THE PRACTITIONER'S COMPANION
Monday 10 February 2025

Conveyancers hold key to avoiding nightmare Strata living

Fast-growing number of people living in apartments is a burden – and an opportunity – for conveyancers.

2 min read

THE fast-growing number of people living in apartments is a burden – and an opportunity – for conveyancers.

That’s the view of specialist Strata lawyer Amanda Farmer, who was speaking to conveyancers at Dott & Crossitt’s Kick-Off 2025 event.

Amanda told the audience at Sydney’s Australian Museum that conveyancers were the professionals who held the keys for families to find a dream home and avoid ending up in a living nightmare.

And with Strata living being the fastest growing form of property ownership, Amanda acknowledges there are plenty of pitfalls.

“I’m not just talking about off the plan, we have a big problem with off the plan building defects as you know,” said the lawyer who is a Fellow and Council Member of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers.

“Even in our older, more established buildings, purchases of those types of apartments are still being sold a dream and what is in reality, absolutely not that all.

“For some people Strata is a nightmare.

“And here’s the thing.

“There is one professional who stands between the dream that is sold to owners and the nightmare that for some owners becomes that lived experience.

“There’s one professional. Yes, it is you. It’s the conveyancers.”

With almost one in six Australians are now living in Strata title properties and that number set to grow it’s easy why it is such an important area for conveyancers.

“It’s a huge burden. It’s a huge obligation and responsibility, but it is also in my view, a huge opportunity,” Amanda said.

“You are advising owners, strata owners at that point of purchase.

“There’s a great opportunity for legal advisors, especially conveyances, to become more informed about disputes and the common issues that impact schemes and to restructure the mechanisms used to convey advice to clients.”

Amanda shared her own experience at her first property where she initiated a scheme that added around $30,000 in value to of each of the titles.

But she also cautioned about the three mistakes can make, which are:

Failing to recognize the “two-lot strata minefield”: The “smallest communities have the biggest problems” and conveyancers should be aware of the issues with 2-4 lot strata schemes.

Not providing sufficient disclosure and advice to strata purchasers: Conveyancers are often the first point of contact for strata purchasers asking questions, and there is need for conveyancers to provide better-informed advice.

Lacking knowledge and experience in strata transactions: Conveyancers need to upskill on their knowledge and experience around Strata, or they will be a “liability” and “dangerous”.

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