› Flat Chat Strata Forum › Living in strata › Out of luck when strata by-laws ban pets › Current Page
@Arlette said:
… so does this mean that the strata scheme has to make amendments?
No, they just have to review their by-laws, not necessarily revise them.
We would like to challenge the bylaws with the new bylaw options coming into place.Why are we being punished for have bought 15 years ago and now new strata schemes have to look into this?
All schemes have to review their by-laws. Pre 1996 by-laws were all changed at the same time because they were a mess and didn’t even cover the basic requirements for a lot of schemes. That means that whenever the law changes, the government has to issue a new set of compulsory by-laws which can be changed and which don’t over-ride changes made since 1996
We just had a general annual meeting and maybe a new strata manager has been appointed too. How would we talk to owners to see if it is worth challenging the bylaw or should we just apply get refused and then say it is unfair to enforce an old bylaw given that we live in the 21st Century and pets mean way more to us than ever before?
No need to go to the barricades on this – not as a first option, anyway. Put together a compelling document that draws on the many sources that show pets are not only beneficial to health but actually improve the value of properties. Local real estate agents will probably tell you that pet bans can reduce apartment values by between 5 and 10 percent.
Also reassure owners that even without restrictive by-laws, they can limit the kinds of animals and have them removed if they prove to be a nuisance.
I would be happy to stand in the lobby and speak to every single person i meet but most people that live here are tenants so how do i get to the real decision makers??
Your strata manage has to let you see the roll which will include the contact addresses of all the owners. Don’t exclude tenants from your discussions – they vote with their feet and their wallets.
Plus is it worth us picking this fight with the very strict no pet rule in our strata bylaws? Thanks in advance.
No-pet by-laws are a hangover from days when people didn’t even consider apartment living as a long-term option and when it was more important to avoid potential problems than create an inclusive environment. if they could have, many schemes would have banned children too.
It is definitely worth taking this on, if it’s important to you. You will encounter a vociferous from some and enthusiastic support from others.
But do your homework and provide a compelling document that you can send to everyone and try not to let it get personal.