Question: Does repainting a rendered exterior in acrylic paint require a special resolution?
A committee member has proposed painting the building’s exterior in acrylic paint. The exterior is currently coloured render over brick, so this would not be a like-for-like finish.
Would this change in surface texture require a special resolution?
Answer: Changes that alter the appearance or surface of the common property require approval by special resolution at a general meeting.
As the building is currently finished with coloured render over brick, and the proposed works would involve applying acrylic paint (which is not a like-for-like replacement and would alter the surface finish and visual appearance of the common property), this is not considered routine maintenance.
Under Section 108 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW), changes that alter the appearance or surface of the common property require approval by special resolution at a general meeting. This is because such changes go beyond maintenance and are considered an alteration to common property.
Therefore, in this case, the proposal would need to be:
- Formally included as a motion for a special resolution on the agenda of a general meeting.
- Supported with relevant details (e.g. specifications, sample colours, rationale) for consideration by all owners.
Mark Louis Vital Strata Management E: mark@vitalstrata.com.au P: 02 9008 1112