Property 101: Fair Trading contact centre prepares for strata law reform

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe has reminded owners, tenants, strata and property managers that new strata laws will come into effect next Wednesday, 30 November 2016.

“We’re less than one week out from a significant update to the existing strata laws. These changes will improve strata living for over two million people who own, live or manage strata schemes across the state,” he said.

Key changes include:

Making it easier for owners to complete cosmetic and minor renovations;

Making it easier to hold meetings and vote on decisions using modern forms of communication;

New options for addressing issues of parking, pets and smoke drift;

Ensuring tenants can play a valuable role in the life of their strata scheme;

A new collective sale process enabling owners to jointly sell and/or redevelop their strata scheme, which the NSW Land and Environment Court must ensure is ‘just and equitable’ for the owners.

Commissioner Stowe announced there will be a Strata Hotline ready to take consumer calls.

“With major updates made to the existing strata laws, our Contact Centre Officers who specialise in strata law have been familiarising themselves with the changes to ensure that they are equipped to provide the right assistance and advice,” said Mr Stowe.

Mr Stowe is urging people to become familiar with the new laws as they will impact everyone in the strata community.

In 2015, the Contact Centre received approximately 37,000 strata related enquiries from the public.

More than 33,000 enquiries have been received this year already.

To learn more about strata law reform and how it affects you, visit www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or call the Strata Hotline on 1800 214 023.