Who Is Responsible For Lawn Mowing In Strata Properties?
If you live in a strata property such as a townhouse complex, apartment building, or unit development, it’s common to wonder who is responsible for maintaining outdoor areas like lawns and gardens. Lawn mowing responsibilities in strata properties can sometimes cause confusion, especially when different areas are shared between multiple owners or tenants.
In most cases, responsibility depends on whether the lawn is classified as common property or part of an individual lot. The strata by-laws, strata plan, and management arrangements will usually determine who is responsible for mowing and maintaining these areas.
Understanding how strata responsibilities work can help avoid disputes and ensure lawns and outdoor spaces are properly maintained.
Understanding Strata Properties
A strata property is a form of ownership where individuals own a specific lot, such as a unit, apartment, or townhouse, while sharing ownership of common areas with other residents.
Common areas can include:
- Gardens and lawns
- Driveways and pathways
- Swimming pools
- Shared outdoor spaces
- Stairways and hallways
These areas are usually managed by the body corporate (also known as the owners corporation), which represents all property owners within the strata scheme.
The body corporate is responsible for maintaining shared areas and ensuring the property is kept in good condition.
What Is Considered Common Property?
Common property refers to areas that are shared by all residents within the strata complex. These spaces are not owned by a single lot owner and are maintained collectively through strata levies paid by owners.
Examples of common property lawns may include:
- Front lawns of a townhouse complex
- Shared garden areas
- Landscaping around apartment buildings
- Lawn areas near shared facilities like pools or BBQ areas
When lawns are classified as common property, the body corporate is usually responsible for organising lawn mowing and maintenance.
In many strata properties, the body corporate hires a professional gardening or landscaping company to regularly mow the lawns, trim hedges, and maintain garden beds.
When The Body Corporate Is Responsible
If the lawn area forms part of the common property, the body corporate typically arranges and pays for lawn mowing through the strata budget.
The cost of this maintenance is covered by the strata levies paid by property owners.
The body corporate may organise services such as:
- Regular lawn mowing
- Hedge trimming
- Garden maintenance
- Tree pruning
- Irrigation maintenance
In larger complexes, lawn care is often handled by professional landscapers on a scheduled basis to ensure the property remains well maintained.
When Lot Owners Are Responsible
In some strata developments, certain outdoor areas may belong to individual lots rather than common property.
For example, some townhouse or villa properties include small private yards or courtyards that form part of the owner’s lot.
In these cases, the lot owner is usually responsible for mowing and maintaining their own lawn.
Responsibilities may include:
- Mowing the lawn
- Watering grass and plants
- Maintaining garden beds
- Removing weeds or debris
Even though these areas are part of a strata property, they may still fall under the responsibility of the individual property owner.
Exclusive Use Areas
Some strata schemes also have exclusive use areas, which are parts of common property that are allocated to a specific lot owner for their personal use.
These might include:
- Private courtyards
- Small backyard areas
- Garden spaces attached to ground-floor units
Although these areas are technically still common property, the strata by-laws may require the resident with exclusive use to maintain them, including mowing the lawn.
Because of this, it’s important to review the strata by-laws to understand who is responsible for maintenance in these spaces.
What The Strata By-Laws Say
Strata by-laws are rules that apply to everyone within the strata scheme. These by-laws often outline maintenance responsibilities, including lawn care and garden maintenance.
The by-laws may specify:
- Who maintains lawns and gardens
- Whether residents must maintain their own outdoor spaces
- Restrictions on landscaping changes
- Rules about plant types or garden alterations
Since by-laws can vary between strata properties, it’s always a good idea to review them if you’re unsure about lawn mowing responsibilities.
What If The Lawn Isn’t Being Maintained?
If lawn mowing or garden maintenance is being neglected in a strata property, there are several steps residents can take.
First, check whether the area is common property or part of an individual lot.
If the lawn is common property, you can contact:
- The strata manager
- The body corporate committee
- The building manager
They can organise maintenance if it has been missed.
If the lawn belongs to an individual lot and isn’t being maintained, the body corporate may be able to enforce maintenance through strata by-laws.
Poorly maintained lawns can sometimes lead to issues such as pest problems, overgrown weeds, or reduced property appearance, which is why most strata schemes include maintenance rules.
Tenants vs Owners Responsibilities
If you are renting a property within a strata complex, lawn mowing responsibilities may also depend on the rental agreement.
In many cases:
- Tenants are responsible for maintaining small private yards or lawns
- Landlords or the body corporate handle common property areas
The tenancy agreement will usually outline what the tenant is responsible for maintaining.
For example, a tenant renting a townhouse with a private courtyard may be required to mow the lawn regularly as part of their lease conditions.
Why Lawn Maintenance Matters In Strata Properties
Keeping lawns maintained in strata properties is important for several reasons.
Regular mowing and garden care help:
- Maintain the appearance of the property
- Prevent weeds and overgrowth
- Improve property value
- Keep shared outdoor spaces usable
Well-maintained landscaping also contributes to a positive living environment for residents and can help attract future buyers or tenants.
Final Thoughts
Responsibility for lawn mowing in strata properties usually depends on whether the lawn is classified as common property or part of an individual lot.
In many cases, the body corporate manages and pays for lawn maintenance in shared areas, while individual owners or tenants maintain lawns that belong to their private lot or exclusive use areas.
Because every strata scheme is different, the best way to confirm responsibilities is by checking the strata by-laws or contacting the strata manager.
Understanding these responsibilities helps ensure lawns and gardens are properly maintained and prevents misunderstandings between residents, owners, and the body corporate.
