Strata Property

What is Common Property?

Common property comprises of the land in a strata scheme which is not contained in any current lot. The common property boundaries of each lot are generally formed by:

• the upper surface of the floor
• the under surface of the ceiling
• all external or boundary walls (including doors and windows)

The following is a checklist for common property:

• floor includes a ramp or stairway
• boundary wall includes any door, window or other structure within the wall and their working parts
• ceramic tiles originally attached to a common property surface (e.g. the floor or boundary wall)
• pipes in the common property or servicing more than one lot are common property
• electrical wiring in the common property or servicing more than one lot
• parquet and floor boards originally installed
• vermiculite ceilings, plaster ceilings and cornices
• magnesite finish on the floor
• balcony doors are usually common property if the strata plan was registered after 1 July 1974
• the slab dividing two storeys of the same lot, or one storey from an open space roof area or garden areas of a lot (e.g. a townhouse or villa), is usually common property if the strata plan was registered after 1 July 1974.

In accordance with the Strata Schemes Management Act 1996, an owners corporation has a duty to maintain and repair common property.

Recent legislative changes now require owners corporations to determine the likely expenditure on items of a capital nature over the next ten-year period. Therefore schemes must plan ahead for future strata property management, renewal and replacement.