The hidden strata fees costing Australians | Four Corners 

Thank you 4 Corners for doing actual journalism in this country. If only the main stream "news" outlets would follow suit, maybe some real change could occur. I live in a Strata apartment and will be going through the books with a fine tooth comb now

44 minutes and 30 seconds of reasons not to buy a property on a strata title. It's even worse than I thought it was, and I was already opposed to it.

As a retired builder, I've said many times to people, never never never ever buy into a strata unit. NEVER.

There’s no incentive to police this and strata contracts are often clearly biased towards strata management . Thank you 4 Corners for shedding light.

I just sold my apartment, will never live in a strata again. A lot of waste, unprofessional conduct, imbalance of power, no/limited control over your own property.

This is what I call true journalism. Journalists should question and get answers for difficult problems.

Government asleep at the wheel, again.

My strata fees went up over 20% in the past 12 months alone. Now $10k a year, with no onsite pool, concierge or gym. What am I paying for? Where does it all go?

Its not just apartments, its villa’s and units as well

What a sensational piece of journalism. Here's hoping some politicians are listening in as well.

The journalist has really done his homework.

This type of journalism is why the ABC needs more funding, and why powerful people are always calling to reduce it

It’s why we sold our unit and got out. High strata costs, building falling apart and no trace of where the money went.

i bought a strata townhouse and i would NEVER buy strata ever again.. dont do it! They increase the fee with no justification and you have no recourse

It’s not hidden …. Hits you smack in the face every 3 months

About time ! Its been going on for decades , hope this strata policies are properly regulated

My time living in a apartment was the most excruciating and expensive time of my life don’t put yourself thru it you will regret it

This is what journalism is for… great job. Actual real useful journalism. Go get em.

Strata should be dismantled. Its a disgusting business

This is an excellent piece of investigative journalism and has restored my faith in the ABC, well done !

Australia - go 1km/h over the speed limit and they'll throw the book at ya; get shafted on your biggest investment, 'Shrug shoulders'

Four corners moment was well overdue... Well done

Finally someone is speaking about this wrongdoing

I shudder to think what Australia 🇦🇺 would be like if it wasn't for investigative journalists doing their job.

Imagine paying big dollars for a company to mistreat you and ruin your own home, absolutely insane.

Why can't assic do something to protect the property owners isn't that what they are meant to do.

Much appreciated 4 corners. You have done a great service to the public on stratas title.

My advice is never buy an apartment, ever. The same shit happens in the UK and America.

I'm about to sell my house in a separation. I will have to buy an apartment, and I've been terrified of strata. Some apartments here in Canberra have fees of over $2500 a quarter!

what a great and insightful investigation program this was. Shoutout to the 4 corners team!

Strata is a massive scam

Excellent journalism, as always. Four Corners is a treasure.

How do we clean this up? Owners corporation contracts should be month to month and can be terminated at any time by majority vote.

Full marks to Linton Besser and the ABC team.

More people need to see this. Thanks ABC

This is really disgusting. How can this be happening in democratic Australia? Where is the law protecting these people?

thanks ABC! pls do more. We need government to step up on this when the future of Australia is about apartment living now!

Fantastic programme. Imagine the Government appointed "Regulator" having an interest in a company that needs "regulating". It's like letting the fox into the henhouse. Just ludicrous!!

Great journalism, ABC. Love the work. Please keep fighting the good fight

Govt fails to keep up and protect owners

Fantastic documentary. Greed and corruption - what's new. Here's hoping that this can bring on some change for apartment owners.

Excellent reporting & exposure! Well done 4Corners! The Government must intervene!

This is just exceptional work from this person.

Where is the government in all of this, this is so corrupt, people shouldn't buy apartments.

I owned an apartment in QLD which was an absolute nightmare for all the reasons mentioned in this story. The system is broken

So nice to be able to comment on news too, I hate when other networks put out videos and disable comments

I’ve always bought only freestanding houses. I’d never touch strata properties.

Excellent reporting and overdue for a shake up and shake down of underhanded operators. So many people harmed by the lack of oversight and investigations. Well done Four Corners.

We had an elevator charge, but we don’t have an elevator

What a shame to see such corrupt practices in a wonderful country.

This is top notch 'investigative journalism'. A real eye opener!

Great reporting! More regulation is required in this industry. What a slimy bunch of suits.

This is why I love and trust Four Corners!

Royal Commission Now!

Wake up Aussies to what is really happening!!!!

Well made documentary ABC. Extremely informative. I had always wondered why it costs so much, now I've got my answers.

Top notch investigative journalism.

Shocking - we need to densify our development, but if this is what that means, we are stuffed

Real journalism from the ABC and even open comments? Great story, hope it triggers some proper regulation but wont hold my breathe, strata problems have been known for a few decades.

Strata is a scam

I pay like 2k pa Strata on my townhouse which goes to building insurance (which I have used to make a claim with no issues), lawn mowing and electricity costs for the lights down the driveway as well as some small admin fees which seem pretty reasonable, I guess I just got lucky? idk

This is why I got out of the strata units as an owner investment.

Outrageous strata costs and if something happen they do a special levy I would like to live in an apartment but due to strata no way

The government has to hold an inquiry into this matter……

Not buying apartment if strata laws not fixed

Good job at exposing them

Why do some people need to be So Greedy

Excellent analysis, thank you for sharing this corrupt conduct. Can't believe the lack of transparency... absolutely rife with profiteering...

This was a juicy one - nice work Linton!

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1824">30:24</a> was it really necessary to have the head of mathematics at UNSW crunch those numbers? 😂

Our state and federal government are constantly failing us.

Excellent Journalism team!

This is Australia. Why are people living here like they're living in London or New York. It's not on, we have a lot more land.

Bout time they did an investigation

Please fix this horrible situation!

Glad I left that country.

Thank you. We all feel so tricked and helpless.

Thank goodness I live in a free hold home on my own land

Four corners has done it again!

Absolutely horrific!

It is pure corruption

Day light robbery and no one to question, no accountability. It keeps increasing! Started with $53/ 4 years ago now almost tripled!!

Strata is outrageous. Well done 4 corners. I'll never live in Strata after this

royal commission now

Can we get rid off Strata ? They don't do much at all

Very good work by the abc. Bravo

You should’ve given us more time we would’ve told our story too

Time to look at my strata records I guess. :(

Timely expose.

That's why rent so bloody expensive eii

There should be more series to this

thanks you 4 corners my strata charges are going up every year adding unnecessary insurance

Never get a strata apartment or retirement home with a elevator $$$$$

This is disgusting. Thanks for investigating

Strata has to be handled by the owners only.

Crazy that we get to watch this for free.

Australian government is sleeping.

this has been going on for decades.

I’m wondering if this is a problem every where? IE Canada?

Umm, imagine these buildings in another 10 years, cheaper to get out.😌