"While you'll find lots of useful information contained in the pages of this website it represents only a small selection of the massive amount available out there in cyberspace....in fact there's so much out there it can be a bit overwhelming.  On this page I've included some handy links to most of the important sites which will, hopefully, point you in the right direction for your search.  It's by no means an exhaustive list but they should provide you with most of what you need.  Good luck!"

HELPFUL WEBSITES

• NSW Land & Property Information Search Division
• NSW Department of Lands
• Registrar General's Directions - NSW Department of Lands
• NSW Office Of Fair Trading (OFT)
• NSW Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT)
• NSW Institute Of Strata Title Management (ISTM)
• Owners Corporation Network of Australia (OCN)
• Real Estate Institute Of NSW (REINSW)
• Real Estate Institute Of Australia (REIA)
• Publications & Booklets
• NSW Legislation

NSW LAND & PROPERTY INFORMATION SEARCH DIVISION
(now officially transferred to the NSW Department of Lands)

Access to the information using this facility is either free or attracts a nominal fee which varies depending on the type of search you are doing.  Some of the searches available include:

• Registered Strata plans
• Registered Community plans
• Number of lots created in a scheme
• Titles (including Common & Association Property Titles)
• Prior Titles
• Registered By-laws (which can be found on the Common & Association Property Title)
• Any registered dealings affecting a strata scheme
• Land values
• ...and much more

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NSW DEPARTMENT of LANDS
As mentioned above, the NSW Department of Lands has had the Land and Property Information Search Division incorporated into it making it an even larger source of information than ever before.  The only trouble is you will have some difficulty finding what you're looking for.  I couldn't work out a simple way to get to the sections on Strata Title and gave up in the end.  If anyone works it out, drop me an email, please.

As stated earlier, this site covers many, many topics including sections on Strata Title and associated information (such as Community Title, Neighbourhood schemes and so on) but finding them is the issue.  Even the search box failed to shed a lot of light on this problem.  I should contact the department and let them know - and one day I might just do that.

You may find it much better to go straight to the Registrar General's Directions site - mentioned immediately below - and start your search there.  At least it's much, much easier to navigate.

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REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DIRECTIONS - NSW Department of Lands
This division of the NSW Department of Lands is quite an intriguing one and comes up with some pleasant surprises.

The main index on the home page show 2 sections (amongst many others) with one for Strata Schemes and the other for Community Schemes and they both cover a lot of the main areas discussed on this website.

While the information seems to be aimed primarily at those considering developing strata and community schemes, it still provides some quite excellent explanations of many of the main topics.  There are also many of the official forms you will need in the running of a strata/community scheme so don't dismiss this valuable resource too early.  The terminology can get a little tricky but once you become familiar with it and the strange locations that some of these things appear under, it all becomes worthwhile.

Just have a look at the pull-down menus for each of the topics to see what I mean.....it's most definitely worth a look and is a terrific reference site.

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NSW OFFICE of FAIR TRADING (OFT)
The website of the NSW Office of Fair Trading (a division of the NSW Department of Commerce) covers many areas including a comprehensive section on all things Strata Title.  Go directly to the Strata Schemes section to find all sorts of forms, fact sheets, publications and legislative documents to look at, read in detail and download (if you wish) - and all for free too!  Neighbourhoods and Community Associations has a section of its own as well.

Involved in a dispute of some sort?  Well, there are a number of helpful website links covering the various areas of dispute resolution in the Strata Schemes section.  Included are detailed procedures lists, forms, contact points and so on.  Definitely worth a look.

Another section NOT to overlook is the About Us section.  This section should have been named About This Site as, yes, there's the usual 'about us' blurb BUT there's also quite a few very useful links in the section's left-hand navigational menu.  Especially look at the links on Legislation, Online services, Publications (go to the Property & tenancy section) and Forms.  All these contain something worthwhile pertaining to Strata Schemes.

This site gets a MUST VISIT rating for those serious about getting good, detailed, up-to-date information on Strata Title in NSW.

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NSW CONSUMER, TRADER and TENANCY TRIBUNAL (CTTT)
Many people know the CTTT as a division of the NSW Department of Commerce but trying to find the tribunal's website from the Dept of Commerce website is quite a challenge - even if you decide to use the search facility after stumbling around the plethora of menus and options available on the main home page with no luck.  I have to admit that, in the end, I gave up in frustration!  I'm sure it's there, I just couldn't find it quick enough.

The quickest way to find the tribunal's website is either via the links on this website or simply type cttt into google and you'll notice the website link appears at the top of the list - beautiful, easy and quick.

Once at the CTTT website you'll see it's much easier to find what you're after.  The menus are pretty clear and there don't appear to be many dead ends.  Considering you're probably at this site due to some unresolved dispute, the main areas of interest will mostly be under the Applications, Dispute Resolution and Divisions main menu tabs.  You'll only need the other sections if you happen to go further into the CTTT dispute resolution process.  These 3 are a great start and, overall, the website is pretty straightforward.

TIP - just remember to choose the appropriate division based on your type of scheme such as the Strata & Community Schemes division or the Commercial division or the Retirement Villages division and so on

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NSW INSTITUTE OF STRATA TITLE MANAGEMENT (ISTM)
The Institute is a professional organisation representing the Strata Title industry in New South Wales.

Its mission statement states:

"As the peak industry body in New South Wales, the Institute of Strata Title Management Ltd, is committed to maintain the highest professional and ethical standards in the operation of strata & community title properties for the benefit of the people living and working in them"

The Institute's website holds a vast amount of information that may prove useful in certain circumstances.  While it's primarily aimed at those working IN the industry it does contain information that may prove useful to others such as owners, tenants and executive committee members.

To access the site's information you need to be a Member and, currently, there are 5 different membership types:

• Associate of the Institute - for owners, students, anyone really
• Associate Chapter - for experienced strata managing agents
• Licensed Manager Chapter - for OFT licensed strata managing agents
• Supplier Chapter - for suppliers of goods & services to the strata sector
• Corporate membership - mainly for advertising and promotional purposes

Detailed eligibility requirements for each of these memberships can be found on the ISTM's Membership Categories page and the benefits of being a member are on the Benefits page.

It's not free to be a member of the ISTM but the cost for each of these memberships is difficult to determine unless you go through the purchasing cycle (for each category) - which I haven't done by the way.  I just wish there was a webpage that detailed exactly what it costs to join the various categories.  If there is such a page, it's not easy to find so please let me know if you DO find one.

The Hub - The Institute launched its Knowledge Hub service during 2009 however, it's not a free service and comes with a relatively modest yearly charge which will be inconsequential if the service is used effectively.  You'll find the knowledge hub section under the Consumer Info tab on the ISTM website's Home page.  There's even a PDF there you can download for more details and conditions.

2010 Update - I personally haven't experienced it first hand yet so, if anyone tries out the service please let me know what you think.

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OWNERS CORPORATION NETWORK of AUSTRALIA (OCN)
The OCN is quite an interesting entity due to its heavy 'owner' representation and, as such, could prove to be quite helpful to all strata dwellers.  However, membership to the OCN is not free and, at the time of writing (in early 2009), was $A100 for an individual and $A250 for a Corporate membership.  A number of conditions also apply to these memberships so make sure you have a look at Membership section on the site for more details.

The site's Home page outlines the purpose of the network and the first 2 paragraphs are reproduced here:

The Owners Corporation Network of Australia (OCN) is the peak body representing apartment owners, with most members drawn from Owners Corporations' Executive Committees (ECs) or concerned apartment owners around Australia. Through representation, lobbying, information-sharing and networking, we perform a vital service for our members that supports them in living in and/or investing in strata titled property.

We lobby for changes necessary to Government policy and legislation, and sit on many Government and industry boards and panels to present our views to those in power. The OCN gives members a voice at both State and Federal levels, and an opportunity to put forward their views on problems, solutions and the kind of future that, as apartment owners, we'd all like to see.

In 2009, the OCN tied in with the NSW Institute of Strata Management (ISTM) to provide strata owners with a HELPLINE for asking questions (and actually getting answers too).  This service alone could prove to be an extremely worthwhile service for everyone out there in strataland and, in my opinion, could easily justify the relatively small outlay to become a member.  I will be recommending it unless long term customer feedback from the service proves to be negative - which I doubt.

NOTE - While phone and email access is operational, as at early February 2009, the website access was not - and I'll let you know when it comes online

OCN HELPLINE

  Phone 1300 OCN HELP  or  1300 626 435
  Email  enquiries@ocn.org.au

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REAL ESTATE INSTITUTE of NSW (REINSW)
The Real Estate Institute of NSW site has a lot of interesting and worthwhile sections and articles on all sorts of topics (including strata) BUT.....in a lot of instances you're required to be a member to gain access those sections or articles.

There are a quite number of varying membership types available which seem to be aimed primarily at those working IN the industry in some sort of official capacity and the required fees reflect this.  So, the bottom-line is: they can be a bit pricey for the average person in the street unless you feel you would really benefit from the information they offer.

For more detailed information on the benefits, types and costs of membership have a look at Member Benefits & Services and Membership Categories & Fees.

While you can try and find some free items, it can get a little frustrating diving from section to section only to find you will be asked to log in before gaining access.  However, if there's lots of stuff that interests you it may be worthwhile joining up.  Only you can decide this.

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REAL ESTATE INSTITUTE of AUSTRALIA (REIA)
The Real Estate Institute of Australia site is a quick way to be directed to the Real Estate Institute office in your state.  Just click on the state you live in and you'll be taken to the appropriate website.

This site also has a lot of Australia-wide generic information freely available.  The quickest way to see what's there is to checkout the sitemap page which will list everything on the site.  The sitemap link is at the bottom of the left side main menu.

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Other useful information resources

PUBLICATIONS & BOOKLETS  (for NSW law)

• Buying into a Strata Scheme
• Common Property and the Lot
• Living in a Community Scheme
• Managing Agents and Caretakers
• Meetings of the Owners Corporation
• Responsibilities of the Owners Corporation
• Starting the Owners Corporation
• Strata and Community Disputes
• Strata and Community Mediation
• Strata Living
• Executive Committee of the Owners Corporation
• Strata Scheme Sinking Funds

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NSW LEGISLATION

• NSW Strata Schemes Management Act 1996
• NSW Strata Schemes ManagementRegulation 2005
• NSW Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment Act 2001
• NSW Strata Schemes (Freehold Development) Act 1973
• NSW Strata Schemes (Leasehold Development) Act 1986
• NSW Community Land Management Act 1989
• NSW Community Land Management Regulation 2007
• NSW Community Land Development Act 1989
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Strata Title Terms and Jargon

• Strata Terms and Jargon (to find out what everything means)

"Sometimes the websites to a few of the documents listed above don't always seem to be working so, if you ARE having trouble getting through, please be patient and try again later on during the day.   Please also be aware that some of the documents (due to their size) can take just a little while to load especially if your connection is not all that fast."

STRATA MANAGEMENT

Looking for a GOOD Strata Manager?  Then you might find it worthwhile giving the company below a call.  All Strata Managers are definitely NOT the same - contrary to popular 'misguided' opinion.

In every industry you get the good ones...and the not-so-good ones...and the downright terrible ones.   O'Connors is in the GOOD category.   Give them a call or drop them an email to discuss your scheme.   Alternatively click on the Experience the O'Connors Difference link at the bottom of this page to visit their website.

O'CONNORS STRATA & PROPERTY SPECIALISTS PTY LTD
Level 1,  24 Ross Street   Parramatta NSW 2150
Tel: (02) 9683 1811  Fax: (02) 9630 4279

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DISCLAIMER:  All information on this website is of a general nature and is intended as a guide only.  Readers should check all information obtained from this website for accuracy from other sources and seek professional legal advice before taking any action based on any information obtained from this website.  Information on this website should not be substituted for proper legal advice.  The owners of this website will not be held responsible for any action taken as a consequence of same.

EXTERNAL SOURCES:  The owners of this website do not make any warranty or representations regarding the information, products, services provided by or qualifications of any external sources listed on this website.  Readers should make their own appropriate enquiries regarding accuracy, qualifications, licences, etc.  The owners of this website will not be responsible or liable in any way for any representations made by any external sources listed on this website.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  This website deals with strata matters in NSW, Australia only.  Legislation varies in different states and territories and in other countries.  For information pertaining to places outside of NSW, Australia please refer to the appropriate legislation for your region.

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