Lessons Learned from CLMA 2021 By-law Reviews

Important Changes to CLMA 2021

The commencement of the Community Land Management Act 2021 (CLMA 2021) on 1 December 2021 has introduced a number of important changes to the laws regulating by-laws in Community Management Statements and Neighbourhood Management Statements.

 

Are Your By-laws up to Date?

As a result of these changes a number of by-laws contained in Management Statements are no longer valid or enforceable and many by-laws in Management Statements are now redundant.

This means there is a need for community associations and neighbourhood associations to review their Management Statements to ensure compliance with the CLMA 2021.

By-law Reviews – What Lessons Have Been Learned?

In the article below, we share some of the lessons that have been learned from those by-law reviews following the commencement of CLMA 2021. We look at:

  • Harsh By-laws
  • Pet By-laws
  • Leasing
  • By-laws Regarding Association Committees and Insurance
  • Old Terminology
  • Changes to Part 1 By-laws

Read article hear – CLMA 2021 Lessons Learned

Are You Compliant – Need a Review?

Our specialist strata lawyers have reviewed dozens of Management Statements for community and neighbourhood schemes. Need a review – click here now


ARE YOU COMPLIANT? – CLICK NOW FOR A REVIEW!

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For all strata law advice including by-laws, building defects and levy collections contact our specialist NSW and Sydney strata lawyers here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.

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1 December 2021 – Changes to Community Title Laws

Commencing 1 December 2021, changes to the Community Land Development Act 2021 and Community Land Management Act 2021 will commence.

The new legislation will modernise and simplify the development process of community schemes within NSW, aligning the community schemes legislation with the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and Strata Schemes Development Act 2015.

What is the Aim of the New Community Title Legislation?

  1. To create consistency between community lands and strata schemes laws in NSW
  2. Provide modern, flexible, and democratic governance arrangements
  3. Improve maintenance of shared property and financial management
  4. Support a simpler and more flexible development process

What are the Key Changes to Community Title Legislation?

  • To provide more flexibility for schemes with some requirements for unanimous resolutions to now be special resolutions
  • Make it easier for schemes to deal with association property and add land to a scheme
  • Introduction of a new process for development contracts bringing the process in line with strata schemes
  • The simplification of tiered schemes
  • Allowing schemes to apply to NSW LRS for a termination of a community scheme instead of going to court
  • Allowing an association to also create statutory easements
  • The introduction of a new process for amalgamations

For further information visit www.nswlrs.com.au.

How will this Affect Your Strata and Community Schemes?                              

  • Your existing by-laws will need to be consistent with the new aligned community and strata schemes legislation otherwise they may not be enforceable
  • You may also need to consider whether your community and neighbourhood management statements are in line with the new laws
  • It is therefore important that you review any by-laws and management statements to ensure they are in line with these new laws
  • This fact sheet includes detailed information about the different types of orders and how community schemes disputes are managed at NCAT – Community_Schemes_Fact_Sheet

Do you need help reviewing your by-laws and management statements to ensure they are in line with the new legislation? Contact us now, help is here.

For all NSW strata legal advice including by-laws, building defects and levy collections contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.




Paper unveils Community Schemes Reforms

Key reforms to support residents living in nearly 2,200 community, neighbourhood and precinct schemes in NSW have been unveiled in a new community schemes law reform position paper.

A snapshot of the proposed changes includes:

  • Helping associations to monitor and fund property maintenance by requiring a builder or developer to provide a building maintenance schedule at the first annual general meeting.
  • Limiting proxy votes to prevent an individual or small group controlling a scheme.
  • Streamlining by-law enforcement; making it easier to penalise serial offenders and recover enforcement costs.
  • Boosting industry professionalism and the responsible management of schemes through strengthened accountabilities, including new disclosure requirements.
  • Providing opportunities for tenants to be represented at meetings.
  • Accommodating online technology to help schemes communicate and operate efficiently and effectively.

To find out more visit the review of the strata and community scheme laws where you can read the positioning paper giving details on the reforms.

For NSW strata legal or levy collection advice please contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.