The Owners Corporation Network of Australia says aspects of the $2 billion strata insurance market raise questions on ethics in the broking industry and the role and performance of the code. Its submission to the industry’s code review notes ABC reporting last year examined issues such as common ownership of underwriting agencies and brokers, and […]

A strata owners lobby group has proposed changes for the next update of the broking code of practice, including explicit guidance on conflicts of interest.  The Owners Corporation Network of Australia says aspects of the $2 billion strata insurance market raise questions on ethics in the broking industry and the role and performance of the […]

Property peak body, Strata Community Association (SCA) has expressed deep concern following confirmation that the federal government’s $2.3 billion energy pledge will not include the 5 million Australians living in strata-titled properties.    Read the article…………………………….

The Strata Community Association (SCA) has intensified calls for federal intervention as widespread building defects plague strata communities across Australia, leaving owners grappling with soaring repair costs and legal battles.    Read the article…………………………….

Consumer advocacy groups are calling on the New South Wales government to proceed with its proposed ban on strata insurance commissions, arguing the reform is essential to addressing conflicts of interest and restoring trust in the sector.  The Owners Corporation Network (OCN) and the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby Inc (ACIL) have jointly urged policymakers not […]

Q: I rent an apartment in Sydney and, like in many places I’ve rented before, I’m forbidden from hanging my wet clothes on my balcony because it’s “unsightly”. I’m a good bylaw-abiding resident – I air-dry items indoors – but it irks me that I can’t make use of a sunny afternoon to dry my […]

When rain first started gushing through Annouchka de Jong Heybroek’s faulty balcony door, she expected the issue would be quickly resolved. Instead, she’s been immersed in an ugly four-year dispute with her neighbours, strata manager and the apartment block’s developer over who is responsible for the common area defect.  Read the article…………………………….

Strata management profitability is falling and a sudden removal of insurance commissions could pose an “existential threat” and lead to worse outcomes for property owners, an industry CEO says. The NSW government is considering banning strata management commissions after last year asking Fair Trading to consult on the issue. Legislation has already taken effect to […]

Strata management businesses may face financial instability if proposed changes to insurance commission structures proceed, an industry figure has warned.  Bobby Lehane, CEO of the PICA Group, compared current pressures in the sector to the challenges that affected aged care providers in recent years.   Read the article…………………………….

The new legislation will ensure increased transparency and accountability for community members living in the more than 4,000 strata schemes across the Central Coast. Reforms will help owners repair and maintain common property, support the uptake of sustainability and accessibility infrastructure, and give owners more options to pay levies when facing financial stress.    Read the […]

A NSW real estate agent has avoided jail after she pocketed more than $1.4 million from strata trust accounts for use on her personal expenses.  Kylee Marie Lane transferred the funds from Parramatta’s Prestige Strata accounts to her personal account and used the money for renovations, living costs and medical treatments.   Read the article…………………………….

The Strata Community Association Western Australia (SCA WA) has released its 2025 Election Platform, encouraging political parties to commit to establishing a dedicated strata commissioner’s office and further legislative reforms.    Read the article…………………………….

Legislation improving the way strata communities operate passed the NSW Parliament last night. The reforms will help owners repair and maintain common property, support the uptake of sustainability and accessibility infrastructure, and give owners more options to pay levies when facing financial stress.    Read the article…………………………….

The National Insurance Brokers Association has welcomed the NSW government’s bid to build consumer confidence in the strata sector, including laws and penalties introduced this month.  Ministers are still considering a ban on strata commissions and have warned of fines of up to $110,000 for breaches of new transparency laws requiring detailed breakdowns of insurance […]

New laws requiring strata managers to disclose financial relationships and potential conflicts of interest to property owners have come into effect in NSW.  The reforms introduce stricter disclosure requirements, mandating that strata managers provide clear and timely information about their connections with suppliers and developers.   Read the article…………………………….

The NSW government has warned penalties of up to $110,000 will apply for breaches of strata transparency laws that took effect this month, as it continues to consider further action on commissions.  The laws, to be enforced by NSW Fair Trading, require detailed breakdowns of insurance quotes, including commissions and broker fees, and disclosure of […]

Greater accountability and transparency are at the heart of new strata laws now in effect which require strata managers in NSW to be upfront with owners about kickbacks and conflicts of interest.   Read the article…………………………….

With deaths by cardiac arrest on the rise, St John Ambulance ACT and Strata Community Association (SCA) have joined forces to promote the installation of life-saving devices to those living in strata title buildings.    Read the article…………………………….

Strata firm Netstrata is trying to overturn draft findings of an independent review into its business practices.  The company has been under investigation for charging clients excessive fees.  A summary of the final report is expected to be published in the coming weeks.    Read the article…………………………….

The Owners Corporation Network (OCN), the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL), and the Unit Owners Association Queensland (UOAQ) are all deeply concerned to hear that Netstrata may have sought to influence the outcome of the NSW Government’s investigation into alleged malpractice by Netstrata.   Read the article…………………………….

Some Darwin home owners are experiencing significant increases to their insurance premiums, despite not making claims.  Australian Competition Consumer Commission data shows both home and strata insurance in north Australia is “much more expensive” compared to the rest of the country.    Read the article…………………………….

On 20 November 2024, the Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 was introduced to Parliament.  The Bill proposes to implement several recommendations from the statutory review report prepared by the Department of Customer Service in November 2021.   Read the article…………………………….

NSW Strata and Property Services Commissioner John Minns has been cleared of misconduct after a three-month external review.  In August, an ABC Four Corners investigation revealed Mr Minns had failed to tell the public that his family trust held more than 550,000 shares in a major real estate and strata services company, worth around $780,000.  […]

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has proposed recommendations to improve outcomes for consumers in strata complexes, addressing challenges outlined in a policy paper.  These recommendations aim to mitigate rising strata insurance costs, which have been driven by inflationary pressures on repair and building supply costs, higher reinsurance costs due to significant insurance losses, and […]

The insurance industry has made 17 recommendations to help improve outcomes for consumers in strata complexes in a policy paper released by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) today.  The paper, Improving consumer outcomes for strata communities, details the state-of-play in the strata insurance market in Australia, including expert analysis on the complexities and risks […]

Queensland strata managers are handling millions of dollars without even a background check in what has been dubbed an “entirely unregulated” industry by its former commissioner.  Strata managers are responsible for a building’s finances, levies and insurance, as well as making sure the body corporate complies with legislation.    Read the article…………………………….

NSW Fair Trading is seeking new powers to enter any apartment building without a warrant if there is suspicion the owners corporation is not maintaining common property.  The regulator will also be able to enter private apartments to inspect defects if it obtains a search warrant.   Read the article…………………………….

The Minns Labor Government has introduced its third wave of strata reforms to the NSW Parliament today, continuing its work to confront the state’s housing challenges and address cost of living pressures.   Read the article…………………………….

NSW has released a strata living guide for residents that includes details of law changes taking effect in February to strengthen disclosure obligations.  The guide also provides practical information on running strata meetings, emergency repairs, approval for renovations, resolving disputes, and managing relations with the owners’ corporation and strata manager.   Read the article…………………………….

The State Government has today opened a public consultation on draft regulations to elevate professional knowledge and experience within Western Australia’s strata management industry.   Read the article…………………………….

An ABC investigation has found many strata management contracts disproportionately favour strata managers over apartment owners.  Lawyer Bronwyn Weir says strata contract templates promoted by a key industry group contain “appalling” clauses that guarantee commissions and waive managers’ liability.    Read the article…………………………….

Understanding how strata communities operate becomes easier from today, with the NSW Government launching a guide to support the 1.2 million residents living in strata properties such as apartments, townhouses, and duplexes.  The Strata Living Guide has been updated following consultation that has incorporated the community’s feedback and responses.    Read the article…………………………….

Buying a new high-rise apartment in Australia is a game of financial Russian Roulette.  The second half of last decade saw the greatest high-rise construction boom in Australia’s history. In recent years, hundreds of these buildings have been required to remove potentially combustible cladding, at a cost of millions of dollars.  There have also been structural […]

Major reform is needed to South Australia’s strata regulations to stop customers being ripped off with exorbitant fees for services that aren’t being delivered and provide better avenues for complaints.  Lawyers are calling on the state government to introduce a draft bill improving strata management in SA as more apartment owners seek legal support.   Read […]

Major reform is needed to South Australia’s strata regulations to stop customers being ripped off with exorbitant fees for services that aren’t being delivered and provide better avenues for complaints.  Lawyers are calling on the state government to introduce a draft bill improving strata management in SA as more apartment owners seek legal support.    Read […]

Recent scrutiny of “appalling conflicts” in strata insurance will affect all brokers, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority has warned today.  CEO and chief ombudsman David Locke told the National Insurance Brokers Association Convention this morning that the ABC’s recent Four Corners episode, The Strata Trap, will have significant consequences.   Read the article…………………………….

Buying into a bad strata complex could see you forking out a fortune for costs you weren’t expecting. So, how can you tell if the apartment of your dreams is nestled in a body corporate nightmare?   Read the article…………………………….

A Melbourne woman living in an apartment, who was terrified that the building would collapse, has been forced to stay as she watches the place crumble around her with repairs to the building estimated to cost a whopping $1.5 million.   Read the article…………………………….

Netstrata clients say the strata firm is finally revealing the cost of using its insurance arm.  Some apartment owners have been charged brokerage fees up to six times the industry standard.  The invoices are appearing online amid an investigation into the company’s business practices.    Read the article…………………………….