Building rules and by-laws
Building rules and by-laws
Find answers for issues with by-laws about pets, smoking, troublesome parking, and changing or adding by-laws, and more
I wish to re-erect a fence, buy my neighbour/s in the other unit/s have objected. What rights do I have? Can I erect a fence on my land? – Philip, QLD
Most fences fall under the Dividing Fences Act in New South Wales (there is similar legislation in other states), so it’s …
Does strata management have a role to check the prices are fair that owners are quoted for work to be done on our building? – Helen, NSW
At the committee’s request, your strata manager can assist in providing quotes from accredited and reputable suppliers.
I live by myself in a strata townhouse and would like to own a dog as a companion. Do I need permission for this? – Melissa, NSW
When it comes to owning and managing pets in strata properties, the first thing to do is to check the by-laws …
I own an apartment in Sydney. Our neighbours smoke right next to our main bedroom and of course the smell wafts in. We can never leave the windows open because of that. Strata has sent 2 letters in regards to the smoke situation but there’s been no improvement. What can strata do at this point? Can I get strata to install non smoking signs in all the entrances of the building? – Michael, NSW
It depends on where your neighbours are standing while they smoke – are they doing this within the premises of their …
Who is responsible for maintaining gutters in the front of my townhouse and fixing the leaking roof that is damaging the carpet inside? – Debbie. C, NSW
If the gutters are part of common property, your strata committee or owners corporation would be responsible for maintaining this. It …
The occupants of the apartment immediately below mine sometimes smoke in their balcony and the smoke gets into my apartment. I like to keep my balcony door open for fresh air. How can I get them to stop? – Johannes, NSW
If they’re smoking on their own balcony or within the premises of their own property, there’s not much the strata committee …
How can body corporates stop Airbnb or short term rentals in Queensland? Glen, QLD
In Queensland, body corporates cannot stop or restrict short-term rentals. While the body corporate oversees and maintains the common property and …
I live in a community development. The community association want to install better pool security. This includes access fobs for which they want to charge a fee in addition to community levies. Those without a fob will not be able to access the facility. Can they do this? – Chris, NSW
Yes, the community association can install pool security, and every property would need to get a fob for access to the …
Can the parking by-laws of common property not be amended without all owners voting? And does the majority vote take precedence? Would the motion be an ordinary resolution vote or a resolution without dissent? – Kelly, NSW
Some owners in our strata complex want to make changes to the common area by-laws in relation to visitors parking. The …
Whom do I need to notify if I want to commence short-term leases on my 2 bedroom apartment? – Janita, NSW
You are free to do so if you own the property, as long as you’re following your property by-laws and planning regulations …
I own my villa which is under the strata scheme. My question is can I use my home for Airbnb while I’m living in it? – Trevor, NSW
Yes, you can use your villa for short-term letting purposes. However, since your villa is under a strata scheme, you need …