An owner in our scheme wants to make alterations to their section – our Chairman – who knows about these things - stated that the owner would need written permission from all owners if they do anything on the common property. What is your opinion on this?
The Chairman is partially correct on this.
If the improvement is on common property and a major improvement is to be done by the owner then they would need written permission from all owners.
But today we look at minor improvements –
For example a small window that they want to change to aluminium that is not even really visible from the common property. Or a pipe they want to have installed under the ground from their unit to their garage (which is also a section).
The STSM Act does not define what is a minor improvement and what is a major improvement but the Trustees can weigh all options and decide on this.
If they feel that it is a minor improvement then the owner would only need permission from the Trustees. This is based on the following portion of the STSM Act.
It is in the Prescribed Conduct Rules (PCR) – you just have to check if your scheme’s customized rules did not amend this rule in any way.
PCR 4. (1) The owner or occupier of a section must not, without the trustees’ written consent, mark, paint, drive nails, screws or other objects into, or otherwise damage or deface a structure that forms part of the common property.