Introduction

In place for over 50 years, NSW’s strata laws have been essential for the effective operation of more than 72,000 strata schemes throughout the State, and the wellbeing of approximately two million people.

Because of the importance of strata laws to the community, and the age of the existing legal framework, the NSW Government has spent several years completing a comprehensive review of the laws. In July 2015, the Government released two draft Bills that together propose approximately 90 different reforms to the current regime.

This e-brief provides an overview of key issues relating to the existing strata regime in NSW, along with a broad summary of the proposed reforms announced by the NSW Government.

One proposed reform in particular has attracted stakeholder comment, namely the proposed reduction in the number of owners required to approve the termination of a strata regime for sale or redevelopment purposes. This proposal is discussed in greater detail, along with stakeholder criticism and a comparative analysis of collective sale laws in other Australia and international jurisdictions.