Strata levy recovery lawyers, Queensland
Unpaid strata levies, recovered in full.
We recover overdue body corporate levies for strata managers and committees across Queensland. Levy recovery is all we do.
Recovery costs are generally recoverable from the owner under Queensland’s body corporate regulation modules.
How can we help?
I manage a scheme or sit on a committeeRefer an overdue levy and see what we need from youI received a letter from SLQWhat to do next, and how to ask about a payment planWho we help
We act for the body corporate. If you have received a letter from us as a lot owner, there is a page for you too.
Strata managers and committees
Refer an overdue levy with three things and we take it from there.
- 1The owner’s name and lot details
- 2Levy notices and an arrears statement
- 3The committee’s approval to refer the debt
Received a letter from SLQ?
Please don’t ignore it. Contact us early, quote the SLQ reference on your letter, and ask about a payment plan if you can’t pay in full.
Call (07) 3218 3500
Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
From first letter to enforcement
Watch a matter move through each stage, or select any step.
- Arrears notices
- Committee approval
- Letter of demand
- Court claim
- Judgment
- Enforcement
Arrears notices
Your strata manager sends reminder and arrears notices. With the body corporate’s approval, penalty interest of up to 2.5% a month (simple interest) can apply to overdue levies.
Committee approval
The committee decides to refer the debt. Your strata manager sends us the owner’s details, the levy notices and an arrears statement.
Letter of demand
We write to the owner asking them to pay the arrears or contact us to arrange payment.
Court claim
If the debt is not paid, we file a claim and statement of claim in the Magistrates Court and serve it on the owner.
Judgment
We apply for default judgment. If the owner files a defence, we handle the matter case by case and keep the committee informed.
Enforcement
We can enforce the judgment, for example through an enforcement warrant, and we may contact the owner’s mortgagee.
The matter can end at any step once the owner pays in full or a payment plan is agreed.
Under the standard module, a body corporate must start proceedings within two years after a contribution becomes overdue. Refer debts early.
Why strata managers refer to us
Levy recovery is all we do
One area of law since 2011. Our processes are built for this job and nothing else.
Costs explained up front
We explain how recovery costs apply to your scheme before you refer a matter.
Clear reporting
Updates at each stage, so you can report back to the committee with confidence.
- 01Letter of demandThe owner has 7 to 14 days to pay or contact us.
- 02Claim filed and servedWith the committee’s approval, if the debt stays unpaid.
- 0328 days to respondUndefended claims go to default judgment.
- 04Judgment and enforcementIncluding enforcement warrants and contact with the mortgagee.
Your recovery team
Common questions
Can’t see your question? Call us on (07) 3218 3500.
When should we refer an overdue levy to SLQ?
Once reminder notices and follow-up from your strata manager have not worked, or the owner has stopped responding. The committee decides when to refer, usually in line with the scheme’s debt recovery approach. Under the standard module, a body corporate must start proceedings to recover an overdue contribution within two years, so it is best not to wait too long.
How does the levy recovery process work?
We send the owner a letter of demand, usually giving 7 to 14 days to pay. If the debt is still unpaid, and with the committee’s approval, we file a claim in the Magistrates Court. The owner then has 28 days to respond. If the claim is not defended, we can apply for default judgment and enforce it, which can include an enforcement warrant and contacting the owner’s mortgagee. Defended claims are handled case by case. See the full process.
Can the body corporate recover its legal costs?
Generally, yes. Queensland’s body corporate regulation modules allow a body corporate to recover overdue levies, penalty interest and the costs it reasonably incurs in recovering the debt from the owner. We will explain how this applies to your scheme before you refer a matter.
What can the body corporate do before referring a debt?
Your strata manager can send reminder notices and follow owners up by phone, email and post. With the body corporate’s approval, penalty interest of up to 2.5% per month (simple interest) can be charged on overdue levies, and discounts of up to 20% can be offered for paying on time.
How do we refer a debt to SLQ?
Your strata manager can send us the owner’s details, the levy notices and arrears statement, and the committee’s approval to proceed. Call us on (07) 3218 3500 or use the contact form and we will tell you exactly what we need.
I am a lot owner and received a letter from SLQ. What should I do?
Please do not ignore it. Contact us on (07) 3218 3500 or use the contact form, quoting the SLQ reference number on your letter (more information for lot owners). If you cannot pay in full, talk to us early about a payment plan. Acting quickly helps you avoid further interest and recovery costs.
Do you act for bodies corporate outside Brisbane?
Yes. We act for bodies corporate and strata managers across Queensland, not only in Brisbane.
Have an overdue levy to refer?
Tell us about the arrears and we will tell you exactly what we need to start.