Strata Setup Lawyers
National strata scheme establishment for property developers, delivered by our expert strata lawyers.
- Watertight by-law drafting to protect your commercial developer interests
- Precise lot & common property definitions to minimise dispute risks
- Smooth transition & compliant handover to the new owners corporation
- Strategic caretaker agreements that maximise ongoing strata title value
Our Strata & Body Corporate Setup Services
We provide end-to-end legal support for property developers across Australia, structuring your strata scheme to minimise dispute risks & facilitate a smooth transition to the owners corporation, including:
01. Drafting & Registering Strata Plans
We manage the meticulous preparation & registration of your strata plans to legally define lot boundaries & protect your commercial interests, including:
- Defining precise lot boundaries & common property areas to minimise the risk of a future strata dispute.
- Navigating complex land registry approvals & surveyor requirements to avoid costly project delays.
- Structuring staged developments & subdivisions for large-scale strata title projects.
02. Community Management Statements & Rules
Our strata lawyers draft robust community management statements & tailored by-laws that govern the daily operation of your strata scheme, such as:
- Drafting watertight by-laws to regulate the use of common property & shared facilities.
- Structuring exclusive use by-laws for parking spaces, courtyards & storage areas.
- Establishing clear rules to mitigate future building defect claims & maintenance conflicts between strata owners.
03. Establishing The Body Corporate
We guide developers through the critical initial period obligations & the formal establishment of the owners corporation, covering:
- Advising on statutory duties & property law restrictions placed on the developer before lots are sold.
- Calculating accurate unit entitlements to dictate voting power & levy contributions.
- Managing the first annual general meeting & facilitating a compliant handover to the new committee.
04. Caretaker & Management Rights Agreements
We prepare & negotiate strategic management rights contracts to support the ongoing administration of the building while maximising commercial value, including:
- Drafting comprehensive caretaker agreements for building work, maintenance & facility management.
- Negotiating terms with your appointed strata manager to secure long-term operational stability.
- Structuring letting agreements that align with the financial objectives of your property development.
Who We Act For
GRM LAW’s strata development lawyers understand how property developments are structured, built & transitioned – and act as long-term counsel to the full spectrum of project stakeholders, including:
Boutique Property Developers
Smaller-scale builders constructing townhouses or low-rise blocks with shared driveways & common property.
Large-Scale Commercial Developers
Major construction firms erecting multi-level office towers & retail precincts under commercial strata schemes.
Residential Apartment Developers
Companies building high-density residential strata towers containing hundreds of individual lots & shared recreational facilities.
Industrial & Logistics Developers
Entities subdividing large land parcels into strata-titled warehouses, factories & logistics parks.
Mixed-Use Project Developers
Creators of complex strata properties combining residential apartments, retail shops & commercial office space.
Real Estate Fund Managers
Institutional investors deploying capital into new strata building projects & large-scale subdivisions.
Joint Venture Development Partners
Multiple landowners or corporate entities collaborating to fund & execute a single strata scheme.
Property Investors & Syndicates
Investment groups undertaking subdivisions of existing assets to expand their strata title portfolios.
Discuss Your Strata Scheme Setup
Our strata lawyers will contact you to discuss your development & outline next steps.
What Our Clients Say
How The Process Works
01.
Initial Project Scoping & Strategy
We review your development plans & structure the optimal strata scheme to maximise your commercial returns.
02.
Drafting Strata Documents & By-Laws
We draft precise by-laws & common property definitions to protect your developer interests & prevent strata disputes.
03.
Registration & Regulatory Approvals
We navigate complex property law requirements & register your strata title to prevent costly project delays.
04.
Owners Corporation Handover
We establish the owners corporation & finalise caretaker agreements to ensure a fully compliant developer handover.
Discuss Your Strata Scheme Setup
Our strata lawyers will contact you to discuss your development & outline next steps.
Why Choose GRM LAW
01. Full Development Lifecycle Expertise
Our strata lawyers manage your entire project from site acquisition through owners corporation handover.
02. Expert Regulatory Navigation
We navigate complex property law & strata legislation across Australia to keep your approvals & registrations moving.
03. Commercial Focus & Pragmatism
Our law firm delivers practical legal advice structured around protecting your developer profit margins.
04. Proactive Risk Management
We draft precise by-law terms & common property boundaries, minimising your future strata disputes.
05. Efficiency & Responsiveness
Rapid document turnaround for your strata scheme keeps your construction timeline moving forward.
Meet Gavin McInnes
As the founder of GRM LAW, Gavin McInnes brings nearly 20 years of experience in property law & corporate structuring to your strata scheme establishment. He provides practical legal advice to property developers across Australia, ensuring complex projects are structured for commercial success.
- Nearly 20 years of experience in property law, construction law & commercial transactions
- Extensive background advising developers on complex planning regulations & strata scheme structuring
Gavin’s deep understanding of the development lifecycle ensures your owners corporation is established smoothly & your profit margins remain protected.
Representative Strata, Body Corporate & Community Title Experience
We advise developers on the establishment of residential, commercial & industrial strata schemes across Australia, including:
Yarrabilba Industrial, QLD
Complete development work for a 45‑lot industrial strata estate within a master‑planned community.
17 Middle Road, Hillcrest
Complete development work for a 38‑lot industrial strata project.
Smartstores@Citiswich
Complete development work for a 50‑lot industrial strata estate.
Smartstores@Metroplex
Complete development work for the Smartstores@Metroplex industrial development.
Zen Sherwood Apartments
Complete development work for the Zen Sherwood residential apartment project.
10 Market Street, Brisbane
Commercial strata arrangements for a multi‑tenancy commercial building.
Recognition & Awards
Strata & Body Corporate Setup Essentials
What Is Common Property
Common property generally includes all areas & infrastructure within a strata scheme that fall outside individual lot boundaries. Accurately defining these shared spaces on the strata plan prevents future disputes over maintenance responsibilities.
Ambiguous boundaries often lead to complex strata law disputes between developers & the owners corporation. Our strata lawyers can help you draft precise plans to mitigate legal risk from the outset.
Understanding Unit Entitlements
Unit entitlements determine each lot owner’s voting power & their required financial contribution to the strata scheme. These figures dictate how strata levies are calculated & how shared costs are distributed among strata owners.
Incorrect calculations can trigger costly litigation in the relevant civil & administrative tribunal. Legal advice ensures your valuation principles comply with relevant strata legislation across Australia.
Exclusive Use By-Laws
Exclusive use by-laws grant specific lot owners the legal right to use designated areas of common property. Developers often use these rules to allocate valuable spaces like parking spots or private courtyards.
These by-laws must be drafted carefully to avoid conflicts over the use of common property. A law firm specialising in strata matters can structure these rights to maximise your project’s commercial value.
The Initial Period
The initial period begins when the strata plan is registered & ends once a specific percentage of lots are sold. During this phase, developers face strict statutory restrictions on altering by-laws or entering into long-term contracts.
Breaching these obligations can expose the developer to severe penalties & legal issues with the new owners corporation. Experienced strata title lawyers can help you navigate this critical phase without compromising your commercial objectives.
Discuss Your Strata Scheme Setup
Our strata lawyers will contact you to discuss your development & outline next steps.
Legal & Compliance Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is The Best Time To Engage GRM LAW For A Strata Project?
The best time to engage our strata lawyers is during the initial site acquisition & planning phase. Bringing us in early ensures your strata scheme is structured correctly from day one, minimising legal risks & preventing costly delays later. Contact our team to discuss your development vision before you finalise your site purchase.
What Are The Developer Obligations During The Initial Period?
During the initial period, developers are legally restricted from making certain changes to the strata scheme until a specific percentage of lots are sold. These statutory duties generally prevent you from altering by-laws or entering into long-term contracts without proper authorisation. We provide practical legal advice to help you navigate these compliance obligations smoothly.
Does GRM LAW Handle Strata Setups Outside Of Queensland?
Yes, we provide national strata setup services for property developers across Australia. While headquartered in Brisbane, our law firm regularly manages complex strata matters in New South Wales, Victoria & other jurisdictions, including major projects in Sydney & Melbourne. Speak with us to see how we can support your interstate development.
How Are Unit Entitlements Calculated For A New Building?
Unit entitlements are generally calculated by a registered valuer based on the market value of each lot compared to the entire development. These calculations dictate voting power & levy contributions, so they must be determined accurately before registering strata plans to avoid a future strata dispute. Our team works alongside your surveyors & valuers to ensure these schedules are legally compliant.
How Does GRM LAW Structure Fees For Development Projects?
We structure our fees transparently, providing clear scoping & pricing for each phase of your property development. This approach ensures you have complete visibility over your legal costs from site acquisition through to the owners corporation handover. Reach out to our team for a tailored fee estimate based on your specific project requirements.
Can A Developer Create Exclusive Use By-Laws Before Registration?
Yes, developers can draft exclusive use by-laws to allocate specific common property areas to individual lots prior to registration. Whether it is for parking spaces or courtyards, these by-laws must be meticulously drafted to add commercial value & protect your developer interests. Our strata lawyers can prepare these specific rules as part of your community management statement.
Will GRM LAW Handle Negotiations With Councils & Registries?
Yes, we take a hands-on approach to liaising directly with local councils & state land registries. We navigate complex property law requirements & manage planning appeals to prevent costly project delays. Let us handle the regulatory approvals so you can focus on construction.
Can We Stage A Strata Development Project Over Multiple Phases?
Yes, there are legal mechanisms available to register a strata scheme in sequential stages. This allows you to fund, build & settle different phases of a large project over time, though it requires precise drafting of development contracts & by-laws. Discuss your staging strategy with our team to ensure the legal framework supports your commercial goals.
Who Will Be Managing My Strata Setup Matter At GRM LAW?
Your project will be overseen by highly experienced senior practitioners, including our founder Gavin McInnes. With nearly 20 years of experience in property law & corporate structuring, Gavin ensures your legal matter is handled with commercial pragmatism. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation with our senior team.
How Do We Set Up Caretaker & Management Rights Agreements?
We draft & negotiate these agreements prior to the establishment of the body corporate to secure ongoing building maintenance. Structuring these contracts correctly with your strata manager is essential to maximise the ongoing value of the strata title. We manage this entire process to ensure a smooth, compliant handover to the new owners.
Books By Gavin McInnes
Practical guides on structuring, asset protection and private credit in Australia.
Protect Your Assets
A plain‑English guide to protecting your home, business interests and investments under Australian law. Written for business owners, professionals and families who want to keep what they’ve built safe from avoidable risk.
Private Credit In Australia (Coming Soon)
A forthcoming guide to structuring, documenting and managing private credit transactions in the Australian market, written for lenders, sponsors and their advisers.
Explore Our Other Practice Areas
Deep expertise across corporate, banking & finance, property and related commercial work.
Private Lenders & Non‑Bank Finance
Strategic loan, security & enforcement advice for private credit funds, family offices & non‑bank lenders across Australia.
Property Developers & Projects
End‑to‑end legal support for property developers from site acquisition & approvals through to construction, sales, leasing & disputes.
Business Acquisitions & Disposals
Buy‑side & sell‑side advice on business and share sales, from initial structuring and due diligence through to completion.
Corporate & Commercial Advisory
Ongoing corporate, governance & commercial contracts advice for private companies, family businesses & investors.
Structuring & Asset Protection
Structuring businesses, investments & personal wealth to manage risk, protect assets and support long‑term succession.
Franchising
Establishing, growing & restructuring franchise networks, including franchise agreements, disclosure, compliance & exits.
IP & Technology
Protecting and commercialising intellectual property, software & technology through tailored licensing, development & sale agreements.
Real Estate Funds & Capital Raising
Advising real estate fund managers, sponsors & investors on fund structures, capital raisings & transaction execution across Australia.
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