By-law Enforcement Process

By-law Enforcement Process

Dispute Resolutions

Due to the nature of living within a Strata complex, it is normal for disputes to arise. Enforcing the by-laws is the responsibility of the Body Corporate. The Committee, as the Body Corporate’s administrative arm, is responsible for ensuring that all owners and occupiers comply with the by-laws. Owners and occupiers can also commence by-law enforcement action if certain conditions are not being met.

It is important that all parties involved understand that the legislation sets out procedures for applications seeking to enforce body corporate by-laws.

Please see below the process that Strata Management Group recommends when a breach is reported or identified-

1. Body Corporate receives a Form 1 (Notice to body corporate of a contravention of a body corporate by-law) from Owner/Occupier (the “complainant”) with regards to another Owner or Occupier breaching the by-laws; 
2. Body Corporate committee reviews the Form 1 against the by-laws to confirm if the issues raised are in fact a breach of the Body Corporate by laws;
3. Body Corporate makes informal contact with the Owner/Occupier noted in the completed Form 1 to raise concerns, a breach letter is generally issued; 
4. The Body Corporate Manager will ensure that the original “complainant” is advised of the receipt of the completed Form 1 and where applicable notify them that the by-law breach process has begun and a letter has been issued;
5. If notification is received that initial contact or breach letter did not resolve the breach, the Body Corporate may issue a Form 11 or Form 10;

Form 11 – Notice Regarding Likely Future Contravention of a Body Corporate By-Law: The body corporate may serve a future contravention notice to an owner or occupier if it is reasonably believed that the person has contravened a by-law and the circumstances of the contravention make it likely that the contravention will be repeated. For example, this notice would be appropriate where it is known that an owner has a party on the first Friday of every month until late at night late and contravenes the noise by-law.

Form 10 – Notice of Continuing Contravention of a Body Corporate By-Law: The body corporate may give a continuing contravention notice to an owner or occupier where it reasonably believes that the person is contravening a by-law, and where, given the circumstances, it is likely that the contravention will continue. An example of this type of contravention is where an owner or occupier is displaying a sign on the lot in contravention of the by-laws.

6. A copy of the Contravention Notice is sent to the Occupier of the lot and if tenanted a copy is also to be sent to the Owner; and
7. If notification is received that the receipt of the Contravention Notice did not resolve the breach the Body Corporate can lodge an Application with the Body Corporate Commissioners Office to rectify the contravention stated in the notice.

Please note that a person who fails to comply with a contravention notice therefore commits an offence and penalties and up to a maximum of 20 penalty units may be applied by the court.

The Body Corporate may commence proceedings in the Magistrates Court against an owner/occupier who fails to comply with a contravention notice, alternatively the Body Corporate may lodge a Form 22 Conciliation Application form with the Commissioner’s Office.

It is important to note that a body corporate or any owner or occupier may bring an application to enforce a by-law without having complied with the applicable preliminary procedures only if:

a. The by-law contravention is incidental to an application for any order [under Act, section 281(1)] to repair damage or reimburse an amount paid for carrying out repairs;

or

b. The application is for an interim order and the applicant reasonably believes that special circumstances apply which make it necessary for the dispute to be resolved urgently.

Special circumstances may apply if the by-law contravention is:

• likely to cause injury to people or serious damage to property; or
• a risk to people’s health or safety; or
• is causing a serious nuisance to people; or
• otherwise gives rise to an emergency.