› Forums › By-laws and outlaws › How do we enforce a new by-law that curtails existing behaviour? › Current Page
Start by issuing information newsletters explaining why the new by-laws are necessary and that they have majority support. The tone of these should be as neutral and non-aggressive as possible.
Explain that failure to pass the new by-laws could expose the owners corporation – and make it clear, that’s all owners – to expensive litigation that they will have no choice but to defend if they don’t pass the by-laws.
You might also tell owners that there will be a grace period to allow residents to adjust to the new by-laws and their implications.
Once the by-laws are in place, get the committee to agree on that grace period – during which no breach notices will be issued – but warn residents that afterwards they will be liable to be issued with Notices to Comply if they breach the by-laws, which can lead to financial penalties and Tribunal orders.
And don’t get dragged into the “three warnings” nonsense. Notices to Comply are warnings – they just happen to have teeth if they are ignored.
