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 or rules for your building. This is usually accessible via your committee or strata manager.

In NSW, strata properties have varied by-laws and conditions regarding pet ownership. They may have certain guidelines on pet management with regard to noise regulation, cleanliness and maintenance of common properties.

In shared properties, it is important to be considerate of your neighbour’s health and peaceful living. You might need to be careful not to leave your pets unattended in common areas and remember to pick up after them to keep shared areas clean.

For more tips on what to consider while bringing home a pet, see our recent article, click here.