Strata reforms: Key changes coming into effect from 1 July 2025

25 June 2025

The Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (NSW) marks a major step forward in strata reform — and from Tuesday, 1 July 2025, a new tranche of changes will come into force.

These reforms will affect how you manage strata schemes, advise your clients, and meet your compliance obligations.

Now is the time to get across the new requirements.

What’s changing from 1 July 2025?

Here are some of the key provisions taking effect:

  • Accessibility infrastructure - lower voting threshold (50%) for approving accessibility infrastructure, along with new pre-approval requirements for owners corporations
  • New strata committee duties - including acting honestly, fairly, and in compliance with legislation (Note: some new duties, such as training requirements, will commence at a later date)
  • Twice-yearly reporting obligations – every 6 months, strata managers must provide owners corporations with access to records from the past 6 months
  • Managing agent defence – where agents have taken all reasonable steps to prevent a breach of delegated duty by the owners corporation
  • Tighter rules around fund planning - including expanded capital works contribution forecasts and consideration of the initial maintenance schedule
  • New approval process for legal services - involving general meeting resolutions, including for legal services with unlimited or capped costs
  • Restrictions on by-laws - that may prohibit limit sustainability infrastructure
  • Standard form agency agreement – giving the Secretary power to approve standard form agency agreements for strata and building managers
  • Deferral of common property maintenance duties - in limited cases where safety or access is impacted by legal proceedings

These changes are extensive and, in many cases, complex. Understanding your obligations now will help ensure a smooth transition.

Need more help understanding the reforms?

On 24th June 2025 REINSW hosted a live webinar with NSW Fair Trading, covering the reforms and what they mean for you. Attendees heard directly from the policymakers and industry experts shaping these reforms: Melissa Pinto, Policy Manager, Real Estate and Housing, NSW Fair Trading; Jill Morris, Director Policy, Real Estate and Housing, NSW Fair Trading; and, Nicole Unger, General Counsel, REINSW.

If you missed it, the recording is now available to stream.

WATCH THE WEBINAR NOW

Free for REINSW members and live webinar attendees. Available to purchase for non-members.

Topics include:

  • The reform journey and what’s driving the changes
  • A deep dive into the reforms taking effect from 1 July
  • What to expect next – future commencement dates and additional reforms

Want more?