Can someone smoke on the balcony of their strata property? – Maria, NSW

If your balcony is part of your private property or common property with exclusive use rights, you may not have any problems with smoking as such. However, strata living is about community living. So, as a responsible property owner, you should take care to note if your balcony is near another owner’s property and if smoke is likely to drift from your balcony into their apartment.

Your neighbours may have concerns – passive smoking is a huge risk, especially for families with young children. You should check your by-laws on smoking – sometimes they may restrict people from smoking on balconies.

Here is an article on by-laws you may find interesting. Also, you may wish to learn more about the impact of breaching strata property by-laws.