Create separate titles for units, townhouses, duplexes, and commercial spaces in Canberra. Our registered surveyors prepare unit title plans that meet all ACT requirements for registration with Access Canberra Land Titles.
Get a Free QuoteUnit title subdivision (called strata in other states) divides a building into separately-owned units with shared common property. Unlike Torrens title subdivision which divides land, unit title subdivision divides buildings - creating individual titles for each unit, townhouse, or commercial space within a structure.
Each owner receives a separate title for their unit plus a share of the common property (driveways, gardens, shared walls, roofs, etc.). An owners corporation is established to manage the common property and enforce by-laws.
In the ACT, unit title subdivision requires a registered surveyor to prepare a units plan under the Unit Titles Act. This plan defines the boundaries of each unit (usually the internal faces of walls) and identifies common property areas. Once registered with Access Canberra Land Titles, each unit receives its own certificate of title that can be sold, mortgaged, or transferred independently.
Unit title subdivision suits various Canberra development types.
Unit blocks, apartments, and multi-storey residential buildings. Unit title subdivision creates individual titles for each unit, allowing separate ownership and sale. Common property typically includes foyers, stairwells, lifts, pools, and external areas. Each unit owner pays owners corporation levies for common property maintenance.
Side-by-side or attached townhouse developments. Unit titles are often preferred over Torrens title for townhouses because they allow shared driveways, visitor parking, and common gardens to remain under owners corporation management. Each townhouse becomes a separate unit with its own title.
Office buildings, retail complexes, and industrial units. Commercial unit titles allow individual ownership of office suites, shop units, or factory spaces while sharing common areas like foyers, car parks, and amenities. Popular in Canberra for mixed-use developments and commercial precincts.
The unit title subdivision process in Canberra involves several coordinated steps:
We review your development approval and building plans to understand the proposed unit structure. For new buildings, unit title planning should occur during design - it's much harder to retrofit unit boundaries onto a completed building that wasn't designed for it.
Once construction reaches practical completion, our surveyors measure the building to prepare the units plan. We capture all unit boundaries (typically centre of walls, floor to ceiling), common property areas, and accessory units like car spaces and storage cages.
We prepare the units plan showing each unit, common property, and any exclusive use areas. This includes floor plans for each level, schedule of unit entitlements, and supporting documentation required by ACT legislation.
The ACT Planning Authority endorses the plan to confirm the development complies with the original approval. This step ensures the as-built development matches what was approved.
The plan is lodged with Access Canberra Land Titles along with the management statement (by-laws), insurance details, and other required documents. Once registered, separate titles are created for each unit and the owners corporation is established.
Unit title subdivision survey costs vary significantly based on development size and complexity:
$4,000 - $6,000
Simple two-unit subdivision of a duplex or dual occupancy.
$6,000 - $12,000+
3-10 unit townhouse or apartment development.
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Multi-storey buildings, 10+ units, or complex commercial unit titles.
These are survey fees only. Total costs also include ACT Government endorsement fees, Land Titles registration fees, and preparation of the management statement (typically by a solicitor). We'll provide a complete cost breakdown in your quote.
Get a quote for your Canberra unit title subdivision
Request QuoteTorrens title divides land into separate lots - each with exclusive ownership of the land beneath. Unit title subdivision divides buildings - each unit owns the space within walls, but the building structure and land are common property. Torrens suits detached houses; unit titles suit attached dwellings, apartments, and commercial spaces.
Unit title subdivision can only be registered once the building reaches practical completion. The survey must measure the as-built structure, so changes after survey require amendments. For new builds, plan your unit structure early but don't complete the survey until construction is finished.
Yes, if the building was approved for multiple dwellings or commercial units. You'll need to confirm the original development approval permits the proposed number of units. Converting a single house to unit titles (e.g., creating separate titles for a granny flat) usually requires ACT Planning approval first.
From building completion to registered titles typically takes 6-12 weeks. This includes survey (1-2 weeks), plan preparation (2-3 weeks), ACT Government endorsement (2-4 weeks), and Land Titles registration (2-4 weeks). Complex developments may take longer.
Yes. All unit title subdivisions in the ACT create an owners corporation to manage common property. Even a simple duplex with two units will have an owners corporation. This is established automatically when the units plan is registered.