Common property and by-laws
Common property belongs to all owners together. By-laws are the building's rules, and changing them needs a special resolution.
What to know
- Adding to or changing common property (for example the look of shared areas, or works affecting the outside) needs a special resolution at a general meeting, and must say who maintains it.
- By-laws are changed by special resolution at a general meeting and registered with NSW Land Registry Services.
- The committee can't approve changes to common property on its own.
When things go wrong
Common areas are repainted in new colours without owners voting.
A change to the appearance of common property may need a special resolution. Ask for the resolution that approved it; if there isn't one, put a motion to a general meeting, and if needed apply for Fair Trading mediation and then the Tribunal.