NSW will stop dodgy apartments from opening

New South Wales is introducing regulatory measures aimed at preventing substandard apartments from receiving occupancy approval. The initiative reportedly targets construction quality failures and compliance gaps that have historically allowed defective apartment buildings to open and occupy residents, shifting the burden of remediation onto owners corporations and strata communities.

The measure reflects growing industry concern about the cost and complexity of remediating defective apartment stock after practical completion. By implementing stricter pre-occupancy assessment and enforcement mechanisms, NSW regulators are attempting to catch defects earlier in the approval process rather than managing widespread remedial litigation and repair backlogs post-handover. The approach aligns with broader efforts across Australian jurisdictions to tighten building standards and reduce latent defect liability.