Michael Teys is the Founder and Chairman of The Strata Professionals Australia. He brings together more than 30 years of specialist strata law practice, 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 to 2018, advising committees, developers, and owners on the full spectrum of strata disputes, compliance, and governance. He served as a Fellow of the Australian College of Strata Law from 2006 to 2018. From 2004 to 2014 he was the CEO and major shareholder of strata management companies operating across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia, with a combined portfolio of 28,000 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 Strata Professionals Australia.
Michael 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. He has held research positions at the City Futures Research Centre (UNSW) and Deakin University, contributing to published work on building defects, passive fire protection, and pathways to professionalism for strata managers. He presents regularly at international research forums and policy discussions, including the International Research Forum on Multi-Owned Properties, the House of Commons, and the International Institute for the Sociology of Law. His current research undertakes a comparative socio-legal analysis of catastrophic governance failures in high-rise, multi-owned residential buildings.
This combination of legal practice, business ownership, and academic research gives Michael a perspective few in the Australian strata industry can match. Every element of the firm’s operating model, from the no-commission pricing structure to the Balanced Strata Method™ governance framework, is grounded in something tested rather than assumed. Committees that engage The Strata Professionals Australia are engaging a firm led by someone who understands their legal obligations, has run the operations they rely on, and is actively shaping the future of strata governance through published research and policy engagement.
No Rehashed Ideas, No Vested Interests: The Strata Conference That Delivers Real Value
New Queensland Laws Create Chaos While Ignoring Critical Building Defects
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
New conflict of interest disclosure standards are coming into effect for NSW strata management companies on February 3, 2025, impacting how they operate and interact with suppliers. This article explores the 7 key areas managers must now disclose, going beyond insurance commissions to ensure transparency and ethical practices.
NSW Fair Trading isn't watching from the sidelines anymore. New powers let them demand documents, inspect buildings, issue compliance notices, and force professional management on dysfunctional schemes. For strata owners and committees, this isn't just regulatory theatre—it's a fundamental shift from passive oversight to active enforcement that changes everything.
Is strata income about to change? A Productivity and Equality Commission review could reshape how managers earn and owners pay. The verdict? "No free lunch for strata owners" - insurance commissions may vanish, but management fees will rise. What does this mean for your business or building?
Tired of low-paying strata management clients? Learn how to identify high-value opportunities and command higher fees.
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.
Mascot Towers owners face a harsh reality as their legal bid to dissolve the owners corporation due to insolvency fails. The court ruling highlights the personal liability of strata owners for the corporation's debts, emphasising the unique responsibilities that come with strata ownership. Despite the owners' unfortunate situation, their decisions, including settling lawsuits, halting remediation, rejecting buyout offers, and accepting government assistance, have contributed to their predicament. The judgement serves as a cautionary tale for strata owners, emphasising the importance of understanding their responsibilities and making informed decisions.
