By-laws

This is the 'legal' page about the building rules ('by-laws'). We'll try to keep it simple.

All strata schemes in NSW are governed by the Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2016 which covers anything to do with strata living (including enforcement of a building's by-laws).

Firstly, our building's by-laws are there to ensure peace, harmony and fairness for all. Owners and residents alike are bound by the by-laws. The by-laws are attached below and they explain what is permitted and what isn't.

Secondly, some things are strictly prohibited by our strata by-laws, e.g. parking in visitor bays if you're a resident of the building and, especially, making unauthorised alterations to 'common property'. What is common property?

The simplest way to understand common property is this: when you own or occupy a 'lot' (a unit) you own/rent only the space inside your boundary walls - you don't actually own the walls (just the paint!) or the floors, ceilings or utilities running into your unit. That's all 'common property' owned by the Owners Corporation.

If you want to do anything that affects common property you need to get written permission from the Owners Corporation. If you're not sure what's common property and what's not please ask the Strata Manager.

The bottom line is that you must not interfere with common property without the prior written approval of the Owners Corporation. Examples include putting up an awning that attaches to an exterior wall, installing air-conditioning, replacing your carpets with other coverings such as tiles or floorboards. Even with written permission By-laws may regulate the nature of your changes (e.g. impose minimum noise-transmission standards to flooring). These are in place to be fair to neighbouring lots and the Owners in general.

The Executive Committee does not have the power to give you permission to do something that is specifically prohibited in the By-Laws. (There are a few exceptions which are 'provisional' approvals only, but those, too, need to be in writing.)

If you want to do anything that is restricted by a by-law, or propose a change to a by-law, you need to submit a motion to be placed on the agenda for the Annual General Meeting which is held once a year (usually between June and October). The Strata Manager can help you with that.

If you're not sure about our by-laws please check with the Strata Manager (strata law is an area where it is definitely NOT easier to ask for forgiveness rather than permission...)