What Is a Strata Company and What Services Do They Provide?
If you live in an apartment, townhouse complex, or mixed-use building in Australia, there's a good chance you're part of a strata scheme - and a strata company is working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. You might also know them as a strata management company or body corporate manager.
So what's the lowdown on strata companies and what they do?
What Is a Strata Company?
A strata company is the firm that the owners corporation (or body corporate) picks to manage the shared areas and the nitty-gritty stuff of a strata property.
The idea is that instead of owners having to deal with issues on their own, the strata company acts as a kind of "middleman", handling maintenance, finances, compliance and comms for the whole building or complex.
Strata companies get involved in all sorts of properties, including:
- Apartments
- Townhouse and villa complexes
- Mixed residential-commercial places
- Office and retail strata developments
- Core Services Provided by a Strata Company
1. Building & Common Area Maintenance
One of the most visible roles of a strata company is making sure the shared spaces are well-maintained - think stairwells, corridors, lobbies, roofs, balconies, and car parks. They go out and get quotes, source qualified contractors, and oversee the work to make sure it's done right and on time.
2. Financial Management
Strata companies keep an eye on the finances for the building, including:
Working out annual budgets
Collecting strata levies
Managing sinking funds and capital works funds
Paying contractors and utility bills
Giving owners transparent financial reports
That way, owners don't get caught out with sudden repair bills.
3. Compliance & Legal Obligations
Strata properties have to follow various state and local regulations - and a strata company helps out by:
- Making sure building insurance is up to date
- Managing fire safety inspections and certifications
- Keeping records in line with strata laws
- Advising owners on by-laws and changes to the law
This all helps reduce the risk for owners and keeps the property in line.
4. Contractor & Service Coordination
From cleaners to electricians, plumbers to painters, strata companies act as a kind of "project manager" to:
- Assess and hire licensed contractors
- Arrange works with minimal disruption
- Check up on performance and workmanship
- Deal with warranties and follow-ups
When it comes to big jobs like repainting or remedial repairs, you want an experienced team coordinating it all.
5. Communication & Dispute Management
Strata companies act as a communication hub for owners, tenants, committee members, and service providers - and also help out with handling complaints, resolving disputes and organizing meetings.
Why Painting Is Such a Big Deal in Strata Maintenance
Painting in a strata building is more than just slapping on some new colour. Regular painting helps prevent concrete cancer and corrosion, maintains property value, improves safety and visibility, and makes the whole building look a lot better.
Because strata buildings can be big and complex, painting work requires careful planning, access solutions and safety compliance - and that's where experienced strata-focused contractors come in. Lots of strata managers in Sydney rely on trusted providers like Painters Link, who is a professional strata painting company for residential and commercial properties and work closely with strata companies to minimize disruption.
How Strata Companies Help Property Owners
A well-run strata company can:
- Save owners loads of time and stress
- Protect long-term property value
- Keep the building compliant with regulations
- Deliver consistent maintenance standards
- Create a better place to live or work
Whether it's getting the façade repainted, managing annual budgets or just dealing with day-to-day issues, strata companies are the unsung heroes of shared property.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what a strata company does really puts their value into perspective. From crunching financial numbers to coordinating big works like painting and repairs, strata companies keep buildings safe, compliant and looking their best.
For owners and committees, choosing the right strata manager - and working with reliable contractors - can be the key to keeping a property looking its best for years to come.
