VIC: Are external roller shutters for energy efficiency good weather protection in a strata building?

Question: Is it worthwhile investigating external roller shutters for energy efficiency and weather protection?

Our 9 level building is investigating options to reduce heat and weather on windows, including installing external roller shutters on East and West windows for apartments with balcony access. The shutters would be attached to the external frames of the windows. What are other buildings doing to provide shade and protect against weather?

Answer: It may be easier for the interested owners to obtain a quote together and then engage the contractor directly.

Installing external roller shutters is a very common request in owners corporations for security and weather control. However, it is more common for individuals to approach the owners corporation rather than for this to be arranged across multiple lots or the entire building.

There are a few things individuals applying need to consider, outlined below:

1. The Owners Corporation Rules – We suggest you review the rules for your development as they may have specific requirements, such as a particular colour or style.
2. Consistent Appearance – It is important that developments maintain a consistent appearance, so we encourage you to see what has already been installed and ensure your proposal is in keeping with the overall aesthetic.
3. Owners Corporation Approval required – Under the Model Rules, all changes to the external appearance of a lot must obtain the written approval of the owners corporation. We note that an owners corporation cannot unreasonably withhold approval but may give approval subject to reasonable conditions to protect the quiet enjoyment of other lot owners, structural integrity or the value of other lots and/or common property.

To increase your chances of quick approval, we encourage you to supply a quotation and an image of what you want to install to the committee of management. You may also want to look into window tinting if your owners corporation does not wish to approve the installation of roller blinds. This will also require the approval of the owners corporation.

You have noted you wish to install roller shutters across several lots with balcony access. Roller shutters installed on balcony windows would be private, not common property. Under Section 12 of the Owners Corporation Act 2006, an owners corporation may only provide a private service to lot owners via a special resolution. It may be easier instead for the owners who are interested to obtain a quote together and then engage the contractor directly.

Alex Smale
Melbourne Owners Corporation Services
alex@mocs.com.au
P: 03 9818 2488