Owners vs. tenants: Understanding roles in a strata community

Please note this is a general guide only. Requirements vary between states and individual schemes. For information specific to your building, contact your strata or body corporate manager.

General responsibilities of owners

Owners in a strata community are usually required to:

• Contribute to strata levies
• Participate in meetings and decision-making
• Maintain their individual lot
• Ensure their use of their lot and the common property complies with legislation and the scheme’s by-laws (if applicable)

General responsibilities of tenants and other occupants

Tenants are not members of the owners corporation, but they still have important obligations, including:

• Complying with the scheme’s by-laws as part of their tenancy obligations
• Report repair and maintenance issues to their landlord or managing agent
• Ensure their use of their lot and the common property complies with legislation and the scheme’s by-laws (if applicable)

Scheme by-laws

Both owners and tenants must comply with the strata scheme’s by-laws. These rules cover matters such as noise, parking, pets, renovations and the use of common property.

Owners and landlords are responsible for ensuring tenants receive a copy of the by-laws before entering into a tenancy agreement. This helps set clear expectations around behaviour and use of shared spaces.

If a tenant breaches a by-law, it may be treated as a breach of their tenancy agreement. The owners corporation may take formal steps to address the issue, often involving the owner and their property manager.

Repairs and maintenance

The owners corporation is responsible for repairing and maintaining common property. Tenants should report all repair requests, including those relating to common property, to their landlord or managing agent. The managing agent or owner will then coordinate with strata where required.

For clarity on what is considered common property, contact your strata manager or refer to your scheme’s by–laws.

Disputes and how to raise them

Good communication helps strata communities function smoothly.

Owners generally communicate directly with the strata manager or strata committee.

Tenants should raise questions or concerns with their landlord or managing agent.

Most issues can be resolved quickly through a conversation or written request. If a matter continues, strata legislation provides clear processes for dispute resolution and by-law enforcement, supporting a cooperative and respectful community.

For more detailed information specific to your state or scheme, you can visit the links below.