Health crisis puts pressure on strata communities: expert

“There is a great amount of pressure placed on strata communities through the work from home and stay at home requirements of the COVID-19 restrictions,” Mr Mifsud said.

Strata buildings are not designed for having many residents at home working along with those who have children out of school, according to him.

As a result of the lockdown measures implemented across Australia, strata communities are now feeling a flow-on effect on the facilities, particularly those that are typically used only for a fraction of time.

Residents in strata buildings most of the time meant significantly increased water, electricity, sewage and internet usage as well as increased refuse.

“This is really putting a strain on facilities,” Mr Mifsud said.

“Residents are also constrained by the fact amenities such as swimming pools, gymnasiums and barbecue areas are closed under the COVID-19 requirements.

“The need for residents to also be in and out of the building to exercise or go shopping for essentials such as groceries means there is a lot more contact between people than usual,” he said.

Still, despite the challenges of strata living under the COVID-19 regime, there had also been positive ‘side effects’ to the ongoing crisis, the property professional highlighted.

For one, neighbours are getting to know one another better from passing each other in the building more often and with more time on their hands.

“The impersonal side of neighbours in strata not knowing each other and being too busy has been changing and we are seeing communities actually uniting in these challenging times,” he said.

“There is a realisation from the adversity that are we are all in this together.”