If you’re buying a unit, townhouse or apartment in a strata scheme, there’s one document you should never skip: the strata report (also called an owners corporation report). It can reveal problems a standard building inspection won’t catch — and it could save you from an expensive surprise after settlement.
What a strata report actually covers
A strata report gives you a detailed look at how the owners corporation is run. It typically includes the financial position of the fund, minutes from recent meetings, any planned or ongoing maintenance, insurance details, and a record of disputes or by-law breaches.
Why the financials matter
Two figures deserve close attention: the balance of the administrative fund (day-to-day running costs) and the capital works fund (long-term repairs, like re-roofing or repainting). A scheme with low reserves and an ageing building may hit owners with a large special levy down the track — money you’d be liable for as the new owner.
Red flags to look out for
- Repeated special levies or a pattern of underfunded reserves
- Ongoing legal disputes involving the owners corporation
- Deferred maintenance noted in meeting minutes
- Unusually high or restrictive by-laws (pets, renovations, short-stay rentals)
Why it’s worth the cost
A strata report typically costs a few hundred dollars — a small price compared to the value of the property, and far cheaper than discovering a large special levy after you’ve already signed. Most buyers order one during the due diligence period, alongside a building and pest inspection.
Local knowledge helps too
Numbers on a page only tell part of the story. Understanding how a particular building or complex in Werribee has been maintained over time, and how the local strata market compares, is where experienced local advice makes a real difference. Talk to our team at Local Property Experts before you make an offer on a strata property — we’re happy to point you toward the right questions to ask.