Renovations – Rules, Rubbish, and Rage: The Strata Edition

Welcome back to Strata Living Uncovered —the podcast where the walls are thin, but the drama is thick! Today, we’re diving into one of the most confusing areas of strata living …renovations, - 

Ah, renovations in your unit—The sweet smell of fresh paint, the thrill of knocking down walls, and the absolute certainty that at least one of your neighbors will suddenly hate you. - finally, the chance to personalise into something that screams you. Maybe it’s knocking down walls, adding shiny new appliances, or installing more modern flooring.  Did you inherit floral wall-to-wall carpeting and sixties mission brown wall panels like me and are looking to DIY it yourself or are you employing tradespeople to come in a remove a wall?

Today, we’re talking about renovations in strata—a topic that can turn even the calmest committee into a pack of angry seagulls fighting over a hot chip. What’s allowed? What’s not allowed? And how do you survive the process without triggering a body corporate meltdown?

It's not just for you. You’re also making your apartment way more valuable. So, everyone wins, right? Well, not always. There are a few little things to keep in mind…..

Enter the 3 R’s: Rules, Rubbish, and Rage

Helpful Links 

Association of Australian Acoustical Consultants

‍New requirements for NSW Building Fire Safety Regulation 

‍Improving NSW fire safety in new and existing buildings - NSW Industry report of forming fire safety standards

‍The Screen Door now not compliant - Lim v The Owners – Strata Plan No 51159 [2025] NSWCATAP 14

‍Whether owners corporation unreasonably refused to consent - removing a wall - Camilleri v The Owners – Strata Plan No. 4987 [2023] NSWCATCD 99

‍NSW Law - STRATA SCHEMES MANAGEMENT ACT 2015 - SECT 109 - Cosmetic work by owners

‍NSW Law - STRATA SCHEMES MANAGEMENT ACT 2015 - SECT 110 - Minor renovations by owners

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