Useful Links & Information
Definitions
Aggregate Unit Entitlement
The total of all the individual lot unit entitlements in a strata scheme.
Adjudicator
Appointed under the Strata Schemes Management Act 1996, to assist in settling disputes and other matters as determined by the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal.
AGM
Annual General Meeting (held by the Owners Corporation).
BMC
Building Management Committee. Formed to enable multiple strata plans to occupy a single building space and share common facilities. How the various entities interact in these schemes is set out in a document called the Strata Management Statement.
By-laws
A set of rules for all owners and occupants of a strata or community scheme. These rules are designed for the control, management, use and enjoyment of common property and individual lots.
CAPITAL WORKSFund
Levies paid into this fund cover the costs of major future capital expenses, which may include painting, flooring and roofing.
Certificate Of Title
A title deed issued by Land and Property Information NSW to prove ownership of a lot. The owners corporation is also issued with a title deed for the common property.
Common Property
Areas of a strata building or community which do not form part of a lot and that every occupier or owner shares. Common property may include gardens, fences, driveways and visitor parking.
Company Nominee
A person, authorised by a company in writing, to vote at meetings on the company’s behalf.
Covenant Chargee
A person who holds an agreement over a property which imposes certain obligations.
Exclusive Use
A special right granted to an owner to use a part of the common property, at the exclusion of other lot owners.
Strata CommitteE - Formally known as the Executive Committee
A group of between 1 to 9 owners or owner’s nominees elected at each Annual General Meeting, who are responsible for assisting in the day to day administration of the strata scheme (subject to the restrictions imposed by the Owners Corporation, by-laws or Strata Schemes Management Act).
Initial Period
Upon registration of the strata plan, the owners corporation is formed and the scheme enters into the initial period. The scheme continues in the initial period and expires on the day when the sum of lot owners, other than the original owner, exceed one-third of the aggregate unit entitlements.
Levy
An amount of money set by the owners corporation according to unit entitlements, which has to be paid by lot owners. Levies contribute to the operating and long term expenses of the strata scheme.
Lot
A portion of a property that can be separately owned and sold. In a residential strata scheme, a lot is usually an apartment or townhouse. In some cases, garages, laundries, marinas, etc. can also form part of a lot.
Lot Property
Lot space within a strata scheme is commonly defined as; “the cubic air-space contained within the inner surface of the boundary walls, under surface of the ceiling and upper surface of the floor”.
Mortgagee
A person or company who lent money to a person to buy a property. The property is mortgaged to the mortgagee in case the person who borrowed the money does not repay it.
General Resolution
Most matters considered at general meetings require an ordinary resolution. This means that at least half of those present (either in person or by proxy) who are entitled to vote must vote in favour of the motion.
Owner
A person(s) or company that buys a lot and whose name is shown on the Register at Land and Property Information NSW and is recorded on the strata roll.
Owners Corporation
The legal entity consisting of all the owners of the lots in a strata scheme. It is formed when a strata plan is registered. Each lot owner is automatically part of the Owners Corporation and has a right to take part in the decision making. Formerly known as the “Body Corporate”.
Poll Vote
A method of voting at a general meeting, where each owner’s vote has a value based on the lot’s unit entitlement. (Note: Units with larger entitlements have a greater voting power than they would if a vote was based simply on a show of hands).
Proxy FORM
A person appointed, in WRITING, by an owner or mortgagee to attend a meeting and vote on their behalf.
Quorum
Before any motion can be voted upon at a meeting, a quorum must exist, i.e.
• 25% of those entitled to vote OR
• owner/owners holding 25% or more of the total unit entitlements
Special Levy
A lump sum contribution paid by the owners to cover unexpected or unplanned expenses.
Special Resolution
A resolution passed at a general meeting of the owners corporation against which no more than one-quarter of votes (calculated by unit entitlements) is cast.
Strata Manager
A licensed, professional agent appointed by the Owners Corporation to manage the affairs of a strata scheme.
Strata Plan
This is a plan that divides the land and buildings of a strata scheme into lots and common property.
Strata Roll
The register of the owners of every lot in a Strata Scheme. It also includes the names of other interested parties such as any mortgagees, covenant chargees or lessees.
Strata Scheme
A system of multiple ownership of a building. Each owner owns a ‘lot’, but also share ownership of any common property. The multiple owners combine to form a legal entity, known as the Owners Corporation.
Tribunal
Also known as the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT) or the Nsw Civil Administrative Decisions Tribunal (NCAT).
Unanimous Resolution
A resolution passed at a general meeting of the owners corporation against which no vote is cast.
Unit Entitlement
Each lot has a comparative value based on a number of factors, such as the size of the lot. The unit entitlement of each lot is shown on the strata plan and is used to calculate each owner’s contributions for levies and also voting “power”.
