Who We Help
Strata Managers
Strata managers are often the first to see a dispute forming — a by-law breach, an unpaid levy, or an emerging defect. Getting the right legal advice at that early stage can be the difference between a matter resolved administratively and one that ends up in NCAT.
Archer Lawyers works alongside strata managers to advise their owners corporation clients, with guidance that supports the manager's own obligations. We understand that managers need advice they can act on quickly, explain confidently to a committee, and rely on if a decision is later questioned.
We commonly support strata managers and their clients on:
- By-law enforcement and disputes: advising on the proper process for enforcing by-laws, drafting notices and correspondence, and resolving disputes over interpretation before they escalate
- Levy recovery action: advising on and running levy recovery processes against defaulting lot owners, including notices, interest and recovery of costs
- Defect claims requiring legal escalation: advising managers on building defect issues that go beyond routine maintenance and require formal claims against a builder or developer
- NCAT proceedings: representing the owners corporation where a matter can't be resolved administratively, keeping the manager informed throughout
- Committee decisions and governance: providing guidance managers can pass on to committees regarding meeting procedures, motions and decision-making obligations, reducing the risk of procedural challenges
- Insurance claims and disputes: advising on strata insurance claims and disputes over coverage, working alongside the manager's existing processes
- Difficult or high-conflict lot owners: advising on managing repeat or escalating disputes with particular lot owners, including harassment, non-compliance or vexatious complaints
- Manager liability and risk management: advising strata managers on their own obligations and potential exposure, and how to document decisions to minimise risk
Outcomes we help strata managers and their clients work toward include:
- Disputes resolved before they escalate
- Clear, defensible advice the manager can rely on in dealing with lot owners
- Consistent by-law enforcement across the scheme
- Levies recovered efficiently, protecting the scheme's financial position
- Defect claims properly escalated and pursued where in-house resolution isn't possible
- Reduced risk exposure for the manager personally, through well-documented, legally sound processes
- A trusted point of legal contact the manager can bring in as soon as an issue starts to escalate
