#24837
Sir Humphrey
Strataguru

    Usually, there is no obligation to upgrade anything to current building standards if maintenance or repair is not needed. IE if something still meets the standard that it met when installed you don’t need to do anything. If you were to do new work, the new work would have to meet current standards.

    Eg. When our mid-70s townhouses were built the balcony railings met the standard of the time. Now, when a unit is rebuilding a balcony due to rotten timbers, they have to meet the current standard which includes a higher railing. 

    Similarly, our original windows had 3mm glass. There is no obligation to change it but if you break a window that window’s glass must be replaced with thicker or laminated glass that meets the current standard. 

    If you have no roof insulation, then you would be crazy not to install some. Insulation standards might drive rewiring to current standards if the insulation would have to go over any of the wiring. 

    I don’t know which bits are OC responsibility and which are lot responsibilities. I could answer for the ACT on that but will leave that question to someone else.