In simple terms, strata management is the day-to-day administration of a shared property. It helps owners manage common property, collect levies, arrange repairs, keep records, organise meetings, manage insurance and follow strata laws.
Strata management is the professional administration of a strata property on behalf of the owners corporation, body corporate, strata company or community corporation. It helps owners manage common property, meetings, levies, records, repairs, insurance, budgets and day-to-day compliance. In simple terms, strata management keeps a shared building organised, financially managed and properly maintained. A strata manager does not usually own the building or make every decision alone. They are normally appointed by the owners to carry out agreed administrative duties and help the scheme operate smoothly.
Strata management means managing the shared responsibilities of a strata scheme. This usually includes administration, financial management, maintenance coordination, record keeping, insurance support and communication with owners and residents.
A strata property has private lots and shared common property. The private lot is owned by an individual owner, while common property is managed collectively by all owners. Strata management helps organise that shared responsibility.
In NSW, a strata managing agent licence is required to carry out owners corporation functions such as maintenance and repair, financial management, record keeping, insurance and conducting meetings.
A strata manager helps the owners corporation, body corporate or strata company administer the scheme. Their role can vary depending on the management agreement, state legislation and instructions from the owners.
In Victoria, an owners corporation manager is appointed to carry out functions in managing and administering common property, including maintenance and repairs, collecting fees, maintaining insurance and keeping financial records.
A strata manager is usually appointed by the owners corporation, body corporate, strata company or community corporation. The appointment is normally made through a formal decision at a meeting and set out in a management agreement or contract.
The owners remain responsible for major decisions. The strata manager helps carry out agreed tasks and provides administrative support.
In Western Australia, a strata manager is engaged by the strata company under a strata management contract to take on specified duties and powers for a fee.
No. Strata management and property management are different. For example, if a lift breaks down, the strata manager may help coordinate the common property repair. If a tenant stops paying rent inside one apartment, that is usually handled by the property manager for that individual landlord.
Common property management is a major part of strata management. It involves coordinating maintenance, repairs and administration for shared areas of the building or scheme.
Common property may include:
The exact boundary between private lot property and common property depends on the registered plan, scheme documents, by-laws and state or territory legislation.
Strata management helps owners avoid confusion, delays and poor communication when managing a shared property. It can help with:
Good strata management can improve building maintenance, financial planning, owner communication and compliance.
The owners corporation, body corporate or strata company makes the key decisions. A strata manager helps administer those decisions. In NSW, government guidance explains the roles of the owners corporation, strata committee, strata manager and building manager within strata schemes.
Strata management fees vary depending on the size of the building, number of lots, services required, location, complexity, meeting frequency and the manager's level of involvement.
A small strata scheme may need only basic administration, while a larger apartment building may require more support for maintenance, insurance, compliance, contractor coordination and owner communication.
Common fee factors include:
The cheapest manager is not always the best choice. Owners should compare service scope, responsiveness, experience, reporting quality and transparency before appointing a strata manager.
Strata management is important because shared buildings need organised administration. Without proper management, owners may face delayed repairs, poor record keeping, unpaid levies, insurance issues, unclear communication and disputes.
Effective strata management helps:
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