This article is about the recent LookUpStrata webinar that explained the NSW law changes – Get Organised for 2026: Strata Law Reforms Recap and What to Expect Next. Allison Benson from Kerin Benson Lawyers provided a clear and practical overview of the key reforms already in effect, the obligations schemes should have addressed by now, and the changes still to come.
Strata law in NSW has undergone a significant period of reform, and Allison explained what needs to be done to stay current. For many, the pace and volume of change has been challenging to keep up with. With further reforms expected in early 2026, now is a critical time for owners, committee members and strata managers to pause, review what has already changed, and make sure their schemes are properly prepared.
NSW Get Organised for 2026: Strata Law Reforms Recap and What to Expect Next | Allison Benson, Kerin Benson Lawyers – Jan 2026
This session was designed as a compliance checkpoint, helping attendees understand not only what the law now requires, but how those requirements play out in day-to-day strata management.
Below is a summary of the main themes covered in the session and why they matter.
NSW strata law changes explained
Allison began by stepping through the major reforms that have already commenced, many of which impose new procedural and compliance obligations on owners corporations and strata committees.
Key areas covered included levy recovery and payment processes, where the reforms have introduced stricter rules around how payments are allocated, clearer frameworks for payment plans, and limits on what costs can be passed on to owners in arrears. These changes require schemes to review their existing practices and ensure their systems align with the new requirements.
The session also addressed stronger enforcement mechanisms for common property repairs. Owners corporations now face increased scrutiny if they fail to maintain common property, with clearer pathways for owners to seek orders where repairs are delayed or ignored.
Extended limitation periods for damages claims were another important change discussed. These reforms affect how long parties have to bring certain claims, particularly in relation to building defects, and they have implications for record keeping, maintenance planning and long-term risk management.
New duties and heightened expectations
A recurring theme throughout the webinar was the expansion of duties placed on strata committees and building managers. Allison explained how reforms have clarified expectations around decision making, disclosure, and governance, increasing the need for committees to act consistently, transparently and within their legal authority.
These duties are not purely theoretical. They influence how committees communicate, how decisions are documented, and how advice from strata managers and legal advisers is relied upon. Schemes that continue to operate informally or without proper records may be exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.
Accessibility infrastructure obligations were also covered, with Allison explaining how recent changes affect what schemes can approve and install, and what considerations committees must now take into account when assessing requests or planning upgrades.
What schemes should have done by now
One of the most practical aspects of the session was Allison’s focus on what schemes should already have addressed since the reforms commenced.
This included reviewing levy recovery procedures, updating internal policies and templates, confirming that committee decision making processes comply with legislative requirements, and ensuring that managers and committee members understand where responsibilities sit.
Allison emphasised that doing nothing is no longer a safe option. Even where enforcement action has not yet occurred, schemes that have not adapted their processes may find themselves on the back foot if disputes arise.
These LookUpStrata resources may assist
Download the resources for free:
- Prepare for the NSW Strata Legislation changes on 27 October 2025 and 1 April 2026
- Prepare for the NSW Strata Legislation changes on 1 July 2025
Looking ahead to 2026
The webinar also looked forward, outlining reforms expected to commence in 2026 and how schemes can prepare now.
Rather than waiting for new laws to take effect, Allison encouraged committees and managers to use the current period to audit their practices, seek advice where needed, and address gaps before they become urgent problems.
Preparation, she explained, is not just about compliance. It also helps reduce disputes, improve decision making, and create clearer expectations between owners, committees and managers.
Why this session is worth watching
This NSW-focused webinar offered a structured and practical overview of a complex reform landscape. Rather than focusing on isolated changes, the session tied the reforms together and explained how they interact in real strata environments.
If you are a lot owner, committee member or strata manager trying to make sense of what has changed and what still lies ahead, this recording provides a valuable roadmap. It is particularly useful for schemes that want to confirm they are on the right track before further reforms take effect in 2026.
Watching the full session will help you understand your current obligations, identify any gaps in your processes, and plan your next steps with greater confidence.
Download the presentation from the Session
Download the presentation from the webinar here: Strata & Community Titles: Strata Reforms (a catch up from 1 July 2025) and new changes.
Presenter:
Allison Benson
Kerin Benson Lawyers
E: allison@kerinbensonlawyers.com.au
P: 02 4032 7990
This post appears in Strata News #777.
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Read next:
- NSW Embedded Network Reforms 2025: What You Need to Know
- NSW: Major NSW Strata Reforms Incoming: First Stage Rolls Out 1 July 2025
- NSW: Transparency at the heart of strata reforms
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