Find answers to common questions about Owners Corporations in Victoria, including levies, maintenance responsibilities, insurance, certificates, compliance obligations, and day-to-day strata management.
- What is an Owners Corporation?
An Owners Corporation (previously called a Body Corporate in Victoria) is automatically created when a plan of subdivision includes shared or common property. Common property may include driveways, gardens, foyers, stairwells, lifts, or car parks. All lot owners automatically become members and share in the responsibility of managing and maintaining these areas.
- What is an Owners Corporation Certificate?
An Owners Corporation Certificate is a legal document required when buying or selling a property within an Owners Corporation. It contains details about fees and levies, insurance, budgets, rules, and any disputes. Conveyancers and solicitors rely on the certificate to provide accurate information to purchasers. URBAN prepares these certificates promptly to ensure smooth and compliant property transactions.
- How can I pay my Owners Corporation levies?
Levies can usually be paid by BPAY, DEFT, direct deposit, or another method listed on your levy notice. URBAN provides clear payment instructions with each notice. If you have difficulty paying or fall behind, contact us quickly so we can assist and help you avoid penalty interest or debt recovery action.
- What should I do before buying into an Owners Corporation?
Before purchasing, you should:
- Request an Owners Corporation Certificate (part of the Section 32 vendor statement).
- Review the rules of the Owners Corporation to understand your rights and responsibilities.
- Check levy amounts, budgets, and insurance cover.
If you’re unsure, URBAN can explain the documents so you know exactly what you’re buying into.
- Who is responsible for strata maintenance and repairs?
The Owners Corporation is responsible for maintaining and repairing common property such as foyers, gardens, lifts, stairwells, and driveways. Individual owners are responsible for their private lots. In very small subdivisions (two-lot or some inactive Owners Corporations), owners may agree informally on maintenance instead of appointing a manager. URBAN ensures all maintenance is properly arranged, compliant, and carried out by qualified contractors.
- What does the Owners Corporation committee do?
Committees represent lot owners in larger Owners Corporations (with more than 12 lots). They are elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and make decisions about budgets, levies, maintenance, and rules. Smaller Owners Corporations may not require a committee, but URBAN still provides professional support to ensure obligations are met.
- What is the role of an Owners Corporation manager?
A professional Owners Corporation manager like URBAN handles the administration, finances, maintenance, and compliance obligations of the Owners Corporation. This includes organising meetings, collecting levies, arranging insurance, coordinating contractors, and ensuring compliance with the Owners Corporation Act 2006. While some small or inactive Owners Corporations self-manage, most appoint a manager to reduce risk and ensure smooth operations.
- What happens if owners don’t pay their levies?
If levies aren’t paid, the Owners Corporation may apply penalty interest (at the rate set by law) and begin debt recovery to protect the financial position of the community. URBAN manages this process fairly and transparently, while also offering support for owners facing genuine hardship.
- What rules apply to my Owners Corporation?
By default, all Owners Corporations in Victoria follow the Model Rules of Owners Corporations 2018, unless they have formally registered their own rules with Land Use Victoria. These rules cover matters such as noise, parking, use of common property, and safety. URBAN provides copies of your Owners Corporation’s rules and assists with their enforcement where required.
