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How to fill out a Form 33 (step by step)
Filling out a Form 33 is mostly about gathering the right information and stating it accurately. Here's the order that works, and what to have in front of you before you start. General information only — not legal advice.
Before you start: gather these
- Scheme details — the scheme name, community titles scheme (CTS) number, address and regulation module.
- The lot — lot and plan number, the owner's name, and the address for service of notices.
- Contributions — the levies set for the lot, the instalment dates, and whether anything is outstanding or in arrears.
- Committee — chairperson, secretary and treasurer, and the secretary's contact details.
- Insurance — insurer, policy number, building sum insured, public liability cover and expiry date.
- Fund balances — current administrative and sinking (capital works) fund balances, and the financial year end.
Step 1 — Identify the scheme and lot
State the scheme name, CTS number and the specific lot the certificate is for. Getting the lot/plan numbers exactly right matters because the certificate is matched to the lot being sold.
Step 2 — State the contributions
Set out the contributions payable for the lot, the instalment timing, and any amounts outstanding. This is the section buyers and their solicitors scrutinise most, so double-check it against your levy records.
Step 3 — Committee and contact details
List the current committee office-holders and the secretary's address and email for service. If your committee has changed recently, confirm it matches your records from the last general meeting.
Step 4 — Insurance
Record the current insurance particulars from your certificate of currency. Buyers want to see the building is adequately insured and the policy is current at the certificate date.
Step 5 — Funds and financial position
State the administrative and sinking fund balances and the financial year end. If there are any amounts owing to the body corporate in relation to the lot, include them.
Step 6 — Review, sign and issue
Check every figure against source records, then have it reviewed before it's signed and issued. Because settlement relies on it, a solicitor review is worth it.
Let the wizard do the assembly
Strata Secretary's Form 33 wizard asks for exactly these details once and assembles them into a clean, editable certificate, so you're not wrestling with formatting. You can also grab our free Form 33 checklist to gather everything first.
Frequently asked questions
What information do I need to complete a Form 33?
Scheme and lot details, contributions and arrears, committee and secretary contacts, insurance particulars, and administrative and sinking fund balances. Our free checklist lists them all.
Can I complete a Form 33 myself?
Owners and committees often prepare certificates themselves. Strata Secretary helps you assemble one, but it's a self-help tool — have a solicitor review it before issuing.