatin on how to fill out...

I need a copy of the By-Laws

Each property will have a varied set of By-Laws for their property depending on the make up of the scheme. They may also have special By-Laws that...

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