Anyone who has dealt with strata regulations knows that, at times they can be a little unreasonable and annoying. As frustrating as many of them can be, they do aim to take into consideration the wellbeing and safety of all residents. Here are some of the most common regulations that people find annoying!
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Band together with your neighbours and create a Nabo strata group
NOT BEING ALLOWED TO PUT WASHING ON YOUR BALCONY
Unless your balcony is not visible from the street, regulations in your building may stop you from hanging out your washing on your balcony. It’s considered an eyesore by many, giving an apartment a potentially cheap and tacky look. If you’re affected by these regulations it’s always worthwhile talking to your landlord. Tell them that using your balcony instead of a dryer will reduce bills and have a positive impact on the environment.
NO PETS
With over 30 per cent of Australian families owning pets, it’s strange to see that there are still many pet-free apartments out there. Pets are considered ‘problems’ and ‘pests’ by some, no matter what type or size. There’s not a huge amount that can be done to work around this unfortunately, apart from carefully reading the bylaws or rules of your property before purchasing.
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BEING FORCED TO MOVE ON A WEEKDAY
Being forced to move on a weekday, rather than on a weekend, can be frustrating if you work a Monday to Friday job. You may have issues requesting time off and that free help you’d have on a weekend from friends and family may not be available (if they have a Monday to Friday job too). However, if there’s a silver lining to moving on a weekday, it’s that you won’t attract too much attention and be a hassle to your neighbours, assuming most of them are at work!
NOT BEING ALLOWED TO BBQ ON YOUR BALCONY
For a long time it has been debated whether the smoke from a neighbour’s barbecue constitutes as a ‘nuisance’ under strata laws. Whether it is or not, the issue continues to frustrate both barbecuer’s and many of their neighbours. If your apartment and/or your neighbours are against you starting up that barbecue, pull out a frying pan and cook up a storm on the stove or band together with your neighbours and petition for a common barbecuing.
NOT BEING ALLOWED TO SMOKE ON YOUR BALCONY
This is a similar one to barbecuing on your balcony, with a debate on whether cigarette smoke is considered a ‘nuisance’ under strata laws. While you may find it frustrating that you can’t enjoy yourself as you please on your own balcony, it’s important to take into consideration your neighbours who are getting secondhand smoke from your cigarettes. If you really need to smoke, walk around the block or find somewhere on your street away from others.
NO GLASS IN THE POOL
Enjoying a cold beer while you dip your feet in the pool may sound like the perfect afternoon, but strata regulations often ban glass in the pool area. This may seem annoying and inconvenient, but in the end, it’s to ensure the safety of you and your fellow swimmers. In many cases, the pool also has to be drained if there is broken glass in the water – a costly task! Leave that drink for after your swim.
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NOT BEING ALLOWED TO USE VISITOR’S PARKING
While it might be a lifelong dream of yours to own two Audi R8s, unfortunately, that doesn’t give you permission to slot your second model into the visitors’ parking space. Having two spots below your building might be convenient, but it isn’t fair on the other residents who may have friends and family coming to visit. The owner’s corporation is in charge of enforcing these regulations so help out your fellow neighbours and find a parking spot elsewhere!
RESTRICTIONS ON RENOVATION
While you generally own the inside of your home, the walls, balcony, railings, windows and doors often aren’t under your jurisdiction. If you’re eager to change to your window frames, it can be extremely annoying waiting for an approval from your local council! You also need written permission from your corporation to change the plumbing, floor surfaces and structural work of your home. Why not create a Nabo strata group with other residents? Larger numbers may get decisions made faster.
NOT BEING ALLOWED TO HAVE FLOORBOARDS
While having floorboards in your home looks amazing and admittedly, they make cleaning up spills a breeze, living underneath someone who has them is not always so fun. Without the cushioning of rugs and carpet, walking on floorboards can quickly become a noisy, squeaky distraction for neighbours. It’s even worse when someone decides to break in their stilettos and all you can hear is the ‘clomp’ from above. I guess we’ll have to be careful with the red wine!
Band together with your neighbours and create a Nabo strata group.