Get Your Renovation Approvals Right!

A recent decision by NCAT has provided guidance on what needs to be done for an owners corporation to approve renovations done by an owner.

This case involved a dispute between the owners corporation of a large mixed use building in Milsons Point and the owner of a commercial lot in the building who wanted to fit-out his lot as an office involving alterations to common property.

The case produced a surprising outcome and is likely to change the practice that is followed by owners who seek owners corporation approval to renovate.

So, does a common property rights by-law authorise an owner to carry out works affecting the common property?

Here we share the case and outcomes: Get Your Renovations Approvals Right

For all NSW strata legal including by-laws, building defect and levy collection advice contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.




Replacing Items of Common Property in Strata

The NSW Supreme Court has recently handed down a decision in regards to common property that will have a considerable impact on the practice of strata managers across the State. The Court’s decision answers the following often asked questions:

  • What type of resolution does an owners corporation need to pass in order to replace an item of common property?
  • Is the replacement of an item of common property a repair that can be authorised by an ordinary resolution?
  • Or does a decision to replace an item of common property need to be made by special resolution because the replacement of the item will improve or enhance the common property?

What was the outcome of this recent case that involved a dispute between the owners of an apartment building on a waterfront in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs… Replacing Items of Common Property in Strata?

For NSW strata legal or levy collection advice please contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.




Combustible Cladding Minimise the Risk

Many strata buildings built since the 1990’s contain some form of external cladding as part of their construction.

A significant number of these strata buildings contain cladding that is highly flammable and combustible such as The Lacrosse Building Fire in Melbourne in 2014, and the Grenfell Tower disaster in London in 2017 which now lay bare.

Building owners including owners corporations are now left to deal with what steps to now take to rectify the problem.  A number of buildings, including strata residential buildings of two storeys or more, with certain types of cladding systems, have recently had to register their building under the planning regulation.

In the meantime, whilst we wait for the outcome, what can you do to mitigate and minimise risk? Combustible Cladding By-laws

For NSW strata legal or levy collection advice please contact us here or call 02 9562 1266, we’re happy to assist.