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.
A thought-provoking exploration of the age-old dilemma in strata management: people or portfolio first? This article delves into the importance of prioritizing profit to achieve sustainable growth, avoiding common pitfalls, and ensuring client satisfaction. Discover the secrets to success in strata management
The fallout from the ABC's investigative story continues, with discussions underway to ban strata insurance commissions. This article explores the factors influencing the potential ban, including the ACCC's involvement, national crises, and the impact on the Strata Communities Association Australasia.
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This article exposes the potential pitfalls of using comparison brokers to find new strata management services. It highlights conflicts of interest, questionable business practices, and the potential for unrealistic expectations among owners.
This article explores the potential risks of overly close relationships between strata lawyers and managers. It examines how these relationships can influence strata decision-making and compromise the interests of owners.
Strata managers under fire for aggressive debt collection tactics. We review ineffective template reminders and provide tips for improvement. Plus, take our poll on the effectiveness of repayment plans.
This article critically examines the Strata Community Association Australasia (SCA) in the wake of the Steadfast insurance brokerage scandal. It highlights the organisation's lack of leadership, the discredited Professional Standards Scheme, and the identity crisis it faces.
This article explores the ongoing push for strata management to achieve professional status. It delves into the key components of a profession, the benefits of professionalisation, and the steps required to achieve this goal. The article also discusses the current state of strata management in terms of these criteria and outlines the necessary actions to elevate the industry to professional standards.
Short-term strata management agreements with termination options are gaining unexpected support. We're exploring the pros and cons of this approach.
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