New Unit Title Act guidelines

The new laws come under the Unit Titles Act 2010 and include a number of changes to the Unit titles Act 1972, and according to a DBH spokesman, creates "a modern framework for managing unit title developments. These changes affect the way bodies corporate are run, and have implications for owners and residents of apartments and commercial unit title developments."

The guide outlines changes to the Act around maintenance requirements, fees, buying and selling units and dispute resolution.

While the Act was passed on April 1, it will not come into force until the supporting regulations have been completed, and a 15-month transition period from the Act coming into force will allow time for bodies corporate to prepare for the new requirements. The Unit Titles Act 1972 will continue to apply during that time frame.

Among the changes set to come into force is an expansion of the maintenance requirements.