The NSW Government is making significant strides to make pet ownership in units more accessible to residents.
Last month, the government introduced a new bill prohibiting owners from charging fees or bonds to residents who own pets. The government has stated that these fees are deemed costly, unnecessary, and unreasonable since property owners already contribute to strata schemes.
According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH), the government intends to introduce a new bill that will prevent owners from imposing fees or bonds on residents who own pets. The changes aim to streamline laws that have previously hindered housing supply efforts through the redevelopment of aging apartments.
In 2016, the government passed previous changes to increase housing supply by allowing 75% of owners to agree to sell their buildings to developers seeking to boost the overall number of units. However, these laws contained provisions that led to legal fees being paid by the majority when minority or single objectors raised objections. Authorities intended the reforms to protect homeowners from developers, but evidence suggests that, in some cases, they had the reverse effect.
Customer Service Minister Jihad Dib emphasized that the reforms aim to rectify a situation where “safeguards that were intended to support owners in renewing their strata schemes [are] being used against them.” The Strata Community Association has warmly welcomed these changes.
The move to ban pet ownership fees in NSW aligns with the broader goal of making housing supply more efficient and homeowner-friendly. As the number of strata schemes in the state has grown rapidly, the rules are being updated to meet the current demand.
Current Pet Permission Process in Your Building (NSW)
Before bringing a pet into your strata-managed property, it’s essential to follow the correct procedure to obtain permission from the owners corporation. The process typically involves the following steps:
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- Review the Scheme’s By-Laws: Start by checking your strata scheme’s by-laws. These by-laws outline the specific process for seeking pet permission and provide details about what information is required for approval.
- Write to the Secretary or Strata Manager: Most owners corporations will require you to submit a written request to either the secretary or the strata manager. In your request, you should include the following details:
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It’s essential to provide comprehensive and accurate information to facilitate the approval process. Once your request is submitted, the owners corporation will review the information and make a decision based on the by-laws and their guidelines.
By following this process, you can seek permission to have a pet in your strata-managed property while adhering to the established rules and regulations. More information, visit nsw.gov.au
This article is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. The article provided is general and for your information and interest only.