Replacing carpet with timber flooring, installing new tiles or simply upgrading tired flooring can seem like a straightforward renovation inside your own apartment.
So, why does the Owners Corporation need to be involved?
It’s a common question from apartment owners. While the flooring itself may be within your lot, the potential impact of changing it may extend beyond your apartment. Noise, waterproofing, fire safety and impacts on common property or neighbouring lots are all considerations that may need to be assessed before works begin.
In Victoria, Owners Corporations operate under the Owners Corporations Act 2006, the Owners Corporations Regulations 2018 and the rules applying to the particular Owners Corporation.
The Model Rules contained in Schedule 2 of the Regulations include requirements relating to alterations and renovations where works may affect common property or another lot owner's use and enjoyment of their property.
Individual Owners Corporations may also have their own registered rules dealing specifically with renovations, hard flooring, building works and approval requirements.
This means that even though the proposed work is taking place inside your apartment, approval may still be required.
One of the main reasons flooring changes require careful consideration is sound transmission between apartments.
Carpet and underlay naturally absorb a significant amount of impact noise. Replacing carpet with timber, laminate, vinyl or tiles can substantially change how footsteps, dropped objects, moving furniture and other everyday activities are heard in the apartment below.
This is why an Owners Corporation may ask for details such as:
The National Construction Code (NCC) contains minimum technical requirements relating to sound transmission between apartments. However, the applicable requirements for a particular renovation can depend on the building, the proposed works and the Owners Corporation's registered rules.
The objective isn't to prevent owners from improving their apartments. It is to make sure that an improvement to one lot doesn't create an unreasonable noise problem for another.
Waterproofing becomes particularly important when flooring works involve bathrooms, laundries, kitchens, balconies or other wet areas.
Removing existing tiles or flooring can disturb waterproofing membranes beneath them. If these aren't properly reinstated, a seemingly minor renovation can result in water penetration into neighbouring lots or common property.
Water leaks in apartment buildings can be expensive and disruptive to resolve, so the Owners Corporation may need to understand the scope of the works, how existing waterproofing will be protected and whether new waterproofing is required.
Depending on the nature of the work, appropriately qualified or licensed contractors and supporting documentation may also be required.
The materials being introduced into the building can also be relevant.
Certain flooring products, underlays and associated materials may need to meet applicable fire hazard requirements. This can be particularly important in multi-residential buildings where building materials form part of the overall fire safety environment.
The Owners Corporation may therefore request product specifications or other information to confirm that the proposed materials are appropriate for the building.
When your Owners Corporation Manager asks for additional information about a flooring renovation, they're generally not asking questions simply to make the process more complicated.
Depending on the proposed works and the building's rules, the Owners Corporation may be assessing:
The level of information required will depend on the type of flooring, the scope of the renovation and the requirements applying to your particular building.
If you're planning to replace flooring in an apartment, it's a good idea to contact your Owners Corporation Manager before ordering materials or engaging a contractor to begin work.
Provide as much information as possible about the proposed flooring and installation. Your manager can then advise what approvals or supporting documentation may be required for your building.
Getting approval first can help avoid delays, additional costs and the possibility of having to rectify works later.
If you're planning flooring or other renovation works within your apartment, contact your Amity Strata Owners Corporation Manager before commencing.
We'll help you understand the requirements applying to your building, what information needs to be provided and the approval process that may apply.
A little preparation before the work begins can help protect your apartment, your neighbours and the building as a whole.
