the facade of reform

@SMO said:
“With that in mind, he (Mr Roberts) said, the new model bylaws will, for the first time, cover smoke drift and allow pets by default, rather than banning them as is now the case.”

Firstly, you need to discern the difference between a direct quote and my reportage. Secondly, although the detail hasn’t been published yet, the thrust of the proposed by-law will be changed from “no pets without consent” to “pets, but with conditions”.

This is nitpicking stuff.  It may not have the word ‘ban” in it but the current by-law is a very effective block on pet ownership for those who choose to employ it that way.

In any case, as we all know, any building that really, really doesn’t want pets can ban them by changing the model by-law before even the first AGM.

The significance of this proposed change in the model by-law is to take into account the fact that most people moving into a new building, especially first-time strata owners, have no idea what by-laws are, what they mean and how hard they are to change.

Once by-laws are passed (by a simple majority) at the first AGM they are bloody hard to change and a lot of people find themselves living in pro-pets buildings (according to the majority view) with “no-pets” ECs gathering up their 25 percent “no” vote every time there’s any danger of the status quo being threatened.

Kangaroo, you are making so much sense! I just posted on another thread (before reading this thread – my post is awaiting moderation so Jimmy will probably pick this up & direct me to this thread – sorry Jimmy).

In my SP, where Option A is the default, owners & tenants (& even a past Managing Agent) considered part (2) to rule out part (1) so they felt they could do what they liked regarding pets. The result? In a tiny one bedroom unit, a large dog, 2 small dogs, a cat, a snake, live mice (to feed the snake). In another tiny one bedroom unit, a yappy small dog who would bark, cry, howl & rip apart the screen door (bye-bye bond) when the owner was away (the front door was left open). In a 2 bedroom unit, 1 very loud bird who the owner liked to sing to, again, very loudly on an otherwise quiet & peaceful mornings/afternoon, a small yappy dog who was never on a leash & defecated on common property (not picked up by the owner) & would rush as residents and visitors (including small children), chase our beloved wildlife away etc. (I know Jimmy will say this is an extreme case – no arguments there but after being through this to some degree over & over, it get’s real old).

People wonder why owners do not like pets, I have had approximately 10 tenants in 11 years & experienced other tenants of other owners (I live at the property as well as lease a unit there) & I am sorry to say, they ALL have been irresponsible in some way (noise, collecting mail, clothes line issues, damage to the unit, etc) & those with pets have been particuarly so, – maybe we have just had back luck but now pets are a zero tolerance issue for our SP. The other owner/occupiers agree. The legislation can change anyway they want it to but we will NOT be forced to put up with irresponsible tenants & their pets no matter what!

Thanks. I wish it was as easy as tightening up the rules however, when things happen like informing a tenant that the unit is non-smoking & then when doing the final inspection, due to the stench, I ask them if they smoked inside the unit & they say “I know it’s non-smoking but I had to as it was cold outside in winter on the terrace.” or informing the tenant that one small pet is OK, then finding they have installed 7 pets or informing the tenant that they should not place candles on the shelves of the dividing wall as it will burn the wood above & then have them tell me “I know you told me not to do it but I did burn candles there & the wood is burned, sorry.” plus many more examples like this (including a particularly interesting episode where they had a huge McCaw bird in a cage inside a tiny 1 bedroom unit plus numerous mouse cages – talk about stench), I just have to shake my head & hope for the best with the next tenant. In my experience, they tend to do what they want despite any rules. Guess I have to laugh, or I’ll cry or sell the investment property & invest my hard earned cash elsewhere. I’ll look forward to the adventures leasing my place brings with the new legislation. Good luck everyone! 

I actually do self-manage my investment property (always have) AND I live next door! Some tenants agree to all the terms up-front then proceed to do exactly what they want – it’s all “yes, yes, of course” at first then it’s excuses &/or arguments about why they should have the right to do as they please, which comes before the welfare of the property or other residents. I pick them up on breeches when I notice or when other residents complain. Although, I am happy to say, I have had some wonderful tenants & have remained personal friends with them after they leave but I still would not want them feeling like they have a say in the running of the scheme to suit their personal circumstances at the time. Most of my tenants stay 6 months however a few have stayed 2-3 years. Luckily, most don’t get away with it for long. Also, self-managing the strata scheme is becoming more & more attractive.