The Knight Alliance

Strata titled properties in Australia have assets (property, services) that no single private lot owner has individual responsibility and/or authority for. Examples include corridors, communal lighting, and a shared roof and so on. Within Victoria, Owners Corporations are legal entities created by the registration of Plans of Subdivision. The Plan of Subdivision will show which portions of the property are private and which are common. Why do Owners Corporations exist? Owners Corporations enable multiple people to own privately sub-titled property on the same piece of land, which also includes ownership of the land beneath ground level (e.g. a basement car park) and of the airspace above (e.g. when you own an apartment on the third flood, you really own the airspace at that height that is surrounded by walls, a floor and a ceiling). The Owners Corporation provides a legal structure for shared ownership of the common property and services that exists alongside ...

The government has announced changes to the planning rules for apartment developments, with a focus on the relationship between new apartment developments and the amenity of existing neighbourhoods. A discussion paper has been prepared which outlines some potential changes and explores five policy aims for new apartment developments, including the need for green space, high quality building facades, protection from wind impacts, attractive, engaging streets and better managed construction impacts. At The Knight we welcome these proposed changes. Better apartment buildings in our neighbourhoods will not only improve the attractiveness and safety of our streets, but also play a integral role in improving the mental health and wellbeing of Strata residents and encourage a sense of community within buildings. Read more about The Knight’s work building community here . With recent trends showing that more and more families are ditching wide open spaces and opting for ap...