Know How to Make Strata Renovations Easy and Simple

Want to renovate your apartment or unit? Make sure you get approval from strata before starting renovation work in Sydney.

While living in a strata building has numerous benefits, it can also make some aspects of property ownership a little confusing. If you want to renovate your unit or apartment, you will first need to obtain strata approval for renovations before you start swinging a hammer.

Renovation can be complex and time-consuming exercise at the best of times, but it can be even more complicated when you live in a strata-titled property. Not only will you require to take into account the needs and complaints of neighboring properties, however, you will also need to get approval from the owners’ corporation before work can begin.

Owners’ corporation approval is needed because the work could affect the appearance of the structure and could also cause disturbances to your neighbours. Under most strata plans, you own the inside of the apartment, but not the structure of the building. This implies that the external walls, ceiling, roof and floor are all common property, however the internal walls, bathtubs, bench tops, carpets and different fixtures are all owned by you.

Any changes to common walls, floors, roofs or other common property will need owners’ corporation approval. Simultaneously, you may likewise need approval when you need to renovate property that you own. For example, replacing washroom tiles could potentially impact the waterproofing of your washroom and may have flooded implications for individuals in other units, so owners’ corporation approval will be needed.

Strata Renovations are classified into three levels:

Cosmetic Renovations – approval not required. This incorporates minor additions, for example, hanging pictures.

Minor Renovations – general resolution needed. These incorporate changes that don’t have any impact on a property’s outer appearance or its waterproofing, and that do not need any structural changes. This could incorporate a kitchen renovation or installing new floorboards.

Major Renovations – For major changes to your property you need special resolution (75% of the owners’ corporation approval). Any renovations that include structural changes or that affect outer appearance or waterproofing will fall into this category.

Strata Managers can quickly turn around renovation applications for their owners and allow owners greater flexibility to renovate their property.

So, ensure productive Strata Management in Sydney to successfully renovate your strata property.