Navigating Building Defects: NSW’s Journey with the Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme

by | Oct 17, 2023 | All Posts, Strata Building Bond and Inspection Scheme, Strata Services

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Australia has been plagued with building fires and major defect events in recent years. As a result of many reports and recommendations, the NSW government has responded and committed to strengthening the building sector through a sweep of reforms.

The Scheme

Amongst the changes is The Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme (SBBIS), which came into effect on 1 January 2018 under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 No. 50.

Through these changes, the government aims to restore consumer confidence by improving the quality of residential apartment buildings.

How prevalent are building defects?

The Deakin and Griffith University report, ‘An examination of building defects in residential multi-owned properties’ (Johnston and Reid, 2020) found:

  • 97% of residential apartment buildings in NSW have at least 1 defect across multiple locations.
  • 50-60% of defects are attributed to design issues.
  • 40-50% of defects arise due to poor construction practices.

What are the most common defects?

Building defects manifest in various forms, but some of the most prevalent issues include:

  • Cladding
  • Fire protection
  • Water ingress (waterproofing, drainage, water stops)
  • Construction joints, control joints, expansion joints

What is the Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme?

Developers of new residential strata buildings that are 4 stories or higher are required to comply with the Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme and our team at Archi-QS is qualified to help with many stages of The Scheme, including:

  • Stage 3: Interim Inspection and Report
  • Stage 5: Final Inspection and Report
  • Stage 6: Determine Cost of Rectification

What is the purpose of the scheme?

By implementing The Scheme and various other initiatives, NSW is taking significant steps toward addressing building defects and improving the overall quality of residential apartment buildings within the state. By giving priority to compliance and quality assurance, we can collaboratively strive to rebuild trust within the construction industry and guarantee the safety and contentment of homeowners.