This article discussing strata title bylaws has been prepared by Peter Greenham, Independent Inspections.
Strata title bylaws have been set in the back of the management of strata complexes, but play an important role of being consistent in the decision making process with regards to the maintenance of the building and the uses of common property.
When driving past a cluster of duplex units recently, there was one complex that stuck out from the others in the nearby region. The colour of the units were not uniform at all, with one side being white and the other side yellow. This was quite a contrast in this small conservative area and this example shows the importance of having by-laws for items such as a consistent building exterior, or you will end up with a kaleidoscope of colours and other inconsistencies in the exterior of the building.
Car parking is always an issue in strata schemes and the fighting for carparks and the abuse of visitor parking and common areas is a difficult situation to control even with by-laws, never the less we continue on with the improvement of management techniques and options for the benifits of all owners.
By-laws are a set of rules that a body corporate makes to control and manage:
- the common property
- body corporate assets
- services and facilities provided by the body corporate
- the use of lots.
The body corporate committee should provide copies of the by-laws to owners and occupiers, so all residents are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
A body corporate can make new by-laws, or change the existing ones at any time. To do this a body corporate must pass a motion to record a new community management statement that includes changes to the by-laws.