On 5 June 2020, temporary measures were put in place to allow an owners corporation or community association to sign documents rather than affixing a seal. These rules have been extended until 12 November 2021.
The effect of these changes, together with amendments to the Conveyancing Rules, mean that owners corporations and community associations can sign land dealings and plan documents electronically.
The new clauses 72 of the Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2016 and 24 of the Community Land Management Regulation 2018 set out the alternative requirements. For strata schemes, the changes mean that an instrument may be signed as follows:
Where the owners corporation comprises only one owner, by that owner or the managing agent.
- Where the owners corporation comprises two owners, by both of those owners, or the managing agent;
- Where the owners corporation comprises more than two owners, by
- two persons, being owners of strata lots or members of the strata committee, that the owners corporation determines for the purpose; or in the absence of a determination, the secretary of the owners corporation and any other member of the strata committee; or
- the managing agent.
Similar requirements apply for community, precinct and neighbourhood associations, subject to the number of members in each association. These temporary changes do not alter any existing requirements for execution and certification, verification of identity or establishing the right to deal.
Find out more
For more information about electronic signing and witnessing documents the following announcement and Guidance Notes have been published by the Office of the Registrar General.
Customer enquiries
Getting in touch with NSW Land Registry Services is easy. Call us on (02) 8776 3575, contact us online or visit www.nswlrs.com.au