Five questions before a strata committee approves expenditure
A practical five-minute check for authority, budget, evidence, conflicts and a clear record before money is committed.
Do not begin with the quote. First identify the decision, confirm who has authority, check the approved budget and evidence, manage conflicts, and record the resolution and next action.
Think before you act.
1. Define the actual decision
Separate the problem from the proposed solution. Record what must be achieved, why it is needed and whether the matter is routine, urgent or a change to common property.
2. Check authority
Confirm whether the committee has delegated authority or the matter must go to the owners corporation. Special levies and matters requiring a special or unanimous resolution cannot be approved by the committee.
3. Check the money
Identify the correct fund, approved budget, available cash and any spending restriction. If a special levy may be needed, prepare the decision for a general meeting.
4. Test the evidence
Compare a clear scope, suitable quotes, warranties, insurance, qualifications and risk. A low price is not a substitute for a comparable, complete scope.
5. Record and follow through
Record the resolution, conflicts, responsible person, deadline and conditions. Then monitor completion and report back.
Watch for
- A quote without a defined scope
- A committee decision that needs a general meeting
- An undisclosed personal or financial interest
- Urgency being used to avoid evidence or a proper record
Escalate when
- Authority or delegation is uncertain
- Common-property change or a special resolution may be involved
- A special levy may be needed
- Safety, engineering, building regulation or legal interpretation is involved
Source-controlled learning
Reviewed against the following current official material on 24 August 2026. Open the source to check the latest version before relying on it.
Knowing the check is useful. Practising the judgement is better.
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