NSW strata reforms 2025-2026: what changed

Stronger protections around levies and payment plans

An owner in arrears can now agree a payment plan with the owners corporation, and while that plan is being complied with, the owners corporation cannot start or continue debt recovery action against the owner (Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, sections 85 and 86). Payment plans run for up to 12 months, and a further plan can be agreed. For a committee, this changes how arrears are handled; blanket resolutions refusing all payment plans are no longer available.

More disclosure from your managing agent

The rules on what a strata managing agent must disclose have been tightened. Agents must disclose and report any commissions or training services they receive (section 60), and must formally report on the exercise of their functions to the owners corporation every six months (section 55). The intent is simple: owners should be able to see what their agent does and what their agent is paid.

Other changes worth knowing

• Supply and embedded-network disclosure. Buyers and owners are now entitled to clearer information about exclusive supply and embedded-network arrangements affecting a scheme (section 184).
• Sustainability infrastructure. Estimates for the capital works fund now take sustainability infrastructure, such as solar and metering, into account (section 79).

What is still coming

The Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 passed both houses of the NSW Parliament in August 2026 and, at the time of writing, awaits assent. It is not yet in force, so nothing in it applies to your scheme today. We will update this page when it commences.

If your scheme's records, by-laws or capital works plan have not been reviewed against the current law, that is worth doing, and it is part of what we look at when we take on a scheme. Get a free quote.

General information about NSW strata law, current as at August 2026. It is not legal advice. For your specific scheme, check the current legislation or seek advice.