Question: In NSW strata, how many committee members are needed to agree for the approval of building repairs or works? What is the NSW strata law regarding how many committee members can approve building repairs or works? In our building of eight lots, we have always stood by four committee member approvals as a…
Question: Do we need permission to tile over the top of tiles in our townhouse bathroom and laundry? We will not be disturbing the waterproofing or original tiles? Answer: Tiles are hard surface flooring and therefore considered a “minor renovation” under the legislation. If the strata committee has been delegated the power to approve…
Question: Our neighbour drilled into our balcony to install an awning shade. What do we do now? Who is responsible if there is future damage due to the installation? Our downstairs neighbour got approval to set up an awning for her backyard. In her request she stated that drilling was ‘probably not required’, however,…
Question: Our sinking fund has run out of money and we need a lot of repairs and maintenance done to common property. the window paint has all peeled off and in some cases starting to rot, lintels are rusting, there is a very large common area window that needs to be replaced (totally rusted)…
Question: Can approval be granted for lot owner renovation – with a condition that works are NOT to commence before a certain date? A lot owner has made a application for a bathroom renovation with By-law included etc. At the upcoming AGM, can approval for the renovation be granted with a condition that works…
Question: A builder has confirmed I have water between my tiles and the waterproofing layer in my bathroom. I have contacted strata. What do I do now? I had noticed something wrong with the grout in my bathroom and my metal door frames are starting to get corrosion on them. I organised for a…
Question: My balcony cannot be viewed from any common property. Can I retile my balcony as long as the finish is in keeping with the building without OC approval for the renovations being asked? I appreciate that maintenance and replacement of my balcony structure and it’s waterproof membrane are the responsibility of our Strata….
Question: At no cost to the owners corporation, we’d like to paint an unpainted common area exterior wall. How can we get this action sanctioned and take advantage of this improvement? It has been suggested that we have some unsightly unpainted interior walls in our complex spruced up with a coat of paint. Currently,…
Question: I’m renovating my unit’s flooring. The flooring has magnesite and needs to be repaired by the Owners Corporations first. Should they draft the bylaw for the renovation? I am renovating my entire Unit’s Flooring. The Strata Committee is requesting that prior to doing any flooring renovations, the magnesite needs to be completely removed…
Question: My townhouse has a compact garden with a tiled patio and lawn (within my lot). Can I take up the patio and reconfigure my outdoor landscaping to better suit my taste? Do I need approval? Answer: Yes, you need approval by way of a by-law Yes, you need approval by way of a…
Question: Fire updates within our complex led to the installation of a box cover over my bathroom vent which caused massive problems with mould in the bathroom. How can I get this fixed? I finished renovating my unit last year. Not long after we had fire updates done throughout the complex. This led to…
Question: For the past 10 years, I have been sticking down loose and drumming tiles in my bathroom. I now feel the time has come to renovate my bathroom, laundry and toilet which all have damaged and or broken tiles. Should the body corporate pay for the removal of the old tiles and waterproof and…
Question: To undertake major and minor renovations, do we need a separate by-law submitted for each item or can it all be included in one special renovation by-law? When an owner wants to renovate to undertake major and minor renovations does this need a separate by-law passed for each bit of work or can it…
Question: Is there a requirement to notify residents of the commencement date of noisy renovation/repairs to the apartments and common areas? Is there a requirement to notify residents/lot owners of the commencement date of noisy renovation/repairs to the apartments and common areas? Recently we had a neighbour jackhammering with less than a 12-hour notice, and…
Question: We discovered a leak in the ceiling of our newly renovated bathroom. Strata will fix but will cover the repair hole with a vent. We’d like it returned to the condition it was in prior to the leak. I recently noticed a drip through a light fitting in my main bathroom. We completely renovated…
Question: We’ve never received approval for an air conditioner. We’ve recently been told to move the exterior unit as it is not keeping with the appearance of the lot. We own a strata unit in NSW and back in 2017 we installed an air conditioner with the outside unit mounted high on the balcony and…
Question: I’m concerned about the correct process of strata approval for renovations in our scheme. Renovations involving waterproofing isn’t being considered a major work under the new legislation, and therefore not being considered by the Owners Corporation as a special resolution. I’m a member of a Strata Committee in an apartment complex which was registered…
Question: Do I need strata approval for the renovations of my bathroom if I am simply replacing like for like and retiling over the existing floor tiles? Is this work considered a minor cosmetic renovation? Answer: It seems unlikely that your works could be carried out without any impact whatsoever on the existing waterproofing….
Question: What steps do we take to organise a leaky roof repair? What if some owners refuse to pay? Answer: The roof repairs will be common property and a repair that jointly the Executive Committee and the appointed Strata Manager would arrange for its repair. The roof repairs will be common property and a repair that…
Question: Are there any templates available of renovation bylaws? Answer: Yes, you may purchase detailed renovation bylaws which regulate the carrying out of renovations and modifications Yes, you may purchase detailed renovation by-laws which regulate the carrying out of renovations and modifications to a lot which may specifically authorise the executive committee to sign off…