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Almost every formal decision a strata scheme makes happens at a meeting, is settled by a vote, and — for the rules of the building — can become a by-law. Get the process right and your decisions stand; get it wrong and they can be overturned. This guide ties the three together.
The big picture
The owners corporation makes decisions collectively, at properly convened general meetings, by voting on motions. The kind of decision dictates the kind of resolution required, and some decisions also need to be registered as by-laws to have effect.
The AGM
The annual general meeting is where the budget and levies are set, the committee is elected and the year’s decisions are made. The full process — notice, agenda, quorum and minutes — is in how to run a strata AGM.
Voting and resolutions
NSW law has three kinds of resolution — ordinary, special and unanimous — each with its own majority, and the maths changes on a poll. The detail is in strata voting and resolutions, including the precise 75% special-resolution test.
Run meetings and votes properly
OneStrata helps you run the AGM, put motions to owners, and apply the right majority by unit entitlement — with the result on the record.
By-laws
By-laws are the building’s rule book — pets, parking, noise, renovations. Changing them needs a special resolution and registration with NSW LRS within six months. See how to change strata by-laws, including the post-Cooper pet rules.
Doing it the easy way with OneStrata
OneStrata helps you put motions to owners, apply the correct majority by unit entitlement, and record the result in the minutes with a tamper-proof trail — so the AGM, the votes and any by-law change are all clean and defensible.
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This guide is general information for NSW strata committees, not legal, financial or tax advice. Strata obligations are governed by the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, its Regulation and recent amendments, alongside NSW Fair Trading (nsw.gov.au); always confirm current requirements for your scheme. OneStrata is record-keeping and management software for small to medium size strata schemes; it is not a licensed strata managing agent and never holds your funds.
Frequently asked questions
What decisions are made at a strata AGM?
Approving the budget and levies, electing the committee, and other ordinary business — all by vote on motions circulated with the notice.
What are the three kinds of strata resolution?
Ordinary (simple majority), special (at least 75% by unit entitlement) and unanimous (no vote against).
How do you change a strata by-law?
Pass a special resolution at a general meeting, then register the change with NSW Land Registry Services within six months — it has no effect until registered.
Can a strata scheme ban pets?
No. Under section 137B a by-law cannot unreasonably prohibit keeping an animal; blanket bans are unenforceable, though reasonable conditions are allowed.