On of the the most basic tools of management in relation to strata title property is the use of by laws which serve as a common set of rules that are used to govern the relationships between the unit holders in the strata property with each other and the outside world. Some of the common things that by laws regulate include access to the building, pets, payments into the sinking fund, the running of meetings and the elections to the board of the strata managers.

In New South Wales under the strata scheme management legislation and regulations, there are also model sets of by laws which apply to a number of types of strata schemes. The model by laws can be for Residential, Commercial & Retail, Mixed Use, Industrial, Retirement Villages, Hotels & Resorts and any other type of generic strata scheme which is registered in New South Wales. These model by laws are usually selected at the beginning of the life of a strata scheme and they are then slowly amended on as as needs basis of the body corporate of the strata scheme. An example of issues which residential model by laws cover are: noise, obstruction of common property, damage to common property, behaviour of owners and occupiers, the cleaning windows and doors, floor coverings, garbage disposal, the keeping of animals, the appearance of the lots and the provision of amenities or services. Once the rules are made, the unit holders then agree to abide by the rules in relation to the property. If there is a dispute, there are a series of dispute resolution processes which eventually end up in court. However, the strata schemes dispute panel is usally the first point of call in relation to matters like this. If you have a question about your strata by laws or you have a dispute with your body corporate, please do not hesitate to contact us about your matter. We would be more than happy to assist with any inquiry which you may have.