NSW Strata Law demands that a by-law be passed when common property is to be altered or used solely by one lot owner. In our building we recently had two owners who retiled their bathrooms without permission. All we had to do was retrospectively pass by-laws giving them permission but passing responsibility for the maintanance and repair of the affected common property (the waterproof seal, for instance) to the lot owner.
In a kitchen renovation, things like water and water pipes could be an issue, depending on the extent of the renovation.
There’s clearly a need, however, for a quick, cheap and simple way of allowing renovations without having to re-write by-laws from scratch every time.
This is what the Act says:
65A Owners corporation may make or authorise changes to common property
(1) For the purpose of improving or enhancing the common property, an owners corporation or an owner of a lot may take any of the following action, but only if a special resolution has first been passed at a general meeting of the owners corporation that specifically authorises the taking of the particular action proposed:
(a) add to the common property,
(b) alter the common property,
(c) erect a new structure on the common property.
(2) A special resolution that authorises action to be taken under subsection (1) in relation to the common property by an owner of a lot may specify whether the ongoing maintenance of the common property once the action has been taken is the responsibility of the owners corporation or the owner.
(3) If a special resolution under this section does not specify who has the ongoing maintenance of the common property concerned, the owners corporation has the responsibility for the ongoing maintenance.
(4) A special resolution under this section that allows an owner of a lot to take action in relation to certain common property and provides that the ongoing maintenance of that common property after the action is taken is the responsibility of the owner has no effect unless:
(a) the owners corporation obtains the written consent of the owner to the making of a by-law to provide for the maintenance of the common property by the owner, and
(b) the owners corporation makes such a by-law.
(5) A by-law made for the purposes of this section:
(a) may require, for the maintenance of the common property, the payment of money by the owner concerned at specified times or as determined by the owners corporation, and
(b) must not be amended or repealed unless a special resolution has first been passed at a general meeting of the owners corporation and the owners corporation has obtained the written consent of the owner concerned.