WELCOME BACK AND 2025 TOP 10 COUNTDOWN
Happy New Year from Smart Strata – Top 10 Countdown
As we settle into 2026—getting used to writing a new year and easing back into routine—the team at Smart Strata would like to warmly welcome you back and announce the top 10 countdown for most read articles of 2025.
To kick off the year, we’re continuing our annual tradition of reflecting on what resonated most with our readers.
A Big Year for the Strata Community
Last year delivered no shortage of important conversations and developments across strata living. From Tropical Cyclone Alfred impacting communities across Queensland, to the introduction of the new seller disclosure regime in August, and practical, face-to-face education covering Committee Membership, By-law Lifecycles, and Clarifying Maintenance & Improvement Obligations—2025 was a busy and informative year.
In fact, Smart Strata updates were read an impressive 1,159,449 times throughout the year.
What’s even more remarkable is just how close the readership numbers were across our Top 10. With that in mind, let’s count them down—each one well worth revisiting.
The Top 10 Countdown – Most Read Smart Strata Updates of 2025
10th Place – 23,101 Reads
Queensland Strata Committees and Training | Smart Strata Seminar – Sunshine Coast Next Week!
Hundreds of readers registered for our Smart Strata Committee Membership and By-law Lifecycles seminars, held across six Queensland regions in May. Grant Mifsud, Partner at Archers the Strata Professionals, also shared valuable insights into the changing landscape and future considerations around mandatory strata committee training.
9th Place – 23,138 Reads
Brendan Pitman, Partner at Grace Lawyers, explained three ways to obtain construction contracts from developers. Nicky Lonergan, CEO of Archers the Strata Professionals, unpacked what happens when a development change request is submitted, while CHU Underwriting Agencies explored insurance risk mitigation and defect resilience in strata communities.
8th Place – 23,261 Reads
The Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management explored installing solar infrastructure under the Building Units and Group Titles Act 1980. Andrew Suttie, Director at Stratify Legal, shared real-world examples highlighting the importance of due diligence in strata ownership. The annual Smart Strata Committee Course Challenge Winner announcement once again proved popular—and returns next month, so stay tuned.
7th Place – 23,363 Reads
Our Smart Strata October seminar series focusing on maintenance, improvements, lot boundaries, and exclusive use drew strong interest across Queensland. Nicky Lonergan, CEO at Archers the Strata Professionals explained the new seller disclosure regime and updated REIQcontract, while Renee Murray from KSS Horticulture shared seasonal tips to keep communal gardens thriving.
6th Place – 23,411 Reads
Mario Esera, Partner at HWLE Lawyers, clarified responsibility for repairs, maintenance, and improvements in strata schemes. Smart Strata also introduced Mario as the first expert lawyer speaker for our October seminars, alongside practical security advice from Sam Khalef, CEO + Founder MYBOS on managing building keys.
5th Place – 23,537 Reads
Cyclone Preparation Guide for Strata Owners
A standalone update by Syna Hickmott, Insurance Manager at MAI Strata, providing clear, practical guidance on what strata stakeholders should know before, during, and after severe weather events.
4th Place – 23,538 Reads
Jessica Cannon, Partner at Chambers Russell Lawyers, explained how exclusive use areas work and where responsibilities begin and end, at the same time, Smart Strata introduced Jessica as our 4th expert lawyer panelist for the popular October Maintenance seminars. Andrew Staehr from Archers the Strata Professionals highlighted common oversights buyers make when reviewing contracts of sale.
3rd Place – 23,681 Reads
By-Law Enforcement Flowchart | Smart Strata Seminar – Brisbane Next Week!
Wayne Hewitt, Partner at Archers the Strata Professionals, delivered one of our most-read and practical resources—the By-law Enforcement Flowchart—helping committees and managers navigate enforcement clearly and confidently. Excitement also built around the Brisbane Smart Strata Maintenance seminar, which recorded standout registrations.
2nd Place – 24,030 Reads
Frank Higginson, Partner at Redchip Lawyers, shared insights via video and podcast on Committees long-term financial planning. Vivienne Hooper of Archers the Strata Professionals provided a clear, practical guide to sinking funds and forecasts—essential reading for committee members. Smart Strata also announced the exhibitor passport winners from each of our October Maintenance seminars.
1st Place – 24,101 Reads
Taking top spot for 2025, Nigel Hales, Partner at Miller Harris Lawyers, clarified maintenance and replacement responsibilities for air conditioners—an issue that continues to spark questions across strata schemes. Nigel was also introduced as our 5th expert panelist for the October Maintenance seminars. Adam Ford, Partner at Archers the Strata Professionals, also tackled the complex topic of committee conflict and the role of the strata manager.
Thank You & Looking Ahead in 2026
A big congratulations and thank you to all our 2025 contributors. The breadth of topics and depth of expertise shared throughout the year continues to strengthen strata knowledge across our communities.
If you’ve read this far, you clearly have a strong interest in strata-related matters. We encourage you to click through and revisit each of the Top 10 countdown articles and let us know in the comments what topics you’d like to see more of in the year ahead.
And keep an eye out—our May 2026 seminar dates across Queensland will be released very shortly via the Smart Strata Update and Events page.
Here’s to another year of informed discussion, practical education, and community connection.
Happy New Year from Smart Strata!
Article contributed by the Smart Strata team.
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I, secretary, recently had to record a new CMS with Titles Queensland (TQ) on behalf of our BC and decided to do it myself to save on legal costs.
I found the process ok but also found out that TQ are very pedantic about how it’s completed and presented e.g. I had a couple of pages out of order and they didn’t like that (they apparently don’t swap them around for you).
I was requisitioned twice (more fees) before I finally got it accepted. It was arduous but achievable.
Another surprise… I then had to purchase a copy of the new CMS (more fees).
The whole exercise cost me about $260 which the BC will reimburse, no problem.
Can you please do a detailed article on applying for a new CMS. This should include completing Form 14 (Request), Form 20 (Execution) and the CMS and Schedules. Please include page numbering requirements, initialing requirements for and changes, execution requirements using Form 20, the BC correct naming requirements, Form 20 (expanded panel), the correct order of documents for submission and anything else that may help.
This does not need to be as complicated as it appears to be.
I look forward to an article about this in 2026.