Home Units - The Basics

The boundaries of any unit in a Strata Plan (NSW) or Unit Plan (ACT) are defined by a plan registered at the Land Titles Office. In addition to the actual unit, you may also have a garage, car parking space, storage area etc attached to your unit. It is important to determine the inclusions in your title.

Additionally you may be conferred other rights or imposed obligations by Rules made by the Body Corporate. These rules bind all owners.

Also remember that -

• the management of the Units Plan is the responsibility of the Body Corporate - it generally (but not always) repairs and maintains the outer surfaces of units and Common Property

• the Body Corporate generally insures the units and the Common Property. You will need to keep a very close eye on insurances because if they expire, then you may have to meet the losses

• in a General Meeting of owners, the Body Corporate fixes charges which you as an owner must pay to the Body Corporate to enable it to perform its functions.

• the Body Corporate is run by a Committee which is akin to a Board of Directors. The Committee is elected by all the owners in a development, but at the same time it means that 'politicking' enters home ownership. It may be that you do not like the way the Body Corporate is managed, but as you only have a limited say, your wishes may well be overridden. This can be very frustrating

• the management of the Units Plan may be delegated to a managing agency subject to the directions by the Committee

• the Body Corporate may impose Special Charges for you to pay for particular purposes. For example -
  • a leaking roof in a high rise apartment block may need to be replaced
  • the driveways may need to be re-concreted
  • external painting may need to be undertaken and this may mean a considerable expenses

• living very close to your neighbours means there is a greater likelyhood of disputes

• in NSW children cannot be prohibited from residential Unit Developments, but the ACT does not have similar provisions although the ACT Discrimination Act may provide protection in that regard

• animals are generally prohibited from units. The Body Corporate can permit animals and in NSW guide dogs for the blind and hearing disabled cannot be prohibited.