We’ve received a letter in regards to putting washing on a clothes hoist on our back balcony, just wondering if there’s any way this can be accepted as we don’t have a clothes lines. – Susan, NSW

We’ve received a letter in regards to putting washing on a clothes hoist on our back balcony, just wondering if there’s any way this can be accepted as we don’t have a clothes lines. The price of electricity is very expensive and there is no fresh air and sunshine inside a unit.. I personally think it is a silly law as we don’t have the clothes hanging off our balcony and nor do others here.

 – Susan, NSW

You will need to consult the by-laws for the scheme. By the sounds of the by-law this could be the model by-laws pre July 1997. This states that written approval is needed prior to hanging washing on the lot. First step, contact the strata manager or strata committee and state the reasons why you need to hang your washing on the balcony, also provide time limits to show compromise. If this fails, you can propose a motion to amend the by-law or adopt the newer model by-laws post November 2016. For your reference have a read of the by-laws here: http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/ssmr2016333/sch3.html