Michael Teys is the founder of The Strata Professionals Group and the architect of the professional standard every office in the network operates to.
He brings more than 40 years in strata — including over 30 years as a specialist strata lawyer — a decade of strata business ownership, and an active programme of academic research into multi-owned property governance.
Michael practised as a specialist strata lawyer from 1994, advising committees, developers, and owners across the full spectrum of strata disputes, compliance, and governance, and served as a Fellow of the Australian College of Strata Law. He went on to own and run strata management companies across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia, managing a combined portfolio of tens of thousands of apartments. Running those businesses gave him direct exposure to the operational pressures strata managers face — and revealed the structural weaknesses that became the catalyst for founding the network.
He holds a Master of Philosophy (Built Environment) from UNSW, where his thesis examined how mixed-use strata developments create anti-commons risks that impede urban renewal, completed under an Australian Research Council scholarship. He has been accepted at the University of Oxford to undertake a Doctorate of Philosophy in Law. He has held research positions at the City Futures Research Centre (UNSW) and Deakin University, and presents regularly at international forums including Oxford, the House of Commons, and the International Research Forum on Multi-Owned Properties in Spain, Canada and Australia.
Michael writes The Strata Professional, a weekly newsletter on strata law, committee governance, and why true professionalism matters in this industry. You can learn more about him at michaelteys.com.
This combination of legal practice, business ownership, and research is the foundation of the franchise standard. Every element of how the network operates — from the no-commission pricing structure to the Balanced Strata Method™ — is grounded in something tested rather than assumed.
Paper notifications for strata meetings create unnecessary delays, added costs, and inefficiencies, often due to outdated legal requirements or strata managers benefiting financially from paper-based processes. A simple amendment to strata laws—requiring owners who can't use electronic communication to appoint an agent—could eliminate these disruptions and modernize strata management.
As PICA faces a potential $31 million revenue hit from a proposed ban on strata insurance commissions, CEO Bobby Lehane is pushing for government-backed owner education—but is it a solution or a smokescreen? With industry challengers innovating beyond outdated models, the real question is: who will shape the future of strata management?
Strata pet approval processes remain complex, creating unnecessary disputes and administrative burdens. Should outdated by-laws be scrapped in favor of a simple, law-prescribed notification system, or is the status quo here to stay?
Strata management agencies must adopt stricter governance, transparency, and compliance measures, as recommended in the latest McGrathNicol report. Key actions include conflict of interest policies, fee transparency, risk management updates, and enhanced complaint handling
Winning a new client can feel exhilarating, but the hidden risks of a bad fit can outweigh the rewards. Before chasing every opportunity, ensure alignment—because not all wins are worth the cost.
Requiring by-laws for lot owner renovations affecting common property adds unnecessary complexity and costs. Standardized strata regulations and approval registers could offer a more efficient and transparent solution.
Netstrata's financial dealings, as revealed in the McGrathNicol report, highlight the ethical dilemma of choosing between what's technically right and what's truly right. This case serves as a defining moment for the strata management industry—will it take meaningful corrective action, or continue down the easier path?
Requiring two quotes for major strata expenditure prioritizes price over quality and hinders trusted decision-making. It’s time to scrap outdated rules and let strata managers and committees do their job—choosing the best contractor, not just the cheapest. Scrap it or save it?
Many professionals fall in love with their careers but find themselves trapped in the relentless demands of running a business, risking their health, relationships, and personal fulfillment. This article explores the moment of realizing “enough is enough” and the importance of reclaiming time through mindset shifts and smarter systems to achieve both business success and a balanced life.
This article challenges the necessity of NSW strata laws requiring summary financial statements, arguing that they duplicate existing work without adding value. Instead, it advocates for full financial statements at AGMs to promote transparency and trust while questioning whether outdated regulations should be scrapped or retained.
