STRATA LEVIES EXPLAINED - Blackburne Strata Management · Levied contributions, also known as...

2
‘Strata Levies’ refers to the financial levied contributions that all owners in a strata scheme pay, which is generally used for the maintenance and upkeep of the common property in the scheme. All schemes are different and it’s important to refer to your own strata plan for specific details on what constitutes as the common property and what is budgeted annually for maintenance and upkeep. However, as a guide this will generally relate to maintenance or repairs to shared services like gardens, corridors, roofing and common facilities like the pool or gym. Levied contributions, also known as strata levies, are raised in accordance with the Strata Titles Act 1985 to fund the maintenance, insurance and management of common property. The frequency and amount of levy contribution is determined by the owners as required at each Annual General Meeting (AGM) to cover the costs outlined in the budget approved at this meeting. The amount raised to cover the budget is usually administered into the Administration Fund and this same fund is used to make payments for day-to-day expenses. Usually included in the budget are items such as cleaning, general repairs and maintenance, strata management fees, insurance costs, pool maintenance, common area electricity costs and caretaker costs (as they are applicable to each property). Levied contributions can also be used to raise funds for a ‘Reserve Fund’. This is a separate fund that raises a small amount (usually) over a long period of time to facilitate repair and/or replacement of bigger items. Some examples include major roof maintenance or replacement, lift replacement and painting of entire buildings. This fund can also be used for large unexpected expenses, such as major structural damage. Special Levies are raised through General Meetings of the strata company (EGM) for any unexpected and unbudgeted major building expense. These are paid in addition to existing contributions. What are levies? The Council of Owners, guided by the Strata Manager, determine how much money is needed in both the Administrative and Reserve Funds. These amounts are supported by a budget that is presented to all owners at the AGM. Owners then vote to either accept or amend the proposed budget. The budget must take into account the amount needed in both funds to cover expected and unexpected expenditure. It must also consider the existing financial situation of the Strata Company. Levies are calculated based on each lots entitlement. Depending on the nature of the scheme, every lot in a strata company may have equal entitlements, or unit entitlements for each lot may vary based on the size or amenity. Unit entitlement is determined by a surveyor when the Strata Plan is initially drawn up and is a legal document on the Strata Plan lodged at Landgate. How are levies calculated? STRATA LEVIES EXPLAINED OUR STRENGTH. YOUR VISION. Like many new things, there are aspects that are included in an initial warranty period. For new developments, often the original build cost includes a 12 month warranty period, so things such as servicing and repairs are not required in the budget. In the following years however, the ongoing maintenance for these items need to be allowed for within the budget, and this often leads to an increase in the levied contributions required from owners. I’ve bought in a new development, why are my levies increasing next year?

Transcript of STRATA LEVIES EXPLAINED - Blackburne Strata Management · Levied contributions, also known as...

Page 1: STRATA LEVIES EXPLAINED - Blackburne Strata Management · Levied contributions, also known as strata levies, are raised in accordance with the Strata Titles Act 1985 to fund the maintenance,

‘Strata Levies’ refers to the financial levied contributions that all owners in a strata scheme pay, which is generally used for the maintenance and upkeep of the common property in the scheme.

All schemes are different and it’s important to refer to your own strata plan for specific details on what constitutes as the common property and what is budgeted annually for maintenance and upkeep.

However, as a guide this will generally relate to maintenance or repairs to shared services like gardens, corridors, roofing and common facilities like the pool or gym.

Levied contributions, also known as strata levies, are raised in accordance with the Strata Titles Act 1985 to fund the maintenance, insurance and management of common property.

The frequency and amount of levy contribution is determined by the owners as required at each Annual General Meeting (AGM) to cover the costs outlined in the budget approved at this meeting.

The amount raised to cover the budget is usually administered into the Administration Fund and this same fund is used to make payments for day-to-day expenses.

Usually included in the budget are items such as cleaning, general repairs and maintenance, strata management fees, insurance costs, pool maintenance, common area electricity costs and caretaker costs (as they are applicable to each property).

Levied contributions can also be used to raise funds for a ‘Reserve Fund’. This is a separate fund that raises a small amount (usually) over a long period of time to facilitate repair and/or replacement of bigger items.

Some examples include major roof maintenance or replacement, lift replacement and painting of entire buildings. This fund can also be used for large unexpected expenses, such as major structural damage.

Special Levies are raised through General Meetings of the strata company (EGM) for any unexpected and unbudgeted major building expense. These are paid in addition to existing contributions.

What are levies?

The Council of Owners, guided by the Strata Manager, determine how much money is needed in both the Administrative and Reserve Funds. These amounts are supported by a budget that is presented to all owners at the AGM.

Owners then vote to either accept or amend the proposed budget. The budget must take into account the amount needed in both funds to cover expected and unexpected expenditure. It must also consider the existing financial situation of the Strata Company.

Levies are calculated based on each lots entitlement. Depending on the nature of the scheme, every lot in a strata company may have equal entitlements, or unit entitlements for each lot may vary based on the size or amenity. Unit entitlement is determined by a surveyor when the Strata Plan is initially drawn up and is a legal document on the Strata Plan lodged at Landgate.

How are levies calculated?

STRATA LEVIES EXPLAINED

OUR STRENGTH. YOUR VISION.

Like many new things, there are aspects that are included in an initial warranty period.

For new developments, often the original build cost includes a 12 month warranty period, so things such as servicing and repairs are not required in the budget.

In the following years however, the ongoing maintenance for these items need to be allowed for within the budget, and this often leads to an increase in the levied contributions required from owners.

I’ve bought in a new development, why are my levies increasing next year?

Page 2: STRATA LEVIES EXPLAINED - Blackburne Strata Management · Levied contributions, also known as strata levies, are raised in accordance with the Strata Titles Act 1985 to fund the maintenance,

If you cannot pay your contribution by the due date, please contact Blackburne immediately.

We will then discuss the options available to you with the Council of Owners where a payment plan may be implemented.

If the levies are not paid by the due date and we have not been contacted, interest will be due and payable to your Strata Company (not Blackburne). The debt collection procedure as adopted at the AGM will also be enacted.

If you cannot pay your levied contribution?

Levies are generally payable on a quarterly basis as determined at the AGM, however Special Levies may be payable on notice.

All owners are advised of the dates their levied contributions are due in their AGM minutes. Owners are usually issued a notice that levies are due by the Strata Management company, however the main notification is within the General Meeting minutes and future notices serve only as a reminder of this.

When do you pay your levy?

At Blackburne we have a dedicated online portal available for owners to view and get copies of documents such as Quarterly Levy Invoices, Insurance Certificates of Currency and General Meeting Minutes.

This way you can always see when your levied contributions are due at any time throughout the year.

This portal is available at: https://stratamanagement.blackburne.com.au/owner-login/

If you have further questions, please contact us at [email protected] or 9429 5777

STRATA LEVIES EXPLAINED

OUR STRENGTH. YOUR VISION.

Blackburne Property Group1050 Hay St West Perth WA 6005 T 08 9429 5777 E [email protected] W stratamanagement.blackburne.com.au

Online Portal