Interest Rates Rise: What It Means for Strata Communities
3 February 2026 The Reserve Bank has increased the cash rate by 25 basis points following higher-than-expected inflation data. While interest rate movements are often discussed in the context of mortgages, their impact extends well beyond individual households. Strata communities are not insulated from this environment. The flow-on effects for strata Higher interest rates and […]
Transparency Fails When Responsibility Is Abstract
30 January 2026 Transparency in strata is often treated as a disclosure problem, as though better paperwork, longer reports, or more detailed declarations will naturally lead to better outcomes. In practice, most of the information people say they want already exists. Relationships are disclosed. Interests are declared. Processes are documented. Yet frustration persists, trust erodes, […]
Transparency, misunderstood
27 January 2026 Transparency is one of the most frequently invoked ideas in modern leadership, and one of the least clearly understood. It appears in values statements, pitch decks, annual reports, and speeches. It is promised early and referenced often. Yet when organisations come under pressure, transparency is usually the first principle to thin out. […]
Why “industry standard” is usually code for “unchallenged”
21 January 2026 Every industry relies on standards. They exist to create consistency, reduce friction, and provide a baseline for decision-making. In complex environments, they can be useful shortcuts, particularly where time, expertise, or continuity is limited. Strata is no exception. The problem is not that standards exist. The problem is what happens when they […]
Short-Term Decisions, Long-Term Consequences in NSW Strata
16 January 2026 I recently shared an article by Michael Teys with several strata committees I work with because it clearly articulated an issue many schemes are still reluctant to confront: the consequences of deferring maintenance and under-funding capital works. It resonated because it reflected what many owners and committee members already sense but struggle […]
How Strata Management Businesses Actually Make Money
14 December 2026 One of the most persistent sources of tension in strata isn’t service quality, personality, or even performance. It’s money. More specifically, how strata management businesses make money, how clearly that is disclosed, and whether owners corporations genuinely understand the financial relationships operating around their schemes. This article is not written to suggest […]
Spotting the Fish: Why Transparency Is Now the Only Viable Future for Strata
5 January 2026 For a long time, strata management in New South Wales has operated behind complexity. Not always maliciously.Not always deliberately.But consistently. Layers of jargon, dense contracts, “industry standard” practices, and financial arrangements that many owners corporations struggle to fully understand have become normalised. Complexity has often been mistaken for professionalism. Opacity has too […]
At Bettr Strata, transparency is non‑negotiable. Will 2026 be the year the industry catches up?
31 December 2025 | JM (John Martin) 2025 Reflections: A Year of Foundations and Growth As we close out 2025, I’m proud to reflect on Bettr Strata’s first six months in operation, a period defined by our unwavering commitment to transparency, simplicity, and people-first service. (1) We launched Bettr Strata with a clear promise: no […]
Gratitude in Strata: Why It Matters More Than Ever
Acknowledging the Moment This week has reminded us how precious community really is. In strata, we often talk about compliance, levies, and maintenance, but behind every decision are people. Families. Neighbours. Contractors who show up rain or shine. When life feels uncertain, gratitude becomes more than a nice sentiment, it’s a stabilising force. It reminds […]
Five Smart Things a Proactive Strata Committee Should Do Before Christmas
December always sneaks up on us. Before everyone goes into holiday mode, smart committees take a few deliberate steps to set their building up for a smooth, safe summer. A little planning now prevents expensive crises later, especially when trades are thin on the ground and storm season hits at the same time as higher […]