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Any tips of what to include in a welcome letter to new residents in a complex (besides the garbage day, contact details and no parking in visitors spots)? Should we include that owners cannot change external aspects of their units? In the past we have always assumed that one would know that but are surprised to find owners think they can change external appearances.
If we include the DFT website and advise them to become familiar with the NSW Strata By-Laws is that enough?
Should we mention that any changes they may be considering may need not only council approval, but committee approval and engineers reports?
We don't want to appear too militant in a “Welcome” letter, however, over the past couple of years in particular we have had a succession of new residents (owner and non-owner) who think that they can do whatever they want and make changes without asking or checking. How can we best nip this problem in the bud?
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With so many first-time apartment dwellers around, this is a problem in every building. Many people don't want to know the by-laws and others think they don't apply to them because they are a) owners or b) renters (go figure!).
I would put on your welcome letter a prominent notice that says something like:
All owners and tenants are, by law, provided with a set of by-laws. These by-laws are legally binding on all residents of this building and are there to protect you and your neighbours. Among many other issues, they include legally enforcable rules on
BehaviourPets
Parking
Noise
Renovations
Floor coverings
Please read the by-laws as they explain your rights and responsibilities. Failure to read them is not an excuse if you are in breach which can lead to uneccessary conflict with your neighbours and, in extreme cases, great personal expense to you. Please ask a member of your executive committee if there is something you don't understand.
Obviously you would put the five or six “hot” issues in your building in the list (no more or it gets too off-putting). And the person to talk to may be the building manager rather than a committee member but you get the idea – friendly but firm, with themphasis on it being in THEIR interest to read the by-laws, rather than yours.
Hope this helps
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
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