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Webinars & Education

What is strata? A guide for new owners and committees

Strata is a form of property ownership where you own an individual lot, such as an apartment or townhouse and share common property with other owners. A strata scheme is the structure that sets out how shared areas, costs, repairs, meetings and decisions are managed.

How does strata title work? Understanding shared ownership

Every strata property is divided into lots and common property. Understanding this division makes it easier to see where your private responsibilities end and the community's obligations begin.

Your property

The lot you own individually, such as an apartment, townhouse, unit, office, shop or warehouse.

Shared costs

Owners usually contribute through strata levies or fees that help fund administration, insurance, maintenance and repairs.

Common property

Shared areas and assets such as foyers, lifts, roofs, gardens, driveways, pipes and building services.

Shared responsibilities

Owners make decisions through meetings, votes and committees, with structures and terminology that vary by state.

What is strata management and why strata matters

Strata management is the professional coordination of a strata scheme. It covers the day-to-day tasks that keep a shared property running, including records, finances, maintenance, meetings and communication, so owners, committees and residents have a clear structure to rely on.


When there is no clear framework, shared ownership can quickly feel unclear. Owners may be unsure who pays for what, how levies are allocated, who approves repairs, where records are kept or how decisions are made.


Professional strata management helps ensure these responsibilities are handled consistently and in line with the requirements that apply to your scheme.

What does a strata manager do day-to-day

A strata manager administers the scheme and carries out agreed decisions made by the owners corporation, body corporate or committee. Their role is to keep records, levies, meetings, repairs, compliance and communication organised, so the property can be managed more consistently.

Managing budgets and financial levies

They manage the scheme's bank accounts, issue levy notices to owners, pay contractor invoices and prepare clear financial reports.

Keeping records organised

Archive meeting documents, financial information, correspondence, insurance details and maintenance history.

Guiding committee decisions

Preparing meeting notices, recording agendas and minutes and keeping decisions documented so agreed actions are easier to follow.

Supporting compliance requirements

Helping owners and committees tracking key obligations, deadlines and documentation so the scheme meets its legal and administrative requirements

Coordinating strata repairs and maintenance

Organising contractors, following up on works and keeping owners informed about progress, timing and next steps.

Managing insurance and claims

Lodging insurance claims for common property damage, coordinating damage assessments and handling annual policy renewals.

Who is involved in a strata scheme?

A strata scheme brings together several parties, each with a different role in how the property is managed. Understanding who does what makes it easier to know where to direct questions and how decisions get made.

Property owners

People who own an apartment, townhouse, office or other strata-titled property. Owners contribute to shared costs, vote on key matters and help shape decisions that affect the scheme.

Residents

People who live in the building and use shared spaces every day. Residents may be owners or tenants and are expected to follow the by-laws and use common property responsibly.

Committees

Elected owners who help make decisions and set priorities on behalf of the wider group. The committee does not manage every task alone, but it helps guide what needs to happen.

Strata Managers

The professional team appointed to help guide the process, keep records organised and carry out agreed actions. A strata manager supports the committee, but does not replace the committee’s decision-making role.

Strata, body corporate or owners corporation?

Across Australia, strata-titled properties are described in different ways depending on the state or territory: The terms change, but the practical questions are often the same: who pays, who decides, who maintains common property and who manages the records?

  • NSW often uses strata scheme and owners corporation.
  • Queensland uses body corporate.
  • Victoria uses owners corporation,
  • and the ACT uses unit titles and owners corporation.

Frequently asked questions about Strata management in New South Wales

Need help understanding your strata scheme?

Whether you are a first-time owner, a committee member or simply trying to understand how your building works, our role is to make strata easier to navigate.

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General advice disclaimer

The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal, financial or professional advice. Requirements, processes and obligations vary by state and territory and by individual scheme. Before making decisions, we recommend seeking independent advice specific to your scheme and jurisdiction.