Do strata by-laws need to be registered?

By admin,

Our Strata block is twenty three years old, and after some research, I have found our bylaws have never been registered with council or anyone else. They were simply made up by the committee of the time.

Consequently we have visitor car parks that don’t really exist, pets rules which ban everything (though one committee member has a cat), fences which have never been approved by the council, and who knows what else.

When the original body Corp makes the rules and bylaws for the complex, do those bylaws have to be registered with any official body?

Buying a Queensland Strata Property as a NSW Owner: What to Know

By admin,

I currently live in NSW and purchased an investment property in a strata complex in QLD at the end of 2020. I have been sent the latest 2021 strata report (prior to our 2021 AGM) dating 2020 with the previous owner or my lots name on the report. I was hoping since it is a brand new year and new estate development that the information would contain updated owners details? Does the report need to be amended to reflect current owners?

How do you enforce unclear or poorly drafted by-laws?

By admin,

Our By-laws are badly written so I would appreciate some advice on the interpretation of:

'(1) The hardstand area being part of the Common Property designated by the Body Corporate for storage purposes ("Hard Stand Area") as per plan attached and marked "hardstand area" may only be used for storage of boats, • jet skis, trailers, caravans or motor homes (collectively referred to as an "Occupier's Asset") that belong to the Occupier of a Lot.'

Should a body corporate have a by-law for engaging contractors?

By admin,

We are updating our strata title By-Laws.

Can we include reference to the manner in which service contractors are retained by the BC? For instance, we would like to include a ByLaw specifying that service contractors must provide copies of WorkCover Currency Certificates and Public Liability insurances.

We would also wish our ByLaws to state that the BC must not retain any worker - Sole Trader or otherwise - who could possibly fall into the category of "employee" as opposed to "contractor".

Are electric scooters prohibited under old strata by-laws?

By admin,

Our complex consists of free-standing homes with common area gardens and paths as well as a private road around the complex that is also Common property. The bylaws are quite old and do not permit the "use of skateboards, scooters, or roller blades on common property". Bicycles can only be ridden in ingress or egress to an owners lot.

Is a body corporate required to provide bicycle storage?

By admin,

Our Body Corporate bylaws state that each unit's car parking area may be used only for the parking of a registered motor vehicle. They also state that "an owner or an occupier must not park stand or rest a bicycle on any part of the common property other than in an area specifically designated for the parking of bicycles".