NCAT decisions this week: strata and body corporate, house rentals and bonds, faulty goods and refunds (28 October to 3 November 2026)

5 decisions published by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal between 28 October to 3 November 2026, summarised in plain English. Each one links to the full published decision.

Strata and body corporate disputes

• Owners corporation’s costs claim refused after a lot owner withdrew its appeal (NCAT, 2026)
  A lot owner appealed a strata decision that dismissed its compensation claim and ordered it to repair a concrete slab, then withdrew the appeal 26 days later. The owners corporation asked for its costs of the stay application and call over; the Appeal Panel dismissed that costs application and made no order as to the costs of the appeal.
• Lot owner refused a stay of an order to remove an unauthorised garage door (NCAT, 2026)
  A lot owner appealed an NCAT order that let his strata scheme remove a double garage door built on common property without approval, and asked the Appeal Panel to put that order on hold until the appeal was heard. The Appeal Panel dismissed both of his stay applications, finding the appeal did not raise an arguable case and that the balance of convenience did not favour a pause.
• Appeal won: strata repair case sent back after late evidence left lot owners no time to prepare (NCAT, 2026)
  Two lot owners asked the tribunal to make their owners corporation carry out approved repairs to a common property water leak, and their application was dismissed after the owners corporation filed a witness statement only days before the hearing. On appeal, the tribunal found the lot owners had not been given a fair chance to deal with that late statement, allowed the appeal, and sent the case back to be heard again.

House rentals, bonds and tenancy

• Tenant’s appeal against consent orders ending her tenancy refused and dismissed (NCAT, 2026)
  A tenant and her landlord each had applications on foot at NCAT, one about repairs and one about termination, and at a conciliation and directions listing they agreed to orders ending the tenancy on 30 October 2026 and wiping the rent and water claims. The tenant later appealed, saying she had been denied a hearing, that the Tribunal had no power to make the orders, and that she had consented by mistake; the Appeal Panel extended the time to appeal but refused leave and dismissed the appeal.

Faulty goods, refunds and consumer claims

• Appeal dismissed: tribunal could not order a homeowner to pay a trader who lost the consumer claim (NCAT, 2026) $1,948
  A homeowner won an order that a tradesperson refund $1,947.50 of a deposit for flyscreen and mesh work that was never finished. The tradesperson appealed, arguing the tribunal should also have dealt with his claim for money owed under a second contract; the Appeal Panel dismissed the appeal.

Every NCAT decision we have summarised: NCAT cases. Thinking of applying? How to lodge a NCAT application.