Modernised Body Corporate regulations to commence in March 2021

The Palaszczuk Government has finalised a modernised set of body corporate regulations which will deliver important benefits for Queensland unit owners. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said the regulations were the result of widespread industry consultation and follow a property law review undertaken by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). To assist stakeholders with the transition, the new regulations will take effect from 1 March 2021. “The new regulations streamline and modernise body corporate procedures, reduce body corporate costs and enhance protections for unit owners,’ the Attorney-General said. “These are important outcomes for unit owners and the regulations have been guided by a comprehensive review carried out by QUT. “We’ve worked closely with stakeholders on the regulations which we believe have strong support from industry and Queensland unit owners.” The regulations:

• facilitate electronic voting and attendance at meetings, including the use of ‘live’ electronic voting and remote personal attendance by teleconference/videoconference;

• facilitate use of email and other forms of electronic communication for the exchange of information and documents within bodies corporate;

• clarify and improve the list of documents that original owners (developers) must provide to the body corporate to facilitate effective governance of the scheme; and

• encourage early identification and remedy of building defects by requiring a body corporate to consider a motion to prepare a defect assessment report at its second annual general meeting.

For more information, visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/law/housing-and-neighbours/body-corporate