When you live in a residential building or other strata property, there can be some confusion around repair work and maintenance.
From responsibility to expectation, if you are in doubt, make sure to reach out to the BIM Remedial team today.
However, to give you an overview of everything you need to know about strata repairs as a resident, we’ve put together this handy guide.
What do you need to know about strata repairs as a resident?
For residents, knowing who needs to fix what, how to request required repairs, and what to do if nothing happens can save time, stress, and hassle.
But importantly, it also enables you to exercise your rights, protect your own safety, and ensure your financial interests are protected.
Your first port of call for all things strata repairs in New South Wales is undoubtedly the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015.
The Act governs responsibility and in the case of strata management puts a clear legal obligation on the owners corporation. This includes:
- Property maintenance
- Property repairs
- Property compliance
As a lot owner, i.e., a resident, it is your responsibility to maintain and repair your individual residency. In other words, if it is in your lot, it is your responsibility.
Other, potentially relevant New South Wales regulations that can impact strata repairs, include:
- Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW)
- Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020 (NSW)
- Fair Trading’s Common Property Repairs and Maintenance Compliance and Enforcement Policy (2025)
What do we mean by strata repairs?
Strata repairs refers to:
- Any maintenance work
- Rectification of building deficiencies
- Remedial and repair work
This work can be in relation to keeping the building safe, but it also includes all forms of regulatory compliance and weatherproofing.
For example, if your building has a leaking roof or a cracking façade, this would be classified as strata repairs.
Why is it important for strata repairs to be carried out?
Poorly managed repairs or ignored issues with a building can escalate into larger, more expensive and even safety compromising problems.
This is not just about loss of amenity, it can be dangerous and create insurance complications and legal disputes between owners and the strata’s owners corporation.
What does the Act require?
Legally, your owners corporation must repair common property in a timely manner.
Delaying can cause costs to increase and damage to worsen, which could subject them to legal enforcement action.
Certified, experienced remedial builders, like our team here at BIM Remedial, then step in to help investigate the problem, propose a solution and ensure compliant rectification.
What responsibilities are the owners corporation’s or the residents’?
Under NSW law, responsibility for building repairs varies depending on the aspect of the building in question.
Common property falls under the responsibility of the owners corporation.
Private property is the individual resident’s responsibility.
What does the owners corporation usually have to repair?
In most strata schemes, the owners corporation (sometimes referred to as a body corporate) must maintain and repair common property such as:
- External walls
- Building façades
- Wall cladding and waterproofing membranes
- Structural elements
- Roofs
- Gutters and downpipes
- Stormwater systems
- Common plumbing and drainage
- Common electrical services, including wiring and lighting
- Switchboards
- Balconies
- Balustrades
- External doors/windows in common areas
- Elevators
- Fire stairwell
- Lobbies
- Carparks and driveways
- Foyers
- Common recreational facilities
To what extent do owners corporations need to keep common property?
The Act stipulates that common areas must be properly maintained and kept in a state of good and serviceable repair.
What do residents usually have to repair?
Residents, i.e., individual lot owners, are usually responsible for anything within the boundaries of their personal residency. This can include:
- Internal paint
- Internal floor coverings
- Non-structural internal walls
- Appliances
- Personal fixtures and lighting
- Joinery
- Internal plumbing fixtures
- Leaks that do not originate from common property
Are residents always responsible for these remedial repairs?
Not necessarily. Some strata plans or by-laws can delegate responsibility in another way.
It is important that you:
- Check the registered strata plan
- Review any common property memorandum
- Ask the strata manager or committee
If in doubt, it’s best to be safe by contacting BIM Remedial for custom advice.
How can residents ensure strata repairs are carried out?
Always notify your owners corporation or strata manager as soon as possible after noticing the repair work needed on common property.
It is best if requests are put in writing, include ample information and details, and include photographic proof.
Always keep a record of all communication, including dates, responses and meeting minutes referencing the issue, so you can hold your owners corporation accountable.
If the situation is urgent or safety-compromising, this should be raised clearly so that the owners corporation can uphold their obligation to take immediate steps to arrange repairs.
Once you have requested the repair, as a resident it is within your rights to:
- Request scope of works, estimated timeline and staging plan
- Request notice periods for noisy or disruptive works
- Request information regarding facility and area restrictions
- Request the contact details for the remedial builder’s site supervisor or project manager
What should residents do if strata repairs are delayed, ignored or disputed?
Even with clear legal duties, disputes when it comes to responsibility, cost or urgency are not uncommon.
If your repair request is repeatedly ignored or not being actioned:
- Re-send your request in writing and ask the strata manager or committee
- Consider bringing in an independent expert report
- Use NSW Fair Trading’s dispute resolution and complaint channels for more formal procedures of strata matters
Frequently Asked Questions about Strata Repairs for residents
Who is responsible for repairing a leaking balcony?
Responsibility for balcony repairs will depend on the particulars of the issues but membranes and waterproofing are generally common property under the strata plan.
We recommend an expert inspection from our team here at BIM Remedial for custom advice.
What counts as urgent strata repairs?
Any issues that threaten safety, restrict access or can cause significant property damage are typically considered urgent.
This can include unstable façades, major leaks, exposed live wiring or serious structural cracking.
What happens if you suffer financial loss because the owners corporation does not repair common property?
Residents and lot owners may be able to claim compensation if they suffer loss due to the owners corporation’s failure to repair common property in a timely manner.
Always seek legal advice before commencing any claim, and ensure you have ample evidence of the defect, loss and communication with your owners corporation.
Why turn to BIM Remedial for your strata repair work?
Strata building remedial work is highly specialised. Especially due to the complex regulations and legalities.
Trusted remedial builders ensure:
- Detailed condition assessments
- Tailored investigations and solutions
- End-to-end project management
- Practical long-term solutions
- Certified repair work
BIM Remedial has been delivering end-to-end strata building repair work across Sydney for decades. For peace of mind strata repairs that ensure everyone is safe, undisturbed and legally protected, make sure to give our team a call today.
