@kiwipaul said:
I don’t see WHY you need a bylaw to do any internal renovations that doesn’t affect the structure or outward appearance of the property. What you do within your own home is yours business (so long as it doesn’t affect other residents adversely). I’d ignore this rule the same as your neighbors have done.
QLD just requires a simple majority vote authorizing these type of alterations and then only if it’s visible form outside the lot or structural.
I think the blanket demand for a special resolution by-law for all renovations isn’t only excessive and a disincentive to asking for permission, it’s probably not strictly legal.
However, if the renovations impact on common property in any way, then it is absolutely essential as it’s the only truly effective way the other owners can protect themselves against bad workmanship and damage to common property for which they could end up paying.
If the renovations don’t impact on common property, the lot owner doesn’t even need permission from the EC unless it says so in the by-laws.
Why would there be permission required in the by-laws? To control noise, dirt, times of work and access. Older buildings, especially, should be make sure there is a workable set of by-laws in place before their aging apartments turn into a permanent building site and everyone’s evenings and weekends are destroyed by DIY renovators.