NSW: Can you pay a strata special levy in instalments due to financial hardship?

Published April 22, 2026 By Leanne Habib, Premium Strata Leave a Comment Last Updated April 22, 2026

Question: Our owners corporation held an AGM to impose a one-off payment of $100,000 divided between 33 units. The special levy is due in six weeks. Can we arrange to pay in instalments? We are seniors and don’t have the funds available. Why have they done this?

Answer: Contact your strata manager as soon as possible.

It is possible that your scheme has to undertake some substantial remedial works (as the owners corporation must due to its statutory obligations) and requires additional funds to do so.

Since you state that you are short of funds, you should contact your strata manager as soon as possible to seek the owners corporation’s consideration of a payment plan for your specific needs (which must be done at a general meeting) over a 12 month period (unless the owners corporation has already determined it does not wish to enter into payment plans).

Each application for a payment plan should be assessed on merit, and an owners corporation may seek proof of any financial hardship.

This post appears in the June 2024 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.

Leanne Habib
Premium Strata
E: info@premiumstrata.com.au
P: 02 9281 6440

About Leanne Habib, Premium Strata

Leanne is leading the conversation in strata and community management across Australia. With a distinguished career spanning over 25 years and holding credentials as a licensed Strata and Community Manager and Real Estate Managing Agent, Leanne has masterfully redefined the essence of premium strata service. Her approach, honed through years in senior roles within top-tier agencies, is unwaveringly client-focused, ensuring that expectations are not only met but consistently exceeded.

As a pivotal member of the Strata Community Association (SCA) and the CEO of the award-winning Premium Strata, Leanne, together with her team of seasoned strata managers, embodies a commitment to unparalleled service excellence. Beyond steering Premium Strata and Premium Building Management, her influence extends across the property industry as a leading voice. Leanne's insights on legislative updates and industry shifts are invaluable, offering guidance to lot owners on intricate strata matters and fostering effective and informed strata management practices.

Leanne is a regular contributor to Lookupstrata. You can take a look at Leanne’s articles here .

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