Who is Responsible for Common Area Maintenance in Strata Managed Properties?
In strata living, shared spaces shape your day from the moment you step outside your door. A clean hallway, working lift or tidy garden isn’t a bonus. It’s the bare minimum. Neglecting these areas can quickly lead to safety hazards and a drop in property value. That’s why understanding what is a common area strata is so important.
So, who is responsible for common area maintenance in strata-managed properties? What’s expected when it comes to maintenance? This guide supports strata managers, owners and tenants by breaking down the roles and responsibilities involved. We’ll walk you through the basics of who does what, what kind of maintenance is generally required and how to keep these areas looking great.
What is a Common Area According to Strata Regulations?
In strata-managed properties, residents share common areas. These include stairwells, lobbies, driveways, gardens, lifts and pools. If it sits outside your unit and everyone uses it, chances are it's a common area in strata.
To answer the question, who is responsible for common area maintenance in strata-managed properties? That job belongs to the owner's corporation (or body corporate, depending on your state). They're responsible for cleaning, repairs, general upkeep and insurance. Basically, it’s their job to make sure that shared spaces are safe, functional and pleasant for everyone living in the building.
Common Areas in Strata
What is a common area in a strata-managed property? It’s any shared space beyond your front door that all residents use and help maintain together. These include:
Structural & Exterior Elements
These are the bones and outer shell of the building. That includes external walls, stairwells, windows, roofs, gutters and boundary fences, basically, the bits that hold everything up and keep the weather out.
Shared Facilities
Think of these as the little extras that make strata life more enjoyable. Pools, gyms, saunas, BBQ areas, lounges and even mini libraries are part of the common property, often adding value and convenience to your day-to-day life.
Utilities & Infrastructure
Behind the walls, you’ll find shared plumbing, electrical switchboards, stormwater drains, fire systems and sometimes substations. These are the necessary services that keep your building functional, safe and compliant with local regulations.
Circulation Areas
Lobbies, hallways, fire exits, lifts and stairwells fall into this group. They keep people moving and are important for both daily access and emergency evacuations.
Vehicle and Storage Areas
Driveways, visitor parking, car parks, garages and storage cages are typically shared. Even if you’ve got a designated spot, these spaces are still maintained as part of the common property.
Outdoor Areas
Shared balconies, gardens and visitor washrooms all count as communal. These spaces often serve as extensions of your living area, especially in dense apartment complexes.
Staff and Management Areas
If there’s a building manager’s office, that’s also common property. These areas help support on-site operations and maintenance behind the scenes.
Rubbish & Laundry Areas
Bin rooms, waste chutes and shared laundries fall squarely into this category. They're not glamorous, but they’re key to keeping things clean and running smoothly.
Who is Responsible for Common Area Maintenance in Strata Managed Properties?
If you own or live in a strata-managed building, the body corporate is responsible for maintaining the common areas. That includes the foyer, rooftop garden, shared plumbing, lifts and any other space used by all residents. They’re responsible for organising repairs, coordinating with tradies and keeping everything in good running condition.
The body corporate covers the costs by collecting strata maintenance fees from lot owners. These fees cover routine maintenance, urgent repairs and long-term upkeep.
The body corporate also handles residential strata insurance. It covers the building’s structure, shared facilities and public liability if someone is injured in a common area in strata. So when something breaks or goes wrong in a shared space, it’s the body corporate’s responsibility to organise the repairs and maintenance.
Common Area of Strata: Typical Maintenance Tasks
Looking after common areas strata isn’t just about making things look nice. It’s about safety, function and keeping daily life hassle-free.
Routine Cleaning
Cleaning crews handle the daily grime in hallways, stairwells, lobbies and shared bathrooms. This keeps things looking presentable and helps prevent wear and tear from building up over time.
Utility Repairs
Shared utilities such as lifts, HVAC systems, communal lighting and plumbing require regular maintenance to keep everything running smoothly. If the lift gets stuck or a light goes out in the stairwell, it’s the body corporate who gets it sorted.
Garden and Landscaping Maintenance
Lawn mowing, hedge trimming, weeding and irrigation checks all fall under standard strata landscaping care.
Amenity Inspections
Gyms, BBQ areas, and meeting rooms need routine checks to remain safe and fully functional. Faulty equipment or neglected areas can lead to safety hazards or costly repairs down the line.
Pest Control
Pest control is an important part of maintenance tasks in a strata shared space. Routine treatments help prevent infestations before they become a full-blown issue.
Fire Safety Checks
Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency exits and lights are regularly inspected to make sure safety and compliance.
Building Exterior Inspections
Roofs, cladding, gutters and exterior paintwork should be checked regularly for damage or wear. Early inspections help catch minor issues before they become costly repairs.
Importance of Keeping Common Areas of Strata Clean
Clean common areas in strata do more than look nice. Explore these benefits of keeping common areas of a strata property clean and well-maintained:
1. Residence Health and Safety
Regular cleaning helps prevent mould, bacteria buildup and pest infestations that can affect residents’ health. It also reduces trip hazards and slippery surfaces that could lead to injuries.
2. Compliance with Regulations
Strata properties are legally required to maintain shared spaces to a certain standard. Breaking those rules can lead to serious penalties and legal issues for the owner's corporation.
3. Improve Property Value
Well-maintained lobbies, strata gardens and shared areas leave a strong first impression on potential buyers and renters. Clean surroundings signal that the building is cared for and professionally managed.
4. Boost Resident Satisfaction
Occupants feel more at ease living in a clean, well-looked-after space. It strengthens trust in the body corporate and motivates residents to take more pride in their home.
5. Promotes a Positive Community Image
A tidy, well-kept building reflects a sense of order and community pride. It helps set the tone for respectful behaviour from both residents and visitors.
6. Reduces Long-Term Maintenance Costs
Routine cleaning prevents grime, water damage and wear from piling up. It’s cheaper to clean regularly than to fix major damage down the track.
7. Encourages Respectful Use
People are less likely to leave rubbish or damage property in a clean, orderly environment. A well-presented space often inspires better behaviour from those who use it.
Keep Common Areas Strata Clean and Presentable with NSCG Maintenance Services!
Clean, well-maintained common areas keep residents happy, protect property value and help prevent costly complaints. From a tidy garden to a spotless foyer, shared spaces show how well a building is run. They also highlight the need to understand who is responsible for common area maintenance in strata-managed properties.
NSCG Maintenance offers strata cleaning and maintenance across
Sydney, specifically in the
North Shore and
Northern Beaches areas. Body corporates and strata managers can rely on us to deliver reliable, top-quality service every time.
We handle routine and deep cleaning, lawn and gardening services, high-pressure cleaning, rubbish removal and more. With flexible scheduling, we make it easy to keep your property in top condition.
Get in touch with us for a no-obligation quote and service you can count on.
