All Renting / Selling / Buying Strata Property Articles

National

New South Wales

• Tenant Participation In a Strata Scheme
  NSW Fair Trading
  Tenants can now be represented on strata committees (the committee responsible for day-to-day management) if at least half of the units in their strata scheme are rented. Tenants can also attend meetings of the owners corporation except when financial and certain other matters are being discussed.
• Collective sale of a strata scheme
  NSW Fair Trading
  Owners can collectively sell and redevelop their block if at least 75% of the lot owners agree and if certain requirements are met. Each owner must have 60 days to consider the ‘strata renewal plan’ and the NSW Land and Environment Court must check and approve all plans and approvals. All owners must receive at least market value for their property.
• Buying into a Strata Scheme

  NSW Fair Trading
  How much do you know about buying strata property and living in a strata scheme? Before purchasing a strata title property you should be aware of the following issues……

• Changes to short-term rental accommodation
  NSW Fair Trading
  Short-term rental accommodation options have changed greatly over the past few years and new laws find a balance for all participants and others affected.
• Renewing the Compact City: Economically viable and socially sustainable approaches to urban redevelopment
  Laurence Troy, Bill Randolph, Laura Crommelin, Hazel Easthope & Simon Pinnegar, UNSW
  The aim of this project was to explore equitable and viable solutions to what has emerged as a fundamental issue facing Australian cities in coming decades: how to effectively, efficiently and inclusively redevelop older areas of privately owned multi‐unit strata titled housing to achieve the higher densities needed to accommodate population growth without exacerbating social inequalities and collateral social disruption.
  The research, therefore, addresses questions of both feasibility and equity regarding the termination and renewal of strata schemes.
• Tenants’ rights manual: a practical guide to renting in NSW, 4th edition [eBook]
  Tenants’ Union of NSW
  Especially for tenants and people who work with tenants on issues to do with renting.

Queensland

• Buying a body corporate property
  Queensland Government
  If you are thinking about buying into a community titles scheme—that is, buying a lot (unit, apartment, etc.) on a property that has a body corporate—you may want to learn more about its particular situation.
  This resource will help you decide what searches you wish to do if any, and give you an understanding of what your responsibilities as a lot owner would be.
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  Gold Coast Development Map

  Brisbane Development
  The Gold Coast Development Map below is a free development map of all known Gold Coast projects, created collaboratively by the people who use it. The map illustrates major proposals, approvals and projects under construction.

Victoria

• Buying an apartment or unit checklist
  A useful checklist for buying strata property provided by Consumer Affairs Victoria.
• Buying into an owners corporation
  Consumer Affairs Victoria
  A selection of resources to assist people buying into a strata scheme.

Australian Capital Territory

• Factsheet: Selling a unit – implied warranties
  ACT Government: Justice and Community Safety
  Buyers have valuable rights when buying an ACT unit. A buyer may cancel a contract if these rights are breached.
• Factsheet: Developers
  ACT Government: Justice and Community Safety
  The decisions made by the developer can affect off-the-plan purchasers and future unit owners. The law places limitations on the actions of developers during the development process but recognises that developers require flexibility managing their development.
• Buying strata property?
  ACT Law Society
  What happens when you want to buy a house, a unit, a block of land, or other forms of real estate? How do you make sure that your rights are protected? How can your solicitor advise you, and what will he or she do on your behalf to make sure everything is in order?
• Body corporate/owner’s corporation – what does it have to do with me?
  Tenants’ Union ACT Inc.
  Renting in Canberra? Know your rights.

Tasmania

• Is a tenant bound by the by-laws? Are there any restrictions on the leasing of a lot? What recourse is there where a tenant is breaching the by-laws of the body corporate? Who is entitled to a copy of the by-laws?
  Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment: Land, Property and Titles

South Australia

• Buying strata property
  Legal Services Commission of South Australia
  Matters to be considered in purchasing a strata unit.

Western Australia

• Guide to Strata Title
  This publication contains a FAQ section (page 25) for strata owners and residents containing answers to common questions including:
  • When I bought my unit, I didn’t know I was buying a strata property. Why wasn’t I told it was a strata property?
  • Is there a simple method to convert my strata property to a conventional title, also known as a “non-strata freehold title”?