Fey Knows said:
The Strata Manager, to whom all authority has been given by the Committee, simply says only ‘self-certification’ is required these days.
Firstly, the strata committee can take back any delegated responsibilities from the strata manager whenever they choose, and the owners (at a general meeting) can take back authority from the committee.
The question of self-certification only applies to work that doesn’t, for instance, involve installing bathrooms. Your strata manager needs to have a look at the legislation and regulations regarding major and non-major works.
The owners corporation can set its own reasonable parameters for the permission for work that impacts on common property, but at a very basic level, the tradies must be certified and insured. These parameters include hours for noisy work (drilling etc), disposal of rubbish, parking of tradies’ vehicles and use and protection of lifts.
Be very wary of the builder issuing a document saying that the work is “complying” and doesn’t need council approval. We had a party-boy neighbour remove a room, which would normally require a DA as its changing the configuration of the floor plan. He got a builder mate to issue a complying certificate, our idiot strata committee accepted it at face value, the council accepted the strata committee had no objection, and told us they had no dog in the fight and to take it up with the builder. We eventually sold our unit because of the noise from the expanded lounge room.
So inform the council of the plans and tell them that they are not approved. Then go to the lot owners with a list of the conditions, guarantees and assurances you will require before approving the works by special resolution.
Or prepare to enter years of conflict as the “self-certified” work causes problems that can’t be fixed.