Unapproved renovations are quite common in smaller schemes. In talking to a number of people there is a wink and a nod between residents and even strata committee members when it comes to renovations. You do yours and I’ll be doing mine and we’ll keep it between ourselves. Again it happens on smaller schemes and also ground floor units that will have less effect on other units. Residents, understandably feel agrieved they have to fork out money even when a building has a blanket bylaw for renovation before they even start the reno and its costs.
I clarified this with our strata manager who had this reply.
“The building does have the major renovation by-law so any lot owner wanting to complete major renovations do not need to individually get one drafted.
They do still need to complete the renovation application, submit all plans and get the by-law approved at a General Meeting and then the works registered as part of special by-law 9 with LRS. This is to ensure the lot owner and any future lot owners are responsible to repair and maintain the works going forwarded rather then the owners corporation. “
People get flustered when you tell them this and it’s not surprising owners think it all too hard and cumbersome and do it on the quiet knowing the risk.
I would not risk doing it on the quiet on a second level or above unit as you have units below that could bare the brunt of a reno gone wrong.