› Flat Chat Strata Forum › Common Property › Removing an internal wall › Current Page
Yes, they should and that involves deferring their decision to a higher authority if they are not sure.
I live in an apartment building where one owner removed a room, meaning his lounge room (which he wanted to expand so he could have bigger parties – seriously!) was now next to my bedroom. He got a builder to say that this was all OK and the council, even though their regs say you have to have planning permission to change the configuration of a flat, went along with it because the builder said it was a compliant development.
The strata committee went along with it because the council said it was OK. The noise was so bad I sold the flat.
My point is that removing a wall isn’t just about supporting the ceiling. It may mean that “active” rooms are suddenly next to “passive” rooms – a lounge is suddenly next to a neighbours bedroom whereas most bedrooms are next to bedrooms in modern apartment blocks.
So you are right about strata committees not being experts – that’s why they should make absolutely sure before they permit something that is going to benefit one owner to the detriment of another.