If you’ve ever lived in an apartment building, you’ve probably had at least one conversation that started with: “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?”

Maybe it was a sudden fire system inspection, a noisy facade repair, or a special levy you weren’t expecting. Whatever it was, it likely boiled down to one simple issue: communication. In strata communities, where dozens — sometimes hundreds — of people live side by side, communication isn’t just important. It’s everything.

Buying into a newly built apartment should come with peace of mind — everything is brand new, modern, and under warranty. But for many Owners Corporations (OCs) in Victoria, the first few years of managing a new development bring a very different reality:  building defects. From water ingress to fire safety non-compliance, the rise in defect-related disputes is becoming one of the most pressing issues for strata communities. Understanding how to identify, manage, and resolve defects early is critical for both preserving property value and protecting resident safety.

With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia, many apartment owners and Committees are asking the same question: Can we install EV chargers in our building? The answer is yes — but it’s not always simple.

In the world of property ownership, much attention is given to purchase prices, rental yields, and capital growth. However, one crucial component is often overlooked: the role of the Owners Corporation (OC) Manager. While the term may sound administrative, the impact of a proactive OC Manager can be the difference between a thriving community and a mismanaged building.