StrataChecks Blog
Practical guides for NSW property buyers navigating strata reports, levies, and building due diligence.
Strata Glossary: 40+ NSW Strata Terms Explained in Plain English
A plain-English glossary of every strata term you need to know as an apartment buyer or owner in NSW. From admin fund to unit entitlement, every definition in one place.
StrataChecks vs Reading a Strata Report Yourself: Which Is Better?
An honest comparison of DIY strata report reading versus using StrataChecks. When to do it yourself, when AI analysis helps, and the most cost-effective approach for NSW property buyers.
A 2-Bedroom Apartment in Central Sydney for $229,000. What’s the Catch?
Inside UniLodge on Broadway: a heritage Grace Brothers building converted to 586 student apartments, $1M in legal fees, levies that jumped from $1K to $11K per quarter, and units trading at 79% below the suburb median.
Do Strata Disputes Actually Affect Property Prices?
We cross-referenced 4.4 million NSW property sales with 2,004 tribunal decisions. The average effect is tiny. But the real story is what happens at the extremes.
5 NSW Strata Law Changes That Took Effect on 1 April 2026
Mandatory 10-year capital works plans, standardised developer maintenance schedules, independent surveyor certification, expanded strata certificates, and sustainability planning. Here is what changed on 1 April 2026.
The Buildings That Can't Stay Out of Court
36% of NSW strata buildings that go to tribunal come back for more. We analysed 1,986 decisions to find the repeat offenders — and what buyers should watch for.
NSW Strata Disputes Have Quadrupled Since 2017
From 66 cases in 2017 to 295 in 2025. Strata disputes in NSW are accelerating faster than the apartment supply. We analysed the data to understand why.
The Star Casino Specified Non-Combustible Cladding. They Got Combustible.
The architect specified non-combustible cladding. The builder installed combustible ACPs. The government ordered them removed. The casino sued for $4M. They got $285K.
The Owner Who Filed 8 Lawsuits in 18 Months — And Lost Every One
Eight Supreme Court cases, zero wins, indemnity costs ordered. A cautionary tale about strata disputes gone nuclear — and what it means for every other owner in the building.
Their Ground Floor Unit Flooded 6 Times — Then They Won $255K
How a ground floor apartment in Abbotsford became uninhabitable after repeated flooding, the owners corporation refused to fix it, and the owners won $255,000 in damages at NCAT.
A Planter Box Fell From Level 29 — Now Owners Face a $37M Bill
How One Central Park in Chippendale became one of Sydney's most expensive strata defect cases, with five court proceedings, falling planter boxes, and a potential $37 million repair bill.
How Much Does a Strata Report Cost in NSW? (2026 Price Guide)
Actual 2026 pricing for strata reports in NSW: $180-$350 depending on provider, building size, and urgency. Learn what you're paying for and how to get the best value.
How to Check Your Strata Plan in NSW (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to finding and checking strata plans in NSW. Learn how to access plans through NSW LRS, what information they contain, and how to verify your apartment's lot number.
What Is a Good Sinking Fund Balance for Strata in NSW?
Data-driven benchmarks for NSW strata sinking funds. Learn what healthy looks like vs. deal-breaker underfunding, based on 88,000+ buildings.
We Analysed 2,000 Strata Disputes in NSW — Here's What Goes Wrong Most
Data-driven analysis of 1,986 NCAT tribunal decisions. Renovations cause 2x more disputes than building defects, cases have quadrupled since 2015, and 36% of buildings are repeat offenders.
How to Read a Strata Report in NSW: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Learn exactly what to look for in a strata report, in what order, so you can assess a building's financial health before you buy.