By-Laws 101: What They Are and How to Change Them

Strata living means sharing space—and shared space needs shared rules. That’s where by-laws come in.

By-laws help everyone live together with a bit more harmony. They cover things like noise, pets, renovations, smoking, and parking. Every strata scheme has its own set, and they need to be registered to be legally enforceable.

Some common examples:

• No loud noise after 10pm
• Renovations must follow guidelines
• Approval required to keep pets

So, how do you change a by-law if it no longer suits the community?

It’s a formal but achievable process:

• A special resolution must pass at a general meeting (that’s 75% of votes in favour)
• The new by-law must then be registered with NSW Land Registry Services within six months

Well-crafted by-laws create a better living experience, especially in high-density buildings. If yours are out of date, overly strict, or no longer reflect your community’s values, it might be time for a review.

Need help updating your by-laws? That’s something we support all the time at Strata Revolution. We’ll guide you through it.

By Martin Rolon, Principal – Strata Revolution