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Resources

We are members of the industry body, Strata Community Association, and our staff regularly attend training sessions to stay up-to-date with the latest knowledge and skills. This ensures that our advice remains unparalleled, delivering optimal decision-making support for our clients.

SOCM have compiled a collection of useful resources for your convenience.

As experts in our field, we provide informed advice based on thorough analysis.

At SOCM, our perspective revolves around the belief that an apartment building serves as both a community for residents and a significant investment for owners. Consequently, our primary focus is to ensure that residents enjoy a high quality of living while owners feel assured that their valuable asset is well-protected.

Resources

Owners Corporations

No two people or properties are the same. As such, your owners corporation is also unique, and SOCM understands that there is no “one size fits all” answer.

As community living rises in popularity in Australia, the benefits and responsibilities of contained lifestyles and affordable asset ownership are more apparent – as are the complexities.

With new options and spaces for multi-residential and mixed use residential and commercial developments, the need for legislation and regulations to control, direct and protect the interests of all involved becomes incredibly important. This is where your owners corporation comes in.

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What is an Owners Corporation?

An owners corporation (formerly body corporate) manages the common property of a residential, commercial, retail, industrial or mixed-use property development. When you purchase a property in a subdivision you automatically become a member of the Owners Corporation.

An owners corporation maintains the common property for the benefit of all members and also provides services to the members.

With many diverse opinions and needs, hiring an experienced owners corporation manager means you can cut through the complexities and enjoy the benefits of community living.

Plan of Subdivision

An Owners Corporation is automatically created when a plan of subdivision containing common property is registered at Land Victoria.

Land Victoria registers and records Owners Corporation applications. The plan of subdivision shows the parcels of land that can be sold separately. These are called ‘lots’.

Lot owners are the members of the Owners Corporation for the subdivision. More than one Owners Corporation can be created in a subdivision of land or buildings.

Each lot’s entitlement and liability is set out in the Plan of Subdivision. Lot owners are charged their share of annual fees according to their lot liability.

To find out more, download our PDF at the link below.

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Common Property

Part of the function of an Owners Corporation is the repair and maintenance of Common Property.

Any member of the owners corporation can be involved in decisions about repairs and other projects by attending the annual general meetings and volunteering to join the committee. For most decisions, a majority of members must approve the proposed work before it can proceed.

What is Common Property?

Common property exists for the benefit of all members. As such it is integral for your owners corporation to undertake the repair and maintenance of the common property to ensure it is maintained.

Further, your owners corporation is required to comply with any notice served by a statutory authority in regard to common property. For example – an order by the water authority to repair a leaking supply main.

Examples of common property include:

Walls
Passages
Pathways
Gardens
Foyers
Stairways
Driveways
Lifts
Fences
Recreational Facilities

Links

A collection of helpful resources and links to keep you informed. We are proactive in our efforts to enhance the value of your property, consistently taking initiative instead of waiting to be prompted.

Strata Community Australia

The website of Strata Community Australia – the peak industry body for Owners Corporations and Strata Organisations across Australia. This is a fantastic and user-friendly resource for information regarding Owners Corporations. SOCM is a proud and long-standing member of SCA. We regularly participate in its mission to regulate and improve the Owners Corporation industry.

VISIT THE WEBSITE

Guide to owning, managing and living in an owners corporation

A comprehensive booklet available for download or order from Consumer Affairs Victoria, that nicely summarises the roles and responsibilities that Owners Corporations face – and how living within an owners corporation environment can be an enjoyable experience for all.

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Consumer Affairs Victoria

The website of Consumer Affairs Victoria. CAV is the business unit of the Victorian Department of Justice. Its aim is to help all Victorians “be responsible and informed businesses and consumers”. Much more than a website for Owners Corporations, it’s a handy resource to have at hand.

VISIT THE WEBSITE

Owners Corporation Acts & Regulations

OWNERS CORPORATIONS ACT 2006
OWNERS CORPORATIONS REGULATIONS 2007
SUBDIVISION ACT 1988

Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal

VCAT

Forms

SOCM have compiled a collection of useful forms listed here for your convenience.

Proxy

Download your Owners Corporation Proxy form with the link below.

download form

If you cannot attend an owner corporation meeting, you can appoint a person to represent you. This person ‘holds a proxy’ and their vote is counted as yours.

You may authorise a person in writing to act as your proxy to: