What is strata title?
Strata title is the form of property ownership used for apartments, townhouses and other multi-unit developments — you own your unit outright plus a share in the common property (driveways, lifts, pools), managed by an owners' corporation that levies strata fees.
Strata title (called 'community title' in some states) is the legal framework for multi-unit property ownership. Each owner has freehold title over their individual lot (e.g. their apartment) plus an undivided share — proportional to lot entitlements — in the 'common property' (lobby, lifts, pool, gardens, driveways).
The owners' corporation (Body Corporate in QLD, Strata Corporation in SA/WA) is the legal entity that manages the common property. It charges strata levies quarterly — typically $1,000-$5,000/quarter for an apartment, more for premium buildings with concierge / pool / gym. Levies fund maintenance, building insurance, capital works sinking fund, and admin.
Strata reports are essential due diligence. A $300-$500 'strata search' commissioned during cooling-off reveals: pending special levies (one-off bills for major works), litigation in progress, by-laws (pet rules, short-term-rental rules, alteration approvals), capital works fund balance, and meeting minutes. A weak strata can sink an otherwise good purchase.
strata title · body corporate · community title · owners corporation
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General information only — not personal financial advice. Verified against https://ratesniffers.com.au/glossary on 2026-06-01.