This article discusses strata ventilation noise complaints, including whether constant fan noise is regulated under environmental noise laws and what owners can do to address it.
Question: The ventilation equipment is installed on the roof above our bedroom. We can hear the extractor fans 24/7. How do we stop this?
There is strata-owned ventilation equipment installed on the roof right above our bedroom. We live on the top floor of the building and can hear the extractor fans 24/7. The noise is particularly disturbing at night with the constant humming.
Is the level of allowed noise regulated by the Environmental (Noise) Regulations or does it fall under the Strata Titles Act and by-laws? What can we do about it?
Answer: We recommend you contact your own local government authority. They will be able to guide you accordingly.
The noise emitted by air-conditioning and ventilation equipment falls under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.
Those regulations are administered by each respective local government authority (e.g. City of Perth, City of Joondalup, etc). We recommend you contact your own local government authority. They will be able to guide you accordingly.
Most local government authorities also have guidelines, complaint procedures and forms published on their individual websites.
This post appears in the March 2023 edition of The WA Strata Magazine.
Andrew Chambers Chambers Franklyn Strata Management E: andrew@chambersfranklyn.com.au P: 08 9200 4200