‘Lost its human touch’: Australians ending up in court over missed strata fees in cost-of-living crisis

With more Australians living in strata-titled properties, there is a greater need for reform of laws around levy recovery, say experts. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian

As Oliver packs up his Melbourne home of 16 years, he wishes the managers of his strata property had checked in with him before things became so bad that he needed to sell. In 2018, Oliver – who asked not to use his real name – lost his job and fell behind on his strata levies, the regular payments made to upkeep common facilities like roofs, stairwells, lifts and gardens. Then the managers took legal action, meaning he had to pay legal fees on top of his strata payment debt.

Now he’s facing forced bankruptcy after the strata managers filed a claim against him.