A LANDMARK SHIFT – BODIES CORPORATE MAY SUE FOR PUBLIC NUISANCE On 23 March 2026, a significant development occurred in Queensland with the adjudication of Palmhurst [2026] QBCCMCmr 88. For the first time, an adjudicator recognised that sustained antisocial behaviour within a community titles scheme could amount to public nuisance, thereby enabling a body corporate to take […]

GOOD PLANS, POOR FOLLOW-THROUGH PART 2 Leading on from Part 1 – Small Issues, Big Costs. Most strata schemes understand the idea behind a sinking fund. It’s meant to help a building plan ahead, spread costs over time and avoid those uncomfortable moments when something expensive suddenly needs fixing. On paper, it’s a great idea. […]

BUILDING HARMONY IN BODY CORPORATE COMMUNITIES Understanding Your Body Corporate Community Living in a body corporate community is about more than just shared spaces—it’s about being part of a community, which by Macquarie Dictionary definition is  “a group of people living in the same locality, sharing common interests, or having a common character.” This shared […]

FINAL ACCC INSURANCE MONITORING REPORT SIGNALS POSITIVE IMPACT FOR QUEENSLAND STRATA  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released its fifth and final monitoring report on the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool, concluding its formal role in monitoring the scheme’s impact. The Australian Government established the cyclone reinsurance pool in 2022 to reduce the cost of […]

DISPUTE MANAGEMENT – NEVER WRESTLE WITH PIGS There’s an old saying: “Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty – and the pig likes it.” In strata, some disputes feel exactly like that. A committee finds itself drawn into endless arguments with an owner (or another committee member) who seems more interested in “winning” […]

WHY INSURANCE CLAIMS GET DENIED — AND WHAT SMART COMMITTEES DO DIFFERENTLY Most strata committees assume insurance is there for “when something goes wrong.” And it is — as long as the insurer agrees the damage was sudden, unexpected, and not the result of something that had been brewing for years. That distinction is where […]

COMMITTEE MEMBER REIMBURSEMENT PART 2 Our prior article detailed the limitations on what bodies corporate can use their funds for expenditure on – due to bodies corporate being creatures of statute. That article introduced the issue of committee members seeking reimbursement from the body corporate for gifts that they may have decided to give at […]

THE LIMITS OF STRATA BY-LAW BASED GOVERNANCE Strata systems are designed around governance. This article examines one of the structural limits of that governance model: the point at which by-laws begin replacing the judgment they were originally intended to support. They assume that owners, committees, managers, occupiers and others will continually participate in decisions about […]

UNDERSTANDING MOISTURE INTRUSION AND HIDDEN WATER DAMAGE PATHWAYS Moisture is one of the most common issues affecting community‑titled buildings. Because multi‑unit structures share walls, ceilings and services, even a small amount of water can travel further than expected. When moisture moves unnoticed, it can affect multiple lots, compromise building materials and create conditions that support […]

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX INCREASES AND BODY CORPORATE BUDGETING EXPLAINED Last year, you could buy a loaf of bread for $2.50. Today, it’s $2.80. Multiply that small change across groceries, fuel, rent, and electricity, and you start to feel the squeeze. Economists have a way of measuring this shift in the cost of living; it’s called the Consumer […]

INVESTMENT PROPERTY TAX DEPRECIATION FAQ’S Are you maximising the tax deductions available through your investment property? With 30 June fast approaching, it comes that time of year again where we are all starting to tidy up our tax affairs and of course hoping to reduce our tax payable or even increase our tax refund! If […]

IS YOUR APARTMENT BUILDINGS EXHAUST VENTILATION SYSTEM COMPLIANT? The release of AS 1668.2:2024 has shifted the focus beyond basic airflow toward indoor air quality, air moisture control, and system performance. Revisions to AS1668.2 recognises that different areas within a building present different levels of risk. Apartment wet areas such as bathrooms, ensuites, toilets and laundries require increased […]