At some stage we all look to change and update our homes, and this may include changes to the flooring. As an owner or tenant in the Strata Company, everyone is expected to act reasonably and with community spirit to ensure that they and others always respect and abode by the by laws . This includes peaceful enjoyment and therefore installation of new flooring on a multi-level property is an item that requires consideration and approval prior to installation.

You are not permitted to do any modifications to the building structure or change the appearance of the building in any way without seeking prior written approval from your strata company first. Any unauthorised structures or improvements will be asked to be removed and failure to remove the items may result in the strata company seeking orders from the State Administrative Tribunals as well as costs involved for pursuing these orders.

In the interest of you as the applicant it is important that prior to purchasing your new flooring you ensure the following written application is forwarded to your strata council or strata manager.

Timber floors, or floors which are screwed, nailed or tiled form part of the lot and are included within the strata company building insurance as being part of the lot and if improperly laid they may impact the peaceful enjoyment of neighbours.

Bamboo floors, these floors as they stick on to existing floors and do not form part of the building, nor are covered by the building insurance for your lot and are a contents item however, if laid they may also impact the peaceful enjoyment of neighbours. These types of floors are not recommended for lots that are multilevel (on top of another lot) unless they have been well insulated to prevent noise transfer to other units.

In order for the strata council to consider your application please forward a written signed and dated application by way of one email which includes; your name and property address, full details of the product you are looking to purchase/ install;, confirm the laying method used, specifications of insulation and that it is installed by a licensed professional and that the quote includes a written contractor guarantee that the floor is to be installed in accordance with noise guidelines & meets regulatory standards (if you are unsure as to what this is you will need to seek independent professional advise)

It is important to note that approval of flooring by the strata council will not guarantee that any owner, tenant or person may not independently or through your Strata Company OR the State Administrative Tribunal seek for orders for another owner to remove entirely the new floor due to disturbances, noise etc. It is critical for you as the applicant to ensure that the flooring you select, and the type of noise insulation meets or even exceeds regulatory requirements as well as meets a level that will ensure peaceful enjoyment of all owners and that the contractor is suitably skilled and licensed to provide advice and installation of such.

To ensure prompt consideration and response of your application please ensure that your application includes all details outlined above by way of one submission addressed to your Strata Company.