As the housing crisis increases the demand for high-density living, a series of seminars is being rolled out across south-east Queensland to help the people tasked with keeping the peace in condensed communities.
Archers the Strata Professionals CEO Nicky Lonergan said strata living was playing an increasing role in tackling the critical housing shortage, with more focus than ever on getting residents to live side-by-side in harmony.
Ms Lonergan said the key to this harmony was body corporate by-laws, which had undergone recent changes in Queensland this year.
“These regulations, which are unique to individual strata schemes, set out the bounds of behaviour that govern all residents and visitors in a scheme,” she said.
Ms Lonergan said the regulations, overseen by body corporate committees, had been in the spotlight after the State Government updated strata legislation on topics such as pets, parking and smoking.
“These changes included the right for committees to introduce by-laws prohibiting smoking and vaping in outdoor exclusive-use areas, including private balconies and patios.
“However, the onus is now on individual schemes to update their by-laws accordingly.”
She said body corporate by-laws were a critical part of the fabric of living harmoniously in a community environment.
“They make sure everyone is on the same page in terms of what’s acceptable and not.
“That’s not only from a personal perspective, but also with a view to protecting what, for many people, will be the biggest investment they ever make.”
Ms Lonergan said, however, it was not as simple as coming up with a by-law based on the personal preferences or good intentions of committee members.
She said necessary steps included a general meeting and Titles Office registration.
“While by-laws are individual to strata schemes, they need to abide by some common principles.
“They must be clear, legal and have a specific action to remedy if broken. Nor does the act of registering them with the Titles Office necessarily make them valid, which is something that may not be widely understood.”
Ms Lonergan said to help strata committees and residents understand the full ins and outs of best practice, a series of free community education seminars were being held across the state, starting on the Gold Coast today (October 9), with other seminars on the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane later in the year.
Learn more about the Community Education Seminars.
