This submission calls for urgent reforms to the Owners Corporation Act to protect Lot Owners experiencing financial hardship. It highlights systemic issues including aggressive debt recovery practices, lack of access to dispute resolution, and inflated fees driven by conflicted service contracts. The submission recommends introducing a legislated right to hardship assistance, banning legal action during hardship negotiations, improving manager conduct, and establishing a dedicated regulator. Drawing on extensive casework and data, the submission argues that current practices are contributing to housing insecurity and calls for reforms aligned with recent changes in New South Wales.

This submission is jointly authored by Financial Counselling Australia, Financial Counselling Victoria, and Mortgage Stress Victoria, with thanks to Consumer Action Law Centre for the use of data and case studies.