Private Property, Common Property, and Exclusive-Use Areas – What Scheme Executives (Trustees) Need to Know

Posted: February 11, 2025

Private Property, Common Property, and Exclusive-Use Areas – What Scheme Executives (Trustees) Need to Know

In a Sectional Title Scheme, managing the balance between private and shared spaces is essential. Scheme Executives (Trustees) must have a clear understanding of the boundaries to prevent disputes and ensure smooth operations.

Here’s a breakdown of the key areas:

  • Private Property (Section) (Owner’s Responsibility):
    • Interior of units: walls, ceilings, floors, and fixtures inside.
  • Exclusive-Use Areas (Owner’s Responsibility):
    • Spaces like balconies, gardens, and parking bays, which owners are responsible for maintaining but remain part of common property.
  • Common Property (Body Corporate’s Responsibility):
    • External walls, roofs, and structural elements.
    • Shared areas: walkways, gardens, recreational spaces, and communal facilities. Security elements: boundary walls, gates, and fencing.

A proper understanding of these distinctions ensures smoother operations, compliance with legal frameworks, and the preservation of property value.

*Note: Always refer to sectional plans to confirm what falls under sections, exclusive-use areas, and common property. The above are general examples.

Exclusive Use Areas — A Closer Look at the Rules and Regulations

Who pays for that pipe? A guide to body corporate and owner responsibility in sectional title schemes