BBQs, Pools, Gyms, Festive Season! Get Ready Strata!

With just 6 weeks until the festive season is here, hot summer weather is upon us! There is no better time for lot owners and tenants to get fit, cool off in the pool, and pull out the barbie on a balmy Sydney afternoon.

However, as the temperature rises, so can community friction if clear ground rules aren’t in place.

To help ensure your strata scheme enjoys a smooth, safe, and stress-free holiday period, reviewing and updating your building’s facility by-laws should be top of mind for strata committees and scheme managers.

Balcony BBQs: Managing Fire Safety and Smoke Drift Under NSW Strata Law

While a summer barbecue is an Australian staple, balcony outdoor cooking presents significant fire hazards and nuisance risks in high-density strata living. Under Section 153 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW), residents must not cause a nuisance or hazard that unreasonably interferes with a neighbour’s peaceful enjoyment of their lot or common property.

Heavy charcoal smoke, open fires, and unsafe fuel storage can quickly lead to heated disputes or NCAT enforcement action. A comprehensive, tailored BBQ by-law helps protect your scheme by regulating:

• Permissible BBQ Types: Restricting or prohibiting open fires, solid fuel smokers, and heavy charcoal BBQs in favour of safer electric or gas options.
• Combustible Storage Limits: Setting clear guidelines on storing LPG gas bottles, inflammable liquids, and other materials on balconies or in storage cages in compliance with Australian standards.
• Smoke Penetration Controls: Establishing enforceable rules to prevent balcony smoke drift from penetrating adjoining units or common areas.

Communal Pools: Balancing Summer Enjoyment with Safety & Risk Mitigation

A shared pool is one of the most attractive amenities in any strata building, but it also carries considerable liability risks for owners corporations. Implementing clear, legally binding communal pool rules ensures everyone can swim safely without compromising peace of mind.

An up-to-date pool by-law should explicitly address:

• Safety Essentials: Clear, enforceable prohibitions on running on slippery pool decks, diving in shallow ends, and bringing glass or breakable items near the pool area.
• Electrical Safety: Restricting portable speakers, extension cords, and electrical appliances near water zones to minimise electrical risk.
• Access and Usage Rights: Defining clear hours of operation, guest limits, adult supervision requirements for children, and who can or cannot use the facility.

Strata Gyms: Reducing Liability, Acoustic Nuisance, and Equipment Wear

Communal gym facilities offer convenient wellness benefits to residents, but without structured oversight, they can present personal injury risks, acoustic noise transfer to neighboring apartments, and early equipment wear and tear.

To safeguard your residents and property, a tailored gym by-law should cover:

• Operating Hours: Setting fair operational hours to curb late-night or early-morning noise disruption for residents living adjacent to gym facilities.
• Noise and Acoustic Controls: Prohibiting the dropping of heavy free weights, requiring suitable matting, and keeping exercise music to respectful volumes.
• Hygiene and Care: Mandating the use of towels, proper wipe-down practices after use, and the returning of weights to racks.
• Access and Safety Rules: Restricting guest admittance, setting age thresholds for unsupervised equipment use, and establishing clear liability disclaimers.

Speak to NSW Strata Law Specialists Before Summer Hits

Generic, off-the-shelf by-laws often fall short when challenged at the tribunal level. For over 45 years, our specialist team has been drafting, reviewing, and updating enforceable, custom by-laws tailored to the specific needs of New South Wales strata schemes.

Whether your owners corporation needs a new facility by-law drafted or a review of your existing rules before the holiday rush, our team is here to assist.