Q&A Yapping Dogs

Yapping Dogs I live in a very large Strata unit complex and there is an overload of dogs here – almost like a Canine Hotel – but all in all they are well mannered but there are those, that, at times bark and yap for an hour to 5 hours at a time. I find it to…

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Latest Strata Developments for New South Wales

  The Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Sustainability Infrastructure) Act, 2021 No 1 (NSW) (the “Amendment Act”) has introduced important amendments to the Strata Schemes Management Act, 2015 (NSW)(the “Act”). Keeping of animals You may have seen the media coverage of the landmark NSW Court of Appeal decision in Cooper v The Owners – Strata Plan No. 58068 [2020] NSWCA 250 (“Cooper”) which…

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Q&A Yapping Dogs

Yapping Dogs I live in a very large Strata unit complex and there is an overload of dogs here – almost like a Canine Hotel – but all in all they are well mannered but there are those, that, at times bark and yap for an hour to 5 hours at a time. I find it to…

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NSW: Q&A Can I Keep Pets in a Strata Building?

  Question: Are bylaws allowed to specifically prohibit ownership of dogs whilst cats and other animals are subject to approval? The bylaws in my building require pets (except for fish) to be approved by the strata committee. However there is a specific clause which prohibits dogs (with the exception of guidance & hearing assistance dogs)….

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NSW Q&A: Assistance Animals

Question: I have inherited a unit, that my cousin owned, (she passed in 2018) including her three cats, 1 of which has been there for 10 years, the others 4 years. It’s a unit with courtyard and yes the cats, generally live outside, but tend to stay in the boundaries, cause they are a little…

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NSW Q&A: Strata Court Dispute Over Dog

Question: Due to complaints from one neighbour, our strata is trying to take us to court over our small dog. Other neighbours confirm the dog is fine. Do I have any right to keep the dog and not get taken to court? Our strata is currently trying to take us to court over our small…

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NSW: Can I Keep Pets in a Strata Building?

  Despite the much anticipated “pet-friendly” amendments to the new strata legislation, animals are still not automatically permitted in strata schemes even if they are kept wholly within the boundaries of an individual’s apartment. To determine what the keeping of animals position and pet rules for strata is in relation to any particular scheme you must…

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Ask Premium Strata – Pets and Strata Bylaws

Pets and Strata Bylaws My super owns an investment unit within a strata which previously had an “Option B” pets policy but has recently changed that bylaw to “No Pets”. I bought the property, obviously, as an investment property and this new bylaw severely limits my ability to rent my property. Do I have any…

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Ask Premium Strata – Owners Corp & Animals

  Owners Corporation & Animals Question: I was under the impression that there was legislation that said an Owner Corporation could not make laws to prohibit animals on any lot. However, it is important to have rules around common property and other sensible rules around owner and pet behaviour Could you please advise? Answer: An Owners…

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NSW: Q&A ‘No Animals Allowed’ – not even a companion animal

  Question: There are a number of very vocal apartment owners in my building who are against animals of any type, including a companion animal. Answer: If you can demonstrate your animal meets the requirements of a companion animal for the specific outlined range of disabilities, the Owners Corporation cannot prohibit the keeping of your…

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