From 25 August, the NSW Government’s new laws to put an end to blanket bans on pets in strata come into effect, providing clarity for residents and owners corporations on how they can manage the keeping of animals in strata buildings.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the changes follow a detailed review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (the Act) and extensive public consultation, focusing on the keeping of animals in strata schemes.
Mr Singh said the new laws reflect broad community sentiment from the review, and demonstrate a balanced approach for local residents and owners corporations in keeping furry friends in strata.
“A lot has changed since the Act commenced in 2015, including a shift to apartment living as more and more people are choosing to buy and rent in apartments instead of houses,” Mr Singh said.
“On top of that, research tells us that Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, with 61 per cent of households including a pet in their family, and 91 per cent of households owning a pet at some point in their lives.
“Following extensive feedback from the community we have implemented fair and sensible regulations preventing schemes from introducing blanket bans on keeping pets in apartments, while ensuring owners corporations can refuse pets where they unreasonably impact other residents.”
From 25 August 2021, the new regulations will prescribe a limited list of specific grounds where an owners corporation can refuse a lot owner from keeping an animal in a strata scheme or take steps to remove an existing animal from the scheme. These circumstances include repeated damage of the common property, menacing behaviour, persistent noise and odour.
NSW Fair Trading will be offering support, advice and mediation services for residents and owners corporations who are unsure about the new rules and how they apply within their scheme.
Unresolved disputes can also be escalated to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal where appropriate.
For more information around the new laws, visit: https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/strata-and-community-living/strata-schemes/by-laws-in-your-strata-scheme
