As of July 1st this year, the NSW State Government has introduced new Strata Laws that have brought a range of benefits for owners of strata properties. The main changes centre around making the installation of accessibility infrastructure easier, the right to keep service animals, protecting owners against unfair contract terms and sustainability.

The changes in strata laws come after a government crackdown on Strata Management companies, and keep home owners and residents at the centre. They aim to ensure customer satisfaction and building trust between managers and committees by protecting owners from unfair contract terms.

These changes predominantly affect contracts entered into from July 1st, 2025, but the government has made it clear that any by-laws in existing agreements that conflict with the new terms will need to be updated. The most important of these – alongside the updates regarding accessibility and sustainability – are regarding fire safety. Fire regulations in any strata building must comply with the safety measures and be maintained to a minimum standard. From the 1st of July, the NSW Building Commission has indicated that some measures will need to be updated, especially in regard to Fire Safety orders, development applications both involving and not involving building work, and smoke alarm provisions.

Many of the changes to strata laws in NSW are being introduced on a rolling basis, with additional updates to come in late October and early April. Other updates starting from July include the automatic approval of minor renovations, as long as no significant refusal reason is given, updates to the required duties and conduct of strata committee members and the chairperson, improving repairs and maintenance on common property and the strengthening protections for owners when entering into utility contracts and exclusive supply networks for new strata schemes.

In late October additional changes will take effect. NSW Fair Trading will begin the use of new investigative powers to ensure owners corporations are meeting their legal duties when it comes to the maintenance and repair of common property. These new powers give Fair Trading a wider investigative reach to ask for documents pertaining to an inquiry as well as record people and premises. Further, if a breach is found Fair Trading can take action up to and including the initiation of prosecutive action. For this reason, it is more important than ever for strata committees to keep on top of repair and maintenance issues and communicate clearly and transparently with owners.

The core of the April changes are mostly surrounding the further strengthening of developer accountability. Prior to this update, the original owner of a scheme is required to prepare an initial maintenance schedule and provide it to the owners’ corporation with 14 days notice. From April 1st this schedule (known as an IMS) will need to be completed on a standardised form that ensures compliance with NSW Building Commission.

To learn more about the updates to NSW Strata Law and to see a full list of all changes, please visit the NSW Government housing and development website here.