Part 2 - floorboards for a unit? strata implications

[Aangelique1611]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with regard to requesting permission from strata to install floorboards (or just remove carpet and polish them up). Im sure each strata body is different but i have heard lots of strata co's only allow floating floorboards with the sound reduction stuff on the back... anyone dealt with strata on this issue and able to share the outcome?

[Zed]

Hi Angela,

welcome.

with strata you actually only "OWN" the insides of the walls of your unit. most strata title provides the owner with the ability to change the internals so long as structual, external visual or internal changes are only cosmetic and do not affect other owners.

polishing floorboards or floating timber floors should be fine.

consult your strata contract. you may be able to get a waiver from your strata committee so long as you ask first!

consider noise - Ie trippy trappy over timber in high heels may annoy your downstairs neighbour hence the carpet and sound deadening.... check it first....

cheers

[Larry McCully]

Howdy, you have to ask the corporate body, but in my experence they will allow it only if you put in a sound barrier under any timber floor. their are a couple of products to use. and a couple of different systems also. all of them are reletivly economical tto install, but you wont get approval if you dont use it. If you have timber floors under the carpet, you will find that the corporate body will want you to either keep the carpet or if you want a timber floor, they will get you to install the barrier first then put a timber foor over the top of it.

[boban]

Zed is right except that it the body corporate by-laws that you need to look at. They are available for a small fee from the Land Titles Office (LTO). They call themselves the Dept of Lands now or LPI (I think).

You just need to ask for a search of the Body Corporate's by-laws. You will need your Strata Plan number (SP). If there is nothing in there about noise and floor coverings then you can do as you please within your unit.

[bitingmidge]

If there is nothing in there about noise and floor coverings then you can do as you please within your unit.

I've been wrong before...BUT...:D

The Building Code of Australia has an amendment in force and another pending I understand (come on you building surveyor types, help me here!), and you MAY need to ensure you meet the BCA impact requirements. I can't imagine any body corporate allowing you to modify the building in a way that is contrary to the BCA.

This is easy enough to do with a sound barrier, but once it is down, be considerate of those below you.

Clattering round in shoes, and scraping chairs is particularly offensive behaviour (from a noise transmission point of view).

It will only take some serious and consistent complaints from your neighbour, for the body corporate to retrospectively ban hard flooring, (which they can do in some states at least!):eek: . So just tread wearily :D :D :D

Cheers,

P

[boban]

"Retrospectively ban."

Even governments tread very carefully there.

I think the thing to do is to be considerate when planning to do anything which may upset your neighbours. The fact still remains, the inside of your unit is yours. If you create noise then that is a different issue again.

Just play your music a little louder to drown out the offending noise.

[bitingmidge]

:D :D
Sorry, my terminology ain't gunna stand up in court.

Delete:"retrospectively ban" and insert :"introduce a bylaw which prohibits placing chairs or other furniture on flooring which is not covered by a mat"

:D :D :D

P (battle scarred by too many bodies corporate!);)

[Gaza]

my understanding.

New buildings must meet "NEW" BCA FFIC ratings (impact ratings) both floor and walls.

Existing buildings NSW strata law states that the floor covering should not allow transfer of noise into different dwelling.

Most existing buildings will allow for timber flooring to be installed but must go to body corporate with a proposal including a proposed system to prevent transfer of sound

It is not a complicated or expensive process to install a floor that meets the min requirements in fact new buildings are now meeting there own voluntary code (5 start acoustic rating.)

All the above is off the top of my head but can be justified if required with exact clauses and min requirements.

I am able to offer a few systems if you can tell me if you would like a solid timber floor, engineered floor or parquetry, also note that the acoustic system will add to the overall thickness of the sub floor ie the new finished floor height will increase.