Air Con installed without strata approval

Hi All

I’m writing to you for advice on a situation a friend has in regard to an air conditioning unit. When my friend first moved into her apartment she had never lived under strata governance before. Being new to the whole strata scene she contracted a company to install an air conditioning system without any approval. From what I have been told the air con unit has been installed partly on the balcony (including bolts attaching it to the wall).

Once she found out that she had violated strata conditions, she has been living in constant fear of discovery of the unit and possible consequences. As a result she’s hardly ever used the air con – even on days like today when its over 35 C for fear of someone complaining about it. She has been like this for 7-8 years now.

I’ve tried talking her into confessing to the Strata company and working out an appropriate action plan (removal of the system and payment for necessary repairs to property etc) to set the record straight, though she’s too worried about the implications of having it found.

Having lived in a house all my life I’ve never gone through the strata cycle so it’s hard for me to advise her on the right thing to do.

Would it be possible for someone to let me know what sort of penalties can be applied in a case like this

and

What the best way to approach the Strata team would be ?

Should she propose appropriate action or just wait for a ruling by the committee ?

Kind regards

Catch_22