Spotlight on strata laws

STRATA laws are failing to keep pace with Queensland’s fastest growing property sector, industry experts have warned, with 50 per cent of residents predicted to be living in an apartment or townhouse by 2030.

Updated regulations that came into effect in March modernised body corporate procedures, including allowing electronic voting and virtual attendance at meetings, as well as increasing protection for unit owners against potential building defects.

But Stratacare Australia head of strata management James Carlton said the law reform fell short of providing direction for body corporate committees and lot owners around pet ownership, smoking, parking in common areas and short-term rentals.

“While some of these changes are a great step forward, there was an opportunity to address many of the other serious issues facing strata communities that I think was missed,” Mr Carlton said.

“Issues that plague lot owners and building managers and strata managers on a daily basis have been set to the side.”

Consultation, often stretching months, was consequently the only way to resolve problems, for example a lot owner smoking on a balcony or

consistently leaving their car in a guest parking spot, Mr Carlton said.

It comes as demand for apartments surged, with unit values up 20 per cent or more in some Gold Coast suburbs, according to CoreLogic data.

Standout performers in the city’s apartment market were Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun and Bilinga along the southern oceanfront stretch.