Over the next 10 weeks we’ll be looking at the revisions to NSW’s model by-laws, which come into force on November 30 2016. They won’t automatically affect existing owners, but it’s a great time to consider updating your strata scheme’s by-laws to take advantage of the changes.
As someone who’s realised they just missed the garbage truck can confirm, we don’t care about the rubbish until it has piled up. The by-laws on waste-disposal have become more prescriptive, here’s how.
The new model by-laws, as found in Schedule 3 of the Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2016, adds to the original provisions by acknowledging some of the messy realities of apartment living.
The biggest change in the new model by-laws forbids people trying to flush things such as nappies, sanitary pads and baby wipes. This is a common sense addition, as flushing such items causes long-term damage to piping, usually through blockages, which are often only discovered when something cracks or overflows.
Ensuing damage to common property could be levied against an owner regardless of by-laws, but an enforceable by-law can serve as a deterrent both to owners and tenants who might otherwise flush without thinking.
Another distinction between old and new is the greater focus on the difference between single and shared rubbish disposal. In larger buildings with garbage rooms or shared skip bins there is less specific details on the wrapping and draining of certain items, instead relying on stipulations that owners obey owners corporation and council rules.
Regardless of whether you adopt the new model by-laws, we recommend you get one that addresses the issue of flushing obstructive items. Sewerage is a shared utility that can cause property damage and health issues if pipes are blocked or ruptured.
BylawsOnline - Rules to live by 