Renovations and Strata Approval

I recently bought a small 1 bed unit that needs renovating.

I plan to put in a new kitchen and bathroom and paint, etc.

I had builders go in and rip out the old kitchen and bathroom last week but the other work hasn't started yet. The work will all be replacing old for new – there are no layout changes, no moving walls or plumbing or electricity, I'm not even putting in any new powerpoints.

The day after that work was done I received a letter from strata demanding I stop the work until I had applied for approval and it came with a long list of requirements.

I responded assuring them that the work is not structural and according to the by laws it doesn't require approval. I assured them in writing that (as is the law anyway) I would rectify any damage my work might cause to common property or neighbouring units. I also had my builder supply copies of his licence and insurance certificate.

I then got a response from strata saying that I needed to supply drawings and a comprehensive list of what is being done so they could judge for themselves whether the work needed approval from either council or the OC.

Of course as the work is just replacing old for new I have no plans or drawings.

They also sent an email directly to my builder (sent at 10.30 on a Saturday night…) asking the same thing which I think is really inappropriate. He is being paid (by me) to renovate a tiny unit, not to deal with bureacracy.

A google search shows that all recent sales in the building are renovated units.

I am very reluctant to write to them with a detailed list of everything that I'm doing – just because I don't have to – and even though I know none of it breaches any by laws, Strata seemingly aren't that familiar with the by laws and I'm worried they'll cause unecessary problems, delays and expenses.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best way to deal with them to get them to leave me alone?