WA: New reforms to reduce conflict in strata communities

Hundreds of thousands of Western Australians living in strata communities are set to benefit from reforms focused on improving transparency, accountability and flexibility.

Six-week public consultation on Phase Two of the Cook Labor Government’s strata reforms now open

The Phase Two Discussion Paper seeks feedback across 22 reform topics aimed at improving transparency, accountability and flexibility within strata schemes

Proposed reforms complement the Cook Labor Government’s efforts to boost housing supply

Hundreds of thousands of Western Australians living in strata communities are set to benefit from reforms focused on improving transparency, accountability and flexibility.

Consultation is now open on Phase Two of the Cook Labor Government’s five-year review of the Strata Titles Act 1985, providing Western Australians with an opportunity to have a say on proposed reforms to the State’s strata laws.

Importantly, these practical reforms seek to address the sources of conflict that may arise in the management and administration of strata companies, such as by-law changes, proxy voting, and conflict of interest disclosures.

The proposed reforms were informed by the more than 1,600 responses received from people living, working and operating in strata communities as part of the Phase One consultation.

The changes focus on improving transparency, accountability and flexibility within strata schemes, with key reforms including:

contemporary and more accessible by-laws, streamlined processes for making or changing by-laws, and controls intended to reduce the misuse or concentration of proxy votes;

clearer approval pathways for lot and common-property alterations, improved management of utility infrastructure and simpler processes for updating strata plans and correcting minor errors;

clearer duties for strata council members, improved conflict-of-interest disclosures and stronger mechanisms for dealing with council members who do not meet disclosure requirements;

clearer disclosure of strata manager fees, charges, commissions and benefits, together with an ongoing requirement for strata manager annual returns;

improved pre-contractual disclosures and strata education to help buyers understand key scheme information, financial obligations, utilities and other matters before purchasing; and

requirements for schemes to determine their position on short-term rentals and clearer mechanisms for recovering costs or damage attributable to short-term rental use.

Feedback received through Phase Two will help inform the review’s final recommendations, ensuring that Western Australia’s strata laws meet the needs of communities now and into the future.

Submissions on the 22 reform topics covered in the Phase Two Discussion Paper can be made until 26 November 2026 through Landgate’s website.

Comments attributed to Planning and Lands Minister John Carey:

“Our State is home to close to 350,000 strata properties, with around a quarter of Western Australians living in strata communities.

“The proposed reforms in the Phase Two Discussion Paper are about providing practical measures to improving governance, transparency and flexibility for the growing number of people in strata living without imposing any additional cost on owners.

“We want more people to consider the option of living in strata units, villas and apartments, and these reforms support this.

“This includes streamlining and simplifying processes surrounding by-laws and modifications to properties and improved conflict of interest disclosures.

“Over the next six weeks, I encourage the community, industry and stakeholders to have their say on a range of practical strata law reform options within the Phase Two Discussion Paper.”

This post appears in Strata News #814.

Hon. John Carey
Minister for Planning and Lands; Housing and Works; Health Infrastructure; Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport and Major Infrastructure
Government of Western Australia