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News & Article

When Lifestyle Fees Collide with the Law: Lessons from Dowling v Lifestyle Management 2 Pty Ltd [2025] VCAT 590

A recent decision of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has significant implications for residential park operators and their residents. In Dowling v Lifestyle Management 2 Pty Ltd [2025]…

Paying Owners Corporation Fees Are Not Optional: Clearing Up the Myths Around Owners Corporations’ Fees

Obligations Can an owner refuse to pay their owners corporation (OC) fees, charges or contributions because of building defects, poor management, or a dispute with their neighbours? Short answer: no….

victoria strata law common property repair levy

Culpability and Cost: Making Sense of Section 23A(3)(a)

Section 23A of the Owners Corporations Act 2006 (Vic) (the Act) represents a clear shift in how strata communities manage financial accountability, particularly in situations involving damage, insurance claims, or…

A New Era for Strata Contracts: Unfair Terms Now Banned in NSW

What if I told you that a single clause in your strata contract, one you’ve relied on for years, could now be void? From 1 July 2025, unfair contract terms…

The New BCCM Form 33: What It Means for Bodies Corporate in Queensland

Introduction The introduction of the new BCCM Form 33 in Queensland has raised urgent compliance questions for many body corporate managers. One of the biggest issues is how to handle…

DISCLOSURE OR EXPOSURE? NAVIGATING THE LEGAL TRAPS IN QUEENSLAND’S NEW SELLER DISCLOSURE REGIME

Stakeholders in the Queensland property market (such as owners, real estate agents, search agents, lawyers and conveyancers) have been frantically working out how to prepare for the new seller disclosure…

victoria strata law common property repair levy

Section 23A(3)(b): When Insurance Doesn’t Pay… But Someone Must

The other week, we explored section 23A(3)(a) of the Owners Corporations Act 2006 (Vic) (the Act), a mechanism for recouping insurance costs, like excess or premium increases, when a lot…

A Queensland strata apartment building during metal roof replacement with skylights being assessed for removal.

Q&A: During a roof replacement, can owners choose not to reinstall their common property skylight? Is the body corporate liable to replace them later if a future owner complains?

Question: During a roof replacement, can owners choose not to reinstall their common property skylight? Is the body corporate liable to replace them later if a future owner complains? We…

Strata council urgent decision meeting

Q&A Initiating action quickly when faced with an urgent issue

Question: What specific steps can a council legally take to initiate action quickly when faced with an urgent issue, and what are the potential risks of using these expedited procedures…

A Queensland strata apartment building during metal roof replacement with skylights being assessed for removal.

The Grove… finally cut down to size.

Back in 2021 Queenslanders were blessed with the decision in The Body Corporate for The Grove CTS9356 v Comerford [2019] QCATA 172. I say ‘blessed’, of course, with my tongue firmly in my…

NSW tenant keeping a pet under new residential tenancy rules 2025

Residential Tenancies Amendment (Protection of Personal Information) Bill 2025 introduced into NSW Parliament

The NSW government stays the course on rental law reforms and introduces a new set of amendments in the Residential Tenancies Amendment (Protection of Personal Information) Bill 2025 (the Amendment…

Queensland Court of Appeal CSLE decision

Open Sesame! … The doors are open to change your contribution schedule lot entitlements.

Last year we published an article regarding a QCAT decision by His Honour DJ McGill SC which reopened the door for applications to change contribution schedule lot entitlements (CSLEs) in…