I am not a lawyer. The following is a suggestion only and is not to be relied upon. I advise you to take a good look at SSMA 2015 [s110].
Depending on your particular scheme’s needs a suggestion for your Minor Renovation By-Law could go something like this (or not):
By-Law for Minor Renovations
- The owner of a lot may make minor renovations to their lot subject to the approval of the strata committee and subject to all of the requirements and conditions outlined in these By-laws.
- The minor renovations must not interfere with the peaceful enjoyment of any other lot.
- Minor renovations are only those specified in SSMA 2015
and do not include major renovations. - Minor renovations include: (a) Renovating a kitchen. However, these cannot include waterproofing. (b) Changing recessed light fittings. (c) Installing or replacing wood or other hard floors. However, these are subject to the condition outlined in these by-laws. (d) Changing internal walls. However, these cannot include structural changes. (e) Installing sustainability measures (such as clotheslines or reverse cycle air conditioner). However, these cannot involve changing the outside appearance of a lot or structural changes. (f) Installing or replacing wiring or cabling or power or access points.
- With the exception of a ground floor lot all owners who wish to install or replace wood or other hard floors as a minor renovation must abide by the following conditions: (a) Provide a written report to the strata committee from a qualified acoustic engineer that analyses the acoustic properties of the proposed floor finish prior to installation and a further written report that tests and analyses the acoustic properties of the flooring on completion of the installation of the hard floor.(b) The acoustic properties of the proposed flooring and the completed flooring must not be worse than a 3 star AAAC rating of Lntw < =55 dB. (c) If an installed floor finish fails the provisions of the by-law, then a Notice may be issued to the lot owner concerned requiring that lot owner to place carpet laid over heavy duty underlay over the installed floor finish.
- All owners who wish to undertake minor repairs must provide the following details to the strata committee: (a) any plans of the work, and (b) when the work will be carried out (times and dates), and (c) qualifications and details of the trades people who will do the work.
- The renovating owner must ensure that during the uplift of materials and removal of debris via the use of the common property lift and/or stairs and/or walkways that disturbance and inconvenience to the other occupants of the building be minimized.
- Measures (acceptable to the strata committee) must be taken by the renovating owner throughout the course of the minor renovation to: (a) Protect the common property (b) Ensure that the site is left clean at the end of each working day (c) Minimise the release of dust (d) Minimise noise disturbance and nuisance.