Summary Introduction
Buying into a strata building in Sydney? Before you sign anything, make sure you understand exactly what you’re buying into. A strata report reveals the true condition of a building—from how well it’s maintained to whether owners are battling legal disputes. At Grantham Buyers Agents, we review hundreds of strata reports each year for clients across the Inner West, Lower North Shore, and Eastern Suburbs. Here’s what we look for—and what you should too.
1. Financial Position
The financial health of the building matters just as much as your own loan pre-approval. We check:
- Administrative fund: used for day-to-day expenses like cleaning, gardening, and minor repairs
- Capital works fund: saved for bigger-ticket items like roofs, lifts, or painting
Are the funds healthy? Do they match the 10-year capital works forecast? Are any special levies proposed—or recently raised? If strata levies are above $2,000 per annum, we want to see where that money is going and why.
2. Maintenance History
We scan for signs of a proactive vs. reactive building. Red flags include:
- Repeated mentions of leaks, water ingress, or cracked tiles
- Postponed maintenance or deferred upgrades
- Major works (like waterproofing or cladding) that haven’t been addressed
Well-run buildings stay ahead of problems. Poorly run ones leave issues to escalate—costing you later.
3. Strata Committee Dynamics
The minutes tell us a lot about how the building is governed. We look for:
- Stable, active committees with clear communication
- Regularly held AGMs and owner engagement
- Constructive tone in discussions—not finger-pointing or dysfunction
If the committee is unresponsive or combative, that’s a red flag.
4. Legal Issues and Insurance
We check for:
- Adequate building and public liability insurance
- Evidence of compliance with fire safety, pool fencing, and window restrictors
- Whether the building is involved in ongoing NCAT disputes, litigation, or debt collection cases
Legal trouble can derail your investment and lead to unexpected levies.
5. Overall Building Culture
Strata reports don’t just reveal facts—they reveal culture. Is the building calm and community-minded, or full of conflict? Meeting minutes often reveal:
- Interpersonal disputes between owners or tenants
- Noise complaints, renovation conflicts, or breach notices
- Consistent tone of co-operation (or lack thereof)
If you’re planning to live there—or rent it out—this matters more than you might think.
https://www.granthambuyersagents.com.au/why-paying-high-strata-levies-may-not-be-a-bad-thing/
Why This Matters in Sydney
Low levies might look good on paper, but in a city like Sydney—where building repairs and insurance costs are rising—undercapitalised buildings can leave owners footing massive special levies. We prefer properties with healthy budgets, well-structured funds, and transparent records.
How Grantham Buyers Agents Can Help
We’ve reviewed thousands of strata records for clients purchasing in areas like Balmain, Neutral Bay, Coogee, and Surry Hills. We know how to read between the lines, flag real risks, and assess whether the building is well-managed—or a ticking time bomb. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or seasoned investor, we’ll make sure you’re not caught off guard.
https://www.granthambuyersagents.com.au/contact/
