December 2025

Hello clients, friends, and industry colleagues,

Welcome to the December 2025 edition of STRATA INSITE from Bugden Allen—our final issue for the year. In this edition, we cover key regulatory developments, including New South Wales’ latest and most extensive round of strata and strata development law reforms. We’ve also included a selection of articles from our expert team.

In October, we sadly lost our founding partner and a true pioneer of our industry, Gary Bugden OAM. Below, we share a tribute article written by our CEO, David Bugden.

If we can assist with anything arising from this newsletter—or if you would like us to present any of these topics in more detail—please get in touch.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our clients and industry colleagues a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous start to 2026. Our offices will close at 3pm on Friday, 19 December and will reopen on Monday, 5 January 2026. We also extend our sincere thanks to our valued clients for their continued support, and to our loyal and hardworking team.

FEATURED ARTICLE

On 6th October 2025, we lost a pioneer of our industry, the founding partner of Bugden Allen, and a dear friend and family member to many.

This tribute, written by Gary’s son and our CEO, David Bugden, honours Gary’s extraordinary contribution to strata law and the countless people he inspired throughout his remarkable career.

NSW Updates

💡 Strata law reform continues in NSW

NSW has released the next round of major reforms to the strata, community and building management laws. The changes introduce new exemptions for 2-lot schemes, shorter contract terms for building managers, expanded levy recovery rules, mandatory reminder notices, updated definitions for cosmetic and minor work, and new EV-charging rights for lot owners. They also create new disclosure obligations, stricter record-keeping, clearer regulation of exclusive supply networks, updated requirements for training providers, and expanded NCAT powers. Similar updates will apply to community schemes and building management committees.

💡 NSW Retail Leases Amendment Bill 2025: Key Changes for Lessors and Retail Tenants

The NSW Parliament has introduced the Retail Leases Amendment (Review) Bill 2025, implementing key reforms to the Retail Leases Act 1994. The changes improve transparency and flexibility in lease negotiations, disclosure, and documentation, marking the first phase of broader retail leasing reform in NSW.

💡 NSW Passes Major Domestic Violence Reforms to Residential Tenancy Laws

NSW has passed the Residential Tenancies Amendment (Domestic Violence Reform) Bill 2025, introducing major new protections for tenants affected by domestic violence. The reforms clarify liability for property damage, strengthen early termination rights, restrict advertising access, and impose tougher privacy rules around personal information. Bugden Allen will continue to monitor commencement dates and publish further updates.

QLD Updates

💡 General Meetings in Queensland - Understanding the rights of lot owners, representativies, and visitors

This article explains who is legally entitled to attend and vote at Queensland body corporate general meetings — including lot owners, valid proxies and, in some cases, mortgagees — and when attendance or voting rights may be restricted. It also clarifies when visitors can be excluded and the limited circumstances in which disruptive behaviour may justify removing someone from a meeting.

VIC Updates

💡Understanding Ordinary, Special and Unanimous Resolutions in Victorian Owners Corporations

Victorian owners corporations must use the correct type of resolution—ordinary, special or unanimous—depending on the significance of the decision. This article explains each threshold in plain language and highlights why using the wrong resolution can expose an OC to challenges and invalidate levies or decisions.

💡When Can an Owners Corporation Commence Bankruptcy Proceedings for Unpaid Levies?

When levy arrears become serious, bankruptcy can be a powerful enforcement option for owners corporations—but only as a last resort. This article explains when bankruptcy or company winding-up becomes available, the strict legal steps involved, and the risks and considerations committees must weigh before pursuing such action.

WA Updates

💡Strata Electricity Networks in WA: Your Guide to the New Embedded Network Code of Practice

WA’s Voluntary Embedded Networks Code of Practice is now in effect, providing a best-practice framework for electricity embedded networks. While participation is currently optional, the WA Government plans to introduce a mandatory Code—likely in late 2025 or early 2026—based on this version. Strata companies and managers operating embedded networks should begin reviewing their billing, metering and compliance processes ahead of these upcoming obligations.

💡WA Raises the Bar: New Training Standards for Strata Managers

Western Australia has introduced major education and competency reforms for strata and community titles managers. From October 2025, managers must meet new qualification standards—centred on the Certificate IV in Strata Community Management—with staged compliance deadlines through to 2027. These reforms reshape role definitions, supervision requirements and business compliance obligations for strata management companies across WA.

Q&A'S

VIC: When can an OC commence bankruptcy proceedings for unpaid levies in Victoria? Read more.

Got a question you would like answered and published here?

TEAM UPDATES

✨ New team members

We are excited to welcome the following new team members that have joined the growing Bugden Allen family:

• Jonathan O'Connor - Senior Associate, Perth
• Patti Mitchell - Paralegal, Perth

✨ Career opportunities

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Solicitor or Associate in our Sydney Litigation team. We are also looking for an experienced lawyer to join our debt recovery team, LevyCollect, focusing on our growing practice in Victoria. This role is based out of our new Melbourne office.

For more information, please contact us via the Careers page on our website or email info@bagl.com.au.

📱 Get in Touch

If you have any questions in relation to this newsletter, or you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team, visit our web site or contact us via email at: info@bagl.com.au 

• Sydney 02 9199 1055
• Melbourne 03 8582 8100
• Brisbane 07 3905 9260
• Sunshine Coast 07 5406 1280
• Perth 08 9254 6304

Disclaimer: Nothing in this newsletter is intended to be legal advice. You should seek legal advice tailored to your property's specific circumstances. The information in this newsletter and on our web site are of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, we do not guarantee that the information in this newsletter is accurate at the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future.