Question: Is there a requirement for strata managers or committees to have a planned maintenance schedule?
I recently moved into a pre-1980s strata complex that needs regular building maintenance. The committee and strata manager appear to be working reactively, organising expensive engineers when items become major, rather than using local trades to maintain the property.
Is there a requirement for strata managers or committees to have a planned maintenance schedule for buildings? Should we organise a yearly on-site walkaround and discuss what’s needed, then develop a budget to hire local trades to do the work?
I’m not on the committee yet, but hope to be for the next AGM.
Answer: There’s no legal requirement for a preventative maintenance schedule, but adopting one is widely considered best practice.
There’s no requirement to have a preventative maintenance schedule, but as best practice, I think it’s a really fantastic idea. I think a walkaround with the owners, the strata committee, and the strata manager is a really great idea so you can begin to put a list of items together.
Building a relationship with local trades is a really positive thing. You can begin scheduling out maintenance and small improvements over the course of 12 months or have a one-year and a three-year plan.
It’s also great that this person is looking to get on the strata committee to try and make a difference and put in place some processes like this.
This post appears in the August 2026 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
Hugh McCormack McCormacks Strata Management E: Hugh.McCormack@mccormacks.com.au P: 1300 991 825