Thanks for the comprehensive article Jimmy. You’ve posted here, and before, that strata occupants’ worry about problem pets might overlook the provisions for their removal.
As far as I understand, getting pet problems dealt with is a matter of hours of labour and months of lead time for people on the receiving end, with an uncertain outcome. Here’s an example from my strata building in VIC.
Pets are allowed here if there’s a medical necessity. Consequently there are several medically necessary dogs on my floor alone. The six-month-old stone floors in common areas had to be resurfaced due to uncleaned messes, and cameras installed, at a shared cost to every lot (pets or not) because the culprit/s would not pay.
Most of the dogs are relatively quiet. Possibly this is the case for most strata pets. But in high density living, it only takes one. The Owners’ Corp requested video evidence to eliminate ‘he said, she said’. So far, video of three sessions of machine gun barking has been provided. After the first two recordings were submitted to the OC, the occupants not only didn’t take better care of their pet, they got a second barking dog.
The OC manager now says it’s a ‘civil matter’ and whoever isn’t entertained by the animals’ noise and distress will have to take the owners to VCAT personally. The owners can be asked but not required by the OC to consider their neighbours. The manager also says removing a pet is difficult—read unlikely.
Given one bad pet owner has a widespread effect; and the fact that issues like barking and soiling are common (not a criticism of pets, just reality); and the apparent longevity and complication in resolving problems, I take no comfort in knowing there are provisions and processes.
Any thoughts, strata gurus? Help!