What Do the New NSW Strata Laws Mean for Owners, Tenants & Agents?
Q: When do the new NSW strata laws start?
A: They take effect from 1 July 2025.
Q: Who will be affected by these changes?
A: They impact owners, tenants, landlords, developers, strata managers, property managers, real estate agents, and strata committees across apartments, townhouses, villas, duplexes, and community schemes in NSW.
Q: What are some of the main changes?
A:
- Easier approval for accessibility upgrades, assistance animals, and minor renovations.
- New duties for strata committees to act reasonably and justify renovation refusals within 3 months.
- Strata managing agents must now report to owners corporations every 6 months.
- Unfair terms in agency agreements and service contracts (like owners paying for agent liabilities) will be banned.
Q: Are there changes to fees and penalties?
A: Yes.
- Fees for non-owners inspecting records will rise to $60 for the first hour and $30 per half hour after — the first increase in over a decade.
- Developers face higher penalties, up to $11,000 plus $220 daily, for failing to hold meetings or provide documents on time.
Q: What about sustainability and embedded networks?
A:
- Embedded electricity contracts will now expire after 3 years or the first AGM.
- Owners can’t reject sustainability upgrades just because of appearance.
- These upgrades must be discussed in AGMs and included in funding plans.
Q: Why should property managers and agents care?
A: Even though most changes target strata managers, property managers and real estate agents still need to understand them. They must inform buyers, vendors, landlords, and tenants about new rules on embedded networks, sustainability plans, assistance animals, and accessibility upgrades.