According to the 2011 Census figures released today the popularity of living in strata-type
properties continues to shift with just under a quarter of a million more households calling
apartments and townhouses home since 2006.
This represents a 1.3 percentage point increase in the proportion of households living in
higher density homes. In the same period there has been a corresponding drop in the
number of households calling detached houses home. This has decreased by 1 percent.
For an ever increasing number of people this means the detached house on a suburban
block is no longer part of their Australian dream.
Strata Community Australia (SCA) Chief Executive Officer, Mark Lever says today’s figures
underscore the importance of the strata sector as more people chose this way of living.
“The sector faces even more challenges as people drift away from the traditional house on
the quarter acre block,” he said.
“We are experiencing the changing face of the way Australians live as many more choose
the sort of flexible housing offered by townhouses and apartments. Often they are nearer to
cities and major transport centres, which mean people have easier access to facilities,
workplaces and entertainment.”
The challenges come as more people are living in closer proximity to each other. This
brings its own unique set of issues. For example in NSW a recently released report aimed
at starting a wholesale strata law review confirmed that the three areas of most concern to
people living in strata had now morphed from parties, pets and parking to now include a
fourth – puffing – as smoking on balconies is now being raised as issue by some.
“The upsides to living in strata often outweigh the negatives and most people would agree
that paying for someone else to maintain the property, the inclusion of amenities such as
pools and gyms and living with a sense of community make this type of lifestyle far more
enjoyable,” Mr Lever said.
Articles are for information and do not necessarily reflect the view of Success Law.
Source: www.stratacommunity.org.au