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BODY CORPORATE FINANCE SEMINARS: REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN!

Strata Community Education Seminar Series October 2026!

You live in a body corporate. You pay levies. But do you really know where that money goes?

Registrations are now open for the Strata Community Education Seminar Series October 2026, presented by Smart Strata in partnership with Archers the Strata Professionals.

Following the release of our October seminar topic earlier this month, we’re excited to officially invite Queensland’s strata communities to join us as the series travels across five regions this October.

Committee Essentials: Understanding Body Corporate Finances – Where Does the Money Go? Demystifying Body Corporate Finances…

SMALL ISSUES, BIGGER COSTS

When you manage or maintain a strata property, it is easy to focus on the jobs that are already on the schedule. The lawns need mowing, the gardens need attention, the common areas need cleaning and the bins need servicing.

But what about the things nobody has specifically asked you to look at? Regular contractors are often on a property more frequently than many other people involved in its day-to-day management. That means they can sometimes notice small changes or problems simply because they are there regularly.

Those observations can be useful, particularly when they are reported early…

SOMETIMES IT TAKES LEAPS AND BOUNDS: GETTING MAJOR SPENDING APPROVED

Proper and timely maintenance is one of the most important parts of administering a community titles scheme. A body corporate has a strict statutory duty to maintain its common property (including utility infrastructure) and assets in a good and structurally sound condition. It is not enough to merely take ‘reasonable steps’ or ‘attempt’ to keep…

WHO DOES WHAT ON A COMMITTEE?

One of the most common questions we receive is whether there are specific sections of legislation that clearly define the responsibilities of each committee member. The reality is that references to committee roles and responsibilities are spread across multiple sections that outline the functions each committee member may perform. In some instances, what is assumed to form part of a certain committee member’s role is not addressed in the legislation at all.

The committee is tasked with the administrative and day-to-day running of the body corporate. They make decisions on behalf of the body corporate, provided the decisions are within their spending limit and are not restricted issues. The committee must also put into effect the lawful decisions of the body corporate.

The aim of this article is to provide a description of each role within your committee and hopefully debunk some myths that exist about them within the wonderful world of bodies corporate…

BODY CORPORATE FINANCIAL DECISIONS: MEET PETER HUNT

Following the opening of our October seminar series on the Sunshine Coast, we’re heading to the Gold Coast next Wednesday!

As our Strata Community Education Seminar Series continues across Queensland, we’re excited to introduce our next lawyer guest speaker, Peter Hunt, Director at Mathews Hunt Legal, who will share his legal perspective on body corporate financial decisions.

As our panel follows the financial journey of a body corporate, Peter will explore an important part of the picture – what happens when financial decisions intersect with legal obligations, committee authority and the appropriate approval processes?

FOREARMING THE COMMITTEE

There are many rules and restraints on a committee’s ability to spend body corporate funds that can make it difficult to promptly deal with issues that arise. Compliance with these rules and restraints is a common feature of disputes that are made against a body corporate and its committee, or in the way the committee is responding to a dispute.

The default committee spending limit of $200 per lot has not changed since 2008, but the value of money has. In a 25-lot scheme, a committee might find that a $5,000 limit won’t get it very far into dealing a difficult issue that has arisen.

A body corporate can give its committee flexibility by changing some of those rules and restraints. This article will explore how to create that flexibility so the body corporate forearms its committee to promptly act in its best interests…

BODY CORPORATE FINANCES: MEET JASON CARLSON NEXT WEEK

The countdown is on! With just one week until our October Strata Community Education Seminar Series begins on the Sunshine Coast, we’re excited to introduce our first lawyer guest speaker, who will help unpack the legal and governance considerations behind body corporate finances.

Jason Carlson, Practice Leader at Chambers Russell Lawyers, will join our expert panels on the Sunshine Coast on 1st of October and Mackay on 13th of October.

Bringing extensive experience within Queensland’s strata sector, Jason will provide a legal and governance perspective as our panels explore the financial journey of a body corporate – from budgets and levies through to unexpected expenditure, long-term planning and managing finances throughout the year…