Any building can decide to dispense with strata managers and, in fact, 50 percent of strata developments in NSW don't have them. But that doesn't mean you are then only responsible for your own unit. The Strata Act makes all owners members of the Owners Corporation whether they want it or not and with that comes certain responsibilities for the upkeep of common property that you just can't shirk. Strata living is a very cost-effective way of owning and investing in property. If you don't like having to share responsibilities then you should be investing in free-standing homes. The strata management industry is gradually getting rid of all the cowboys and chancers – the best thing you can do is to employ GOOD strata managers and sack the incompetent ones.