In partnership with LookUpStrata, McCormacks answers frequently asked strata questions from NSW owners and strata committee members
For more FAQs, visit our Insights
A media company has offered to install monitors in our lobbies, to carry building notices, at no cost to the Owners Corporation, however there will be advertising displayed. Can the Strata Committee approve this and just inform owners, or must there be formal approval from Owners Corporation via a general meeting?
Answer: Between general meetings, the strata committee is the owners corporation and may make decisions on behalf of the owners corporation unless there is a specific matter in the Act that requires a general meeting.
Such items include adding to or enhancing the common property (s108), and licensing common property to a third party (s112) – both requiring a special resolution.
On a leased, temporary basis, the installation of the monitors is unlikely to be classed as an enhancement to the common property. Therefore, I would request a copy of the agreement that is to be put in place for the monitors and if there is a licensing of common property for the space the monitor will utilise then a special resolution may be required.
If neither of the above apply, then the strata committee is entitled to authorise the monitors in their own capacity.
August 2026 NSW LookUpStrata Magazine
Should strata committees plan maintenance instead of reacting? Is there a requirement for strata managers or committees to have a planned maintenance schedule?
Answer: There’s no legal requirement for a preventative maintenance schedule, but adopting one is widely considered best practice.
I think an annual walkaround with the owners, the strata committee and the strata manager is a really great idea so you can begin to put a list of items together.
Do any strata laws stop a lot owner from doing general gardening tasks on common property if the committee approves?
Answer: General pottering is fine with strata committee approval, but agree the scope upfront and check your voluntary workers insurance covers the activity.
We often get asked about gardening and community gardens in particular, which are a trend in strata. In our experience, owners who take pride in their building and want to help keep gardens and common areas looking their best are typically welcomed by owners and the committee.
With the strata committee’s approval, owners can attend to the gardens on the common property, but within reason. We suggest you agree the scope of what can and cannot be done with the strata committee: tidying leaves and edges, no problem. Planting or removing plants, and making significant changes to the garden, may constitute changes or enhancements to the common property that may require resolutions of the owners corporation. If you’d like to do larger changes, you’ll need to take a proposal to the committee for discussion and approval.
Your building will have a voluntary workers insurance policy, which is compulsory under section 164 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015.
This covers persons undertaking work on the common property without monetary reward if there is an accident or injury. This should provide your committee with a level of comfort, too.
In summary, general pottering in the garden is fine, but check in with your strata committee and strata managing agent first.
Our scheme is well- maintained and we all get on well, but we struggle to communicate that to owners. Is there any value in reporting on committee actions and achievements even when nothing major is going wrong?
Answer: Yes. Regularly communicating positive committee actions to owners builds trust, encourages engagement and pays off when things go wrong.
Always communicating the positives to owners is a really good initiatve. The committee can record actions in the strata committee meeting minutes. Place a note to owners at the top of the minutes saying this is what the strata committee has been doing on your behalf. If people see that things are actually happening and being done well, they might be encouraged to join the strata committee and make a contribution.
This will all help you in the long run, because when things do go a little bit wrong or something big happens, the owners will have a lot of faith in the strata committee that they are doing the right things.
We manage fewer buildings on purpose, giving your strata manager more time to understand your property, anticipate issues and respond when it matters. You’ll also have dedicated financial expertise and an experienced advisory team supporting your building.
Yes. We provide clear guidance throughout the process and coordinate a structured handover from your existing manager. Our focus is on maintaining continuity, securing your records and making the transition as straightforward as possible.
You can begin with a confidential discussion or request a structured benchmark of your building’s current performance. We’ll learn about your property, priorities and challenges before recommending the right approach.
No. We manage buildings of every size, from boutique apartment communities to large residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. Every property receives the same professional oversight, tailored to its particular needs.
No. We manage buildings of every size, from boutique apartment communities to large residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. Every property receives the same professional oversight, tailored to its particular needs.
Our ratio is less than one-third of the industry average. This allows for closer oversight, faster responses and more proactive management, helping committees address issues early and make better-informed decisions.
McCormacks has provided strata management across Sydney for more than 30 years. During that time, we’ve built long-standing relationships with committees and owners across some of the city’s most established and complex buildings.
It means we do more than administer day-to-day tasks. We give committees clear, considered guidance across governance, compliance, financial management and building performance—helping them make confident decisions with the long term in mind.
McCormacks grew from a law firm, giving our approach a strong foundation in professional discipline, governance and regulatory awareness. That background continues to shape the rigour, accountability and care we bring to every building.
You’ll work with an experienced strata manager supported by qualified finance professionals, administration specialists and a broader advisory team. This shared expertise gives your building consistent support across operational, financial and governance matters.
We maintain focused manager portfolios, defined service standards and direct oversight from an established senior team. This model is reflected in our long-standing client relationships, 99% retention rate and industry-leading customer satisfaction results.
Yes. We believe long-term relationships should be earned through performance, not maintained through restrictive contracts. Our approach combines premium, advisory-led service with clear terms and transparent value.
We manage boutique apartment buildings, medium-sized residential complexes, large mixed-use developments, commercial properties, community schemes and Building Management Committees. Our service is tailored to the size, structure and operational requirements of each property.
Our service covers financial management, levy administration, record keeping, insurance coordination, meeting support, compliance administration, bylaw management and ongoing committee guidance. Your proposal will clearly set out the services included for your building.
Yes. Your building will have a dedicated strata manager supported by finance, administration and customer service professionals. This team-based model provides continuity, specialist expertise and responsive support.
Our finance team supports budgeting, levy administration, invoice payments, reconciliations, financial reporting, BAS preparation, tax return preparation, audit coordination and investment management. Every building also benefits from oversight by a CPA- or CA-qualified finance professional.
Our pricing is designed to include the comprehensive services most buildings require as part of their day-to-day management. Each proposal provides a clear breakdown of the management fee, fixed disbursements and agreed inclusions, so your committee can budget with confidence.
No. McCormacks does not accept insurance commissions. This keeps our advice independent and ensures insurance decisions remain focused on the best interests of your building.
We can appoint and liaise with insurance brokers, arrange valuations, coordinate renewals and assist with routine claims. We keep committees informed throughout the process and provide clear administrative support.
We prepare for and attend annual general meetings, produce minutes and can act as chairperson where agreed. Outside formal meetings, we provide practical guidance to help committees understand their options and make informed decisions.
McCormacks CONNECT is a secure platform for owners, residents and committees. It brings maintenance requests, levy payments, notices, documents, community updates, applications, surveys and committee discussions together in one place.
Our legal foundations inform the professional discipline and regulatory awareness we bring to strata management. We provide practical strata guidance, but matters requiring formal legal advice may need to be referred to an appropriately qualified solicitor.
We consider your building’s size, complexity, facilities, governance structure and community priorities. From there, we shape the service around what your committee needs rather than imposing a standard, one-size-fits-all model.
We manage residential properties of every size, from boutique apartment buildings to large and complex communities. Our service is tailored to the building, its facilities and the level of support its committee requires.
Our service can include financial management, levy administration, maintenance coordination, insurance support, compliance, meetings, record keeping and communication with owners and residents. Your proposal will clearly define the services included for your building.
Your committee will have a dedicated strata manager supported by experienced finance and administration professionals. We provide clear information, practical recommendations and structured support so your committee can make decisions with confidence.
We help committees plan and coordinate maintenance, obtain appropriate proposals and oversee approved work. Our focus is on addressing immediate needs while helping the building plan for long-term maintenance and asset performance.
We provide timely communication through notices, building updates and McCormacks CONNECT. This gives owners and residents a clear way to stay informed, access important information and submit day-to-day requests.
Yes. We can review your current financial management, maintenance planning, governance, compliance and service delivery to identify where improvement may be possible. We’ll then recommend a practical approach based on your building’s priorities.
Early involvement helps establish appropriate budgets, governance, records, insurance arrangements and operational processes before owners take control — ensuring a seamless customer experience. We can work with the project team from the planning and pre-handover stages through to the first AGM and ongoing management. This shapes how defects are managed, levies will be structured, how the building will operate, and how facilities will be maintained, based on the building’s unique characteristics.
We can assist with scheme establishment, initial budgeting, levy settings, insurance coordination, operational planning, meeting preparation and the records required for a structured handover. The precise scope is tailored to the development.
We help ensure responsibilities, records, finances and operational arrangements are clearly documented before control passes to owners. We also guide the first committee so its members understand the scheme’s priorities and their responsibilities.
Yes. We can prepare a considered initial budget based on the building’s facilities, services, anticipated expenditure and operational requirements. The aim is to give owners a realistic and transparent view of expected costs from the outset.
We work collaboratively with developers, builders and consultants while keeping the scheme’s long-term operation and compliance requirements in view. Our role is to help establish a structure that supports the building and its future owners beyond settlement.
Yes. Continuing after handover provides operational continuity and allows the knowledge developed during setup to support the new committee and owners. Any ongoing appointment remains subject to the scheme’s required approval processes.
A Building Management Committee, or BMC, coordinates the management of facilities and services shared by different parts of a development. These may include residential, commercial, retail, hotel or other components with separate ownership and operational interests.
BMC management can include budgeting, cost allocation, financial reporting, contractor coordination, maintenance, compliance, meetings and communication between participating stakeholders. The service is tailored to the development’s management statement and shared facilities.
We create clear processes for communication, reporting and decision-making. By keeping responsibilities, costs and agreed actions visible, we help stakeholders work through competing priorities constructively.
We administer budgets and expenditure according to the development’s governing arrangements and agreed cost-allocation structure. Regular reporting gives stakeholders clear visibility over shared income, expenses and financial commitments.
We can coordinate the management of shared plant, security, concierge services, car parks, loading areas, access systems and other common infrastructure. The precise responsibilities depend on the structure and requirements of the development.
Yes. We have experience across developments combining residential, commercial, retail, hospitality and shared operational environments. Our focus is on simplifying complexity and keeping governance, finances and day-to-day operations clear.
Fees are tailored to your building’s size, complexity, facilities, compliance requirements and service needs. We assess these factors before providing a clear proposal and breakdown of inclusions.
Our agreed services can include financial management, levy administration, invoice processing, meeting support, record keeping, insurance coordination, compliance administration and committee guidance. Your proposal will clearly identify the inclusions relevant to your building.
Disbursements for carrying out the agreed services are covered through the fixed disbursement arrangement described in your proposal. We recommend retaining this wording only once the distinction between the management fee and fixed disbursement fee has been made clear elsewhere on the page.
If your committee requests work outside the agreed scope, any additional cost should be explained before that work proceeds. This gives the committee the opportunity to understand and approve the cost.
No. McCormacks does not accept insurance commissions. This keeps our approach independent and ensures insurance decisions are focused on the interests of your building.
Contact our team with some initial information about your building, facilities and current priorities. We’ll discuss your requirements before preparing a clear proposal suited to the property.
