When you’re dealing with body corporates in Queensland one of the first thing that most people in the industry will ask is “What’s the name of your building or complex?”. That’s because, in Queensland, body corporate names are how schemes are indexed.
But wait you say, my body corporate doesn’t have a name. Actually in Queensland all body corporates have names. It’s a requirement for registration.
A full body corporate name is “Body Corporate for <name> Community Title Scheme <number>”.
So for example Q1, is actually called “Body Corporate for Q1 Community Title Scheme 34498”.
The name and CTS number are used together as it is possible to have two buildings with the same name. CTS numbers, or CMS numbers as the Department of Natural Resources & Mines calls them, are unique identifiers.
How to find body corporate names?
Finding the name of a body corporate is no easy task. This is actually something that’s particularly annoying for anyone doing a strata search in Queensland, since finding the name of the scheme is integral in finding the strata manager.
A simple title search will turn up the name of the lot owner and the lot owners details. It will also return the CTS number of the body corporate, if the lot is part of a body corporate.
Body corporate names are shown in the Community Management Statement (CMS) or survey plan for each particular scheme. A CMS can be purchased from Department Natural Resources & Mines or a subsidiary.
Unless stated otherwise all the information on this website relates to Queensland legislation.
We are wanting to select a name for a forthcoming BC; there must be a Register somewhere where we can check if our chosen name is not already taken. Can you advise please.
Hi Doug
Unfortunately the only register is the one kept by the DNRM and searching it is expensive and difficult. I’m not even sure how you’d go about it.
It’s not too much of a problem though because a body corporate name is more than just the name part. Each scheme is called … Body Corporate for Community Title Scheme . The numbers are strictly controlled and cannot be duplicated. There are many schemes in QLD with the same name however
This is horrible advice.
If your just looking to see if a name is already used it’s not hard to search for a CMS name. It’s also free. You only pay to purchase a copy of the scheme.
Hi Doug,
If you’d read the above you would not need to ask the question…..
We are a body corporate and have the CTS number etc however we are wanting to give the building a name different to the name with the CTS number. The current name is the actual address and then the number. Is this possible and thank you
Hi Sandi
Yes you can change the name of a scheme.
Firstly you will need to pass a motion at general meeting. The owners have to agree. Then you will need to register a new Community Management Statement. Then it becomes all official.
Hello,
Our body corporate committee wish to remove the body corporate name from the front of the building. Is this allowed?
Hi Bruce
Refer to the by-laws of the scheme. Its likely to have a by-law about appearance. The committee may be able to change, but it will depend on the wording of the by-law.
A general meeting motion that lets owners decide is the best way forward.
Alternatively, if the committee do remove the sign, and you don’t want them to, put forward a motion at general meeting that the sign be reinstated. If other owners support you the committee will have no option.
Thank you Lisa for your prompt response. I am not concerned either way about the name. I am just trying to confirm that there is no legislative requirement to name the name displayed. I can not find anything. Our by laws are 50 years old and very basic in nature and do not cover this.
For future reference, there are no current requirement for a building to display the name of the CTS. Unfortunately, I do not know when this requirement become obsolete, but presumably in the 1990’s.
To check if a CTS name is available, simply call the Titles Office on 1300 255 750. As an industry professional, they will tell us if a name is available, then we lodge a Reservation of Name form if we need to hold it for awhile. I believe the Reservation of Names last for two years, then you have to request an extension. If you want to lodge your New CMS immediately, you can do so without requesting a Reservation of Name, as long as the name is still available.
I have also heard that the Titles Office may accept the same CTS name as long as the buildings are quite distant from one another e.g. in a different city, but its their judgement either way.