Who pays for common-area cleaning in a QLD body corporate?

In Queensland, the body corporate is responsible for cleaning the common property. It’s paid for through owners’ levies, not by individual lot owners. Under the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (Qld), the body corporate must administer, manage and control the common property reasonably and for the benefit of owners.

What counts as common property?

The shared areas owners use together: lobbies, corridors, lifts, stairwells, car parks, driveways, bin rooms, gardens and shared amenities. Keeping them clean is the body corporate’s job, not any single owner’s.

How it’s funded

The body corporate raises levies from owners into its administrative fund. Cleaning contracts are paid from there. That’s why committees answer to owners for the spend. An itemised cleaning quote shows owners what their levies buy.

Who decides on the cleaner?

The committee (or the body corporate at a general meeting) engages the cleaning contractor. It’s usually coordinated through the strata or onsite manager. Record the decision in the minutes.

General information only, not legal advice. Always check your scheme’s module and by-laws.

Written by Edward O'Rourke, Righto. → Related: Strata & body corporate cleaning