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NSW: Who is responsible for cleaning skylights in strata?

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Question: My unit has skylights. Who is responsible for their maintenance (cleaning)? The owners corporation has stated they are responsible for the external but not the interior cleaning. For safety and access reasons, I’m unable to do the interior cleaning myself. Could you provide any clarification?

Answer: Check your by-laws and registered strata plan before you can be certain of the answer.

This is an excellent question that pops up quite commonly, and, as with most issues in strata, you’ll need to check your by-laws and registered strata plan before you can be certain of the answer.

If your building has a custom by-law regarding window cleaning, you’ll need to proceed in accordance with the requirements in the by-law. Likewise, a notation on the strata plan concerning windows or skylights will prevail over any by-laws or committee decisions.

However, if the by-laws for your building are the model by-laws (the standard by-laws that the owners corporation often adopts at the time of registration), there will be a by-law that says something similar to:

  1. Except in the circumstances referred to in clause (2), an owner or occupier of a lot is responsible for cleaning all interior and exterior surfaces of glass in windows and doors on the boundary of the lot, including so much as is common property.

  2. The owners corporation is responsible for cleaning regularly all exterior surfaces of glass in windows and doors that cannot be accessed by the owner or occupier of the lot safely or at all

In this case, a skylight can be considered “exterior surfaces of glass….on the boundary of the lot”, meaning that the lot owner would be responsible for cleaning the interior surface. The owners corporation would be responsible for cleaning surfaces that are both “exterior” and that cannot be accessed by the lot owner safely.

There are some products available at hardware stores or online that are designed to allow a person to clean a skylight (effectively a squeegee or cloth on a long stick!) that you can use for the job, otherwise, I’ve had a quick look through the Lookupstrata directory and can see some cleaners and handy-people who can help.

This post appears in the June 2024 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.

Edward Baker
Responsive Strata
E: edward.baker@responsivestrata.com.au
P: 0493 970 875

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About Edward Baker

Edward Baker, stands with over two decades of strata experience, bringing unmatched expertise to the role. Edward is widely respected in the NSW strata industry and is known for his commitment to fostering meaningful interactions with owners and committees, his unflappable manner, and his level-headed ability to problem-solve. A recognised industry leader, Edward is regularly approached to give advice and share his knowledge on a range of strata schemes and to contribute to industry forums.
Since starting his career in strata management in 2001, Edward has had hands-on managing experience ranging from 2-lot schemes to extensive 600-lot projects and everything in between. His expertise spans residential, commercial, and industrial strata management, along with community associations, building management committees (BMCs), defect management, new developments, dispute resolution, and the comprehensive management of buildings at all stages of their lifecycle. Over the years, Edward has also contributed significantly to various other business management roles, serving as Operations Manager, Licensee in Charge and Branch Manager.
Edward's academic and professional credentials include a Master of Commerce, a Bachelor of Arts, an Advanced Diploma in Property, and a range of industry certifications. He is also a Justice of the Peace and holds a level 3 Practising Strata Community Manager certification with Strata Community Association (SCA). His involvement in the SCA Professional Strata Management Committee, coupled with his active participation in the strata industry and community at large, showcases his ongoing commitment to the field.

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