Owners automatically become a body corporate member

If you own a unit title property, you are automatically a member of the body corporate. This means you need to consider not only your own property, but also the needs of the wider community.

If you rent out your unit, it is a good idea to:

• let the body corporate committee know your unit is tenanted
• provide contact details for your property manager, if you use one
• keep the committee informed when tenants change, to support building management and emergency planning.

How a body corporate works(external link)

Make sure your tenants know the rules

Body corporate rules often cover things like:

• noise
• parking
• use of common areas
• rubbish disposal
• moving furniture
• pets.

Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the body corporate rules alongside their tenancy agreement. Taking the time to highlight key rules can help prevent issues later.

Examples of body corporate rules and how they may be enforced(external link)

Stay informed

Even if you do not live in the property, staying connected with your body corporate is important.

Consider attending annual general meetings (AGMs) and keeping up to date with maintenance projects, building issues, and changes that may affect your property or tenants.

Information about body corporate meetings(external link)

Healthy homes standards still apply

The healthy homes standards apply to unit title properties just like any other rental property.

If body corporate rules or building design make compliance difficult, landlords should work with their body corporate to understand what changes may be possible. Landlords must still take all reasonable steps to ensure the property complies to the greatest extent reasonably practicable.

Healthy homes standards

If you are a pet owner

Recent changes to tenancy laws have raised questions about pets in unit title developments.

Landlords need reasonable grounds to refuse a tenant's request to keep a pet. In a unit title development landlords will need to discuss the request with the body corporate and may need to consider their rules. It is important to check what applies before making a decision.

Rules about pets 

A quick tip for tenants

Unit title developments are communities. Introducing yourself to your neighbours and understanding the body corporate rules can help everyone enjoy a safe and positive living environment.

Find out more

For more information about body corporates, operational rules, and living in a unit title community, visit the website below:

Unit Titles Service(external link)

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