If I understood correctly, I think gwyn is saying that the entire building of each townhouse is set a few meters within the lot boundaries. While I am less familiar with NSW, I think that would mean that the townhouse is entirely the lot owner’s to maintain. I don’t think that this depends on any verbal agreement or require any more documentation than the strata plan. If it is to the inside of the lot boundary, doesn’t that make it the lot owner’s responsibility to maintain, in NSW as elsewhere?