On 24 August 2021, new amendments to the Strata Management Schemes Act 2015 (NSW) came into effect pertaining to pets. The new section, Section 137B, essentially states that by-laws which prohibit the keeping of pets cannot be enforced.

Owners corporations may still place conditions on pet ownership provided those conditions reasonably prohibit the keeping of pets on the premises. If your owners’ corporation currently has a by-law prohibiting the keeping of pets, it may now be invalid. If you wish to continue regulating the keeping of pets on your property, you will need to repeal the invalid by-law and implement a new one which complies with the requirements of Section 137B.

Getting started with Hunter Strata Management is easy! All you need to do is request a free quote via our online form. We’ll ask you for a few details including your strata plan number, strata title, type of plan, and other information about your property such as common facilities and type of complex. Once you’ve submitted your request, an expert strata manager will prepare a detailed obligation-free quote for you.

The Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (SSMA) regulates the management of strata schemes, strata living and dispute resolution on issues arising from strata schemes in NSW. The Act covers requirements for owners corporations, strata scheme and body corporate management, strata and building management committees, office holders, strata managing agents, building managers, financial matters, common property and other elements of strata management. Our trained strata managers will ensure your strata scheme complies with all relevant strata legislation from the SSMA.

The renovations you’re permitted to undertake as a strata scheme resident will vary depending on your strata’s specific by-laws. Still, as a general rule, cosmetic work can be done to the property without approval, while minor and major renovations will require approval from your owners’ corporation.

Cosmetic work can include things like hanging artwork on your walls, filling holes and cracks in your walls, painting interior walls and adding handrails within your own lot. Your owners’ corporation can determine what constitutes cosmetic work in its by-laws, so the easiest way to check whether your renovation counts as cosmetic work is to check your by-laws and the current legislation.

At Hunter Strata Management, we’ve been providing exceptional strata management services to our Newcastle and Hunter clients for over 25 years. We’ve serviced residential, commercial and mixed-purpose strata schemes of all sizes and we can help you, too.

With over 40 years of combined team experience and a wide scope of practice, we have the training and expertise to deliver strata management services that genuinely make your life easier. Over the last 25 years, we’ve built a strong reputation for exceptional customer service and fast, responsive care. We respond quickly to all emails and calls and keep you up to date with all the latest developments. Plus, with decades of local experience, we’ve built up an expansive bank of trusted local tradespeople and specialists which means you won’t have to wait for repairs and maintenance.

If you want a strata manager who’ll put you first and go above and beyond to make running your strata easier, then Hunter Strata Management is the team for you.

Yes! We can take over from your current strata management company with little or no disruption to your services. Strata management companies should make life easier, not harder, so if you’re not satisfied with the level of service from your current strata manager, you don’t have to put up with it. Our experienced team will gladly take over and provide you with the dedicated, responsive service you deserve and make running your strata scheme simple and straightforward.