› Flat Chat Strata Forum › Talkin’ ’bout a renovation › Who can give approval for major internal lot renovations? › Current Page
I've decided long ago that what makes me unique in Strata is that I'm the only person who's ever wrong. But which part of what I said is “largely incorrect”?
That it varies from place to place? There are differences between states but the NSW councils have to abide by the state law on this. That said, I've looked at the websites of several councils in NSW and they all have slightly different forms for you to fill in so, unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this.
As far as what City of Sydney said about needing approval before you can alter the internal floor plan, I was just passing on what they told me.
However, Drew hjas raidsed an interesting point and the “complying development” situation is interesting (even though I could only find the briefest mention of strata in the Act). Have a look for yourselves HERE. Once again, it seems we are an afterthought – even bed and breakfast establishments get their own section.
Then there is this intriguing exclusion from complying development.
4.4 Development standardsThe standards specified for that development are that the development:
(b) must not result in a change to the floor area of the dwelling house
Does that mean a change to the size of the floor area or its configuration? I don't know (although it sounds like the former).
Drew, you may well be correct and clearly there are even substantial changes to the internals of a unit that need not affect anyone else.
However, knocking down supporting walls would obviously not be “complying” and what about, for instance, moving a bathroom so that it's over a bedroom?
Also, for any substantial change that doesn't require a DA, it seems you do need a Complying Development Certificate – you can't just decide you don't need a DA and go ahead.
Maybe that's when the alarm bells start ringing and someone tells you you might need a proper approval.