🎙️ Fur babies vs. by-laws? 🐶🐾 It's the debate shaking up strata communities across Melbourne!

In this episode of Strata Life, we dive into the legal ins and outs of pet ownership disputes, common property rights, and how strata rules really work under Victorian law.

🏢 If you live in or manage a strata property — this one’s for you. Let’s clear the confusion and protect your rights the smart way.

I want to cover in this episode disputes over pet ownership. Strata communities often have strict pet policies that residents may disregard leading to conflicts that relate to noise, damage or unwanted animals in common areas. So, an example of it would be a resident bringing in a large dog, even though the building's bylaw restricts pet size. Other residents complain about the dog's behavior and hygiene. So, what could happen or what could occur is that the committee would investigate and issue a formal notice for compliance from the owner, from the resident, about the pet to comply with the bylaws so that that would allow the resident to rehome the pet or apply for approval. They also conduct a review of the pet policy and improve communication around it. So, it's important on the strata community side that there's an opportunity provided to the resident when it comes to compliance with the bylaws. An initial warning or a breach notice, followed a final breach notice that gives a fair opportunity for the pet owner to rectify the misconduct or misbehavior. Where it's clear that there is no intention to comply with the bylaws or rules. That's when the committee will make a decision to take further action. Now in respect of the pet owner, it is your responsibility that you bring into the strata community. A pet, it is your responsibility to be informed of what the bylaws or rules are when it comes to managing a pet, especially when they're using the common areas. So, to manage and avoid or reduce disputes over pet ownership. The strata community should provide reasonable opportunities for the pet owner to rectify the issues, and the pet owner should be aware of the rules that they ought to comply with since they're living in a strata community.

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🎧 Strata Life S3E28: Unauthorised Renovations – Know Your Rights! Renovating without approval? It could cost more than you think. 🚫🔨 Discover how to manage unauthorised works legally and protect your strata community.

In today's session, I want to cover unauthorized renovations. I understand that residents sometimes carry out renovations without first asking the approval from the strata committee that could lead to risks, safety risks, damage to shared spaces and violations of the building codes. So, an example of it is where a resident would knock down internal walls of their apartment or unit without the approval of the strata community. The renovations could impact on the building's plumbing and wiring and causing disruptions to other units. And how should this be dealt with? Well, the strata committee could require that the renovations be reversed, and repairs be made to common areas. and they update the renovation policies as well. The strata community could do that and require more stringent checks and clear communication about the need for approval before modifications. So, it's important that the strata community looks into the rules in respect of the procedures. Not only that, I do recommend that even during the annual general meeting, which is once a year, opportunity for all owners to get together, that Items that are required in accordance with the bylaws or rules in respect of renovations carried out within one's unit or apartment is addressed at that AGM. That way it is clear to all residents and owners that there are certain rules that need to be complied with or bylaws that need to be complied with when it comes to carrying out renovations because it could impact the whole development if the appropriate steps are not carried out. For example, a written consent may be needed from the strata community. So that is what I want to cover for today's session in respect of unauthorized renovations.

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🎙️ Strata Life S3E27: Disputes Amongst Residents Conflict in your building? From noise complaints to boundary issues, resident disputes can escalate fast.

In this episode, we break down strata dispute resolution, owners corporation obligations, and peaceful co-existence—with expert insights tailored for Victoria’s strata laws. 🏢⚖️

🎧 Tune in to stay informed, avoid legal pitfalls, and foster better community living.

I want to cover disputes among residents. Conflicts often arise because or due to noise, harking, pets, and the misuse of common areas. Such disputes can create tension between the community and require mediation or intervention by the strata community or its committee. It's important that where a dispute arises, the procedure of the dispute resolution, and that's usually set out in your relevant state's legislation on the dispute resolution procedure. But what is common in the principles of these types of disputes is that where you want to trigger that the strata community needs to be involved, you need to make sure that you file a complaint. And the complaint, if required by your state legislation to come in a prescribed form, you make sure that you use that prescribed form and also set out the background, include in the complaint of the background. The steps that you have taken to try to resolve this directly with the person you have an issue with, if it's practicable and also proofs as to your allegations and what outcome you want to achieve. But it's absolutely important that where you are able to, try to deal with it first, directly with that person, if possible. And if that's not possible, you should also include that in your complaint as to why it's not possible or not practicable for you to address that directly with the person you are complaining about. The proof should be included and you must so that you can demonstrate that you are serious with your complaint and you are serious about getting an outcome or achieving an outcome whether it's through the procedure or whether you want the strata community to take further legal action it's absolutely important that you add evidence to your complaints so it's a procedure but at first, the onus is on you to make sure that you establish a complaint and the evidences that you have and then follow through and monitor how long the strata community has to come back to you in respect of their decision as to whether they're going to do something or they will not do something. They do have an obligation to inform you as to the reason why they will or will not enforce the bylaws or rules.

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