The Allan Labor Government is urging Victorians to have their say on owners corporation laws, with public consultation beginning this week as part of a review into the laws.
Community feedback will help the panel conducting the review to understand the issues Victorians face when dealing with owners corporations.
One in four Victorians live in developments that are overseen by an owners corporation, with this number expected to continue to increase over coming years.
The expert panel will consult those who own and live in owners corporations, owners corporation managers, industry groups and developers to ensure they function fairly and efficiently.
The review will examine reforms made to the Act in 2021 to strengthen the governance and management of owners corporations and consider current stakeholder concerns.
It will focus on specific issues including hardship arrangements for paying corporation fees, dispute resolution, voting requirements, and enforcing breaches of owners corporation laws.
The review will examine the effectiveness of the Act to discourage and protect against dishonest practices and conflicts of interest, as well as the collective sale of buildings managed by owners corporations.
It will also look at the Owners Corporations (Short-Stay) Accommodation Act 2018 (Short-Stay Act), which introduced reforms to address poor behaviour in short stay accommodation.
Marsha Thomson, a former Minister for Consumer Affairs will chair the expert panel while Karen Chester, an accomplished economist with expertise in regulatory policy and David McKenzie, one of Victoria's leading owners corporation lawyers will also join the panel.
Public consultation will ensure any changes to the laws are informed by the lived experience and interests of property owners and people living in strata developments, as well as people working or involved in the industry.
Public consultation is open until 2 September via the Engage Victoria website https://engage.vic.gov.au/OCActReview
The expert panel will deliver its findings and recommendations to the Minister of Consumer Affairs by 1 December 2025.
As stated by Minister for Consumer Affairs Nick Staikos
"The independent expert panel will work to ensure the legislation remains relevant, equitable and efficient, and meets the real and unique needs of those living in strata housing."
"One in four Victorians live in a strata-managed property and this public consultation will provide valuable insights into the experience, issues and concerns of Victorians who are involved with owners corporations."
