Strata Title By-Laws Part of the Family 15/02/2006 Strata title living is seeing more and more people living with their by-laws. No, that’s not in-laws, by-laws, the rules that guide life and assist owners in managing their estate.
A leading strata property specialist, Mr Richard Tooker, director of New South Wales Strata Management, says that the by-laws are standards agreed to by a buildings owner’s corporation to cover specific aspects of daily life.
“Strata title applies to high-rise buildings, townhouses, units and various other residential premises where people share the responsibility of the building collectively. The by-laws can pertain to such matters as vehicle parking, for instance, and other issues too.
“By agreement specific areas can be set aside. The complex may have a swimming pool or sports court, or perhaps some other particular area where use can be designated. Topics as specific as the keeping of pets can also be addressed.”
Mr Tooker says there can be problem areas such as the proper disposal of garbage or noisy behaviour too, and at these times special help from an outside source can be particularly helpful.
“This can be a major benefit of having a strata manager available to assist in mediation. Such a specialist can prove invaluable in assisting owners corporations in establishing and meeting the by-laws needed to facilitate the administration and harmony of the strata scheme.”
He notes that there are standard by-laws that apply to many strata title schemes and model by-laws too.
“People often ask how by-laws can be amended, added to or repealed. And we can help with the answers. Whilst some changes only require a special resolution of the owners corporation at a general meeting, others may require a unanimous resolution.”
Mr Tooker says his company often provides the advice needed by an owner’s corporation to get moving.
Prior to the introduction of strata title legislation it was not possible in Australia to hold a title deed for a part of a building. But thanks to progress, there are now highly modern methods for protecting owners’ rights while allowing more creative types of property ownership.
“We’ve been seeing a dramatic increase in the number of people who are deciding to live under modern strata title arrangements. The quality and position of the premises on offer is a major factor. Their affordability is another. And most of these buildings or complexes are under professional management.
“The cost of such services turn out to be surprising small when shared across the board. And economies of scale of this type rank very high in the decision many people make to buy into such a life style in the first place.”
New South Wales Strata Management (formerly Gilmour Strata Management) commenced business in early 1991, as a member of the highly respected J A Gilmour & Sons group of companies. Licensed solely and specialising only in strata management services, the company has steadily grown to become one of the largest such organisations in New South Wales.
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