Canberra Owners Corporation vs strata management act

Canberra owners corporation vs strata management act is a tussle between the two systems that manage apartments and townhouses in the Australian Capital Territory.

Owner's corporations were created in the early 1990s, as a response to the Strata Titles Act 1985. The Strata Titles Act 1985 allowed for the subdivision of land into individually titled lots, which could then be sold and developed. However, it did not provide any mechanism for the management of these properties. This was particularly problematic in larger developments, where the lot owners had little incentive to cooperate with each other or contribute to the upkeep of common areas.

The Canberra Owners Corporation Act 1995 was enacted to address these issues. It created owner's corporations as legal entities, which could manage the shared property on behalf of the lot owners. The Act also gave owner's corporations the power to levy charges on lot owners and to enforce the payment of these charges.

The Strata Management Act 1996 was enacted in response to the Canberra Owners Corporation Act 1995. It created strata management companies as legal entities, which could manage the shared property on behalf of the lot owners. The Act also gave strata management companies the power to levy charges on lot owners and to enforce the payment of these charges.


Is an owners corporation a company?

No, an owner's corporation is not a company. It is a legal entity established by the Strata Titles Act 1996 for the purpose of managing a strata scheme. In this article, we learn more about owner's corporations and why they are important.


What is the purpose of an owners corporation?

The purpose of an owner's corporation is to manage the shared property on behalf of the lot owners. The Act gives owner's corporations the power to levy charges on lot owners and to enforce the payment of these charges.


Does the Act give the body corporate the power to access units for maintenance and repairs?

Yes. The Act gives the Owner's corporation the power to enter into a contract with a strata manager for the provision of strata management services. The contract must specify the nature and scope of the services to be provided, and the terms and conditions on which they are to be provided.

The contract may also give the strata manager the power to enter into contracts with third parties for the provision of services to the Owner's corporation.


What is the difference between body corporate and strata?

The difference between body corporate and strata is that strata is a type of property development, while body corporate is a type of legal entity. Strata schemes are created by developers who subdivide land into individually titled lots, which can then be sold and developed. Body corporates are legal entities established by the Strata Titles Act 1996 for the purpose of managing a strata scheme. In this article, we learn more about the difference between body corporates and strata.


What is the difference between an owner's corporation and a strata management company?

The difference between an owner's corporation and a strata management company is that an owner's corporation is a legal entity established by the Strata Titles Act 1996 for the purpose of managing a strata scheme, while a strata management company is a type of business that provides strata management services. In this article, we learn more about the difference between an owner's corporation and a strata management company.

Another difference between an owner's corporation and a strata management company is that an owner's corporation is elected by the lot owners, whereas a strata management company is appointed by the developer or body corporate.

The two Acts are very similar in their provisions, but there are some important differences. The most significant difference is that the Canberra Owners Corporation Act 1995 applies to properties in the Australian Capital Territory, while the Strata Management Act 1996 applies to properties in all states and territories.

In addition, an owner's corporation must comply with the provisions of the Act, whereas a strata management company is not subject to the Act.


Body corporate vs Owner's corporation

The key difference between a body corporate and an owner's corporation is that a body corporate is regulated by the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (BCCM Act), while an owner's corporation is regulated by the Owners Corporation Act 1995 (OCA). the key difference is that a body corporate must comply with the BCCM Act, whereas an owner's corporation is not subject to the BCCM Act. The key difference between a strata management company and an owners corporation is that a strata management company is regulated by the Strata Management Companies Act 2013 (SMCA), while an owners corporation is regulated by the Owners Corporation Act 1995 (OCA). The key difference is that a strata management company must comply with the SMCA, whereas an owner's corporation is not subject to the SMCA.


What is the responsibility of an owners corporation?

The responsibilities of an owner's corporation include:

- Maintaining the common property in a good condition

- Repairing and maintaining the common property

- Ensuring that the common property is insured

- levying and collecting charges from lot owners

- Paying for the costs of strata management services

- Providing information to lot owners about the operation of the strata scheme

- Holding annual general meetings

- Electing a strata committee


What are the key benefits of an owners corporation?

The main benefit of an owner's corporation is that it provides a mechanism for the management of the shared property. This is particularly important in larger developments, where the lot owners have little incentive to cooperate with each other or contribute to the upkeep of common areas.

Another benefit of an owner's corporation is that it gives the body corporate the power to levy charges on lot owners and to enforce the payment of these charges. This ensures that the shared property is maintained and that the costs of doing so are shared among all of the owners.


What are the key disadvantages of an owners corporation?

The main disadvantage of an owner's corporation is that it can be time-consuming and expensive to set up and run. In addition, lot owners may be reluctant to contribute to the upkeep of common areas if they do not feel that they will benefit from doing so.


Owners corporation rules act

The rules in the Owners Corporation Act 1995 (the Act) apply to all strata schemes in the Australian Capital Territory (the Territory). The rules are made by the Body Corporate and Community Management Ministerial Rules 2005.

The rules set out:

- how an owners corporation is to be constituted;

- the powers and duties of an owners corporation;

- the rights and obligations of owners and occupiers of lots in a strata scheme;

- the procedures to be followed by an owners corporation; and

- the disclosure requirements that apply to an owners corporation.

The rules are designed to promote the effective management of strata schemes and to protect the interests of lot owners and occupiers.



In conclusion, the key difference between a body corporate and an owner's corporation is that a body corporate is regulated by the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (BCCM Act), while an owner's corporation is regulated by the Owners Corporation Act 1995 (OCA). The key difference between a strata management company and an owners corporation is that a strata management company is regulated by the Strata Management Companies Act 2013 (SMCA), while an owners corporation is regulated by the Owners Corporation Act 1995 (OCA). The key difference is that a strata management company must comply with the SMCA, whereas an owner's corporation is not subject to the SMCA.