Council rates... Strata Levies???? Sydney?

Question

Whats the difference? are they different?

Answer 1

Strata levies cover repairs, maintenance, security, upgrades and cleaning for the shared areas of a building (eg stairwell and lifts, gardens, exterior paint etc) and will vary from building to building. Council rates are a tax imposed by the local council on any kind of dwelling, depending on its value.

You need to pay both I'm afraid if you own an apartment. You can attend strata meetings if you wish to help decide how much should be levied and what the strata levies should be spent on.

Answer 2

Council rates are for house you own. If renting the landlord pays these.

Strata is for apartments, unit, etc.. Also called body corporate.

Answer 3

If you own an apartment, flat, villa or townhouse it is necessary to pay Strata Levies to the Body Corporate for maintenence, repairs, insurance etc to the Common Property. Council Rates are payable to your Local Council for rubbish removals, footpath and park maintenence, repairs, etc. Both are payable quarterly and vary.

Answer 4

You don't have to pay Strata Levies (Body Corporate) if you own a house on your own land that isn't part of a larger group of houses etc. Council rates on the other hand will depend on the local council, but are usually to cover water supply / garbage collection / local roads and parks etc. The Body Corporate is for maintance on shared areas of the apartments / complex etc (pools/gardens etc)