NSW Q&A: Process for changing gas cooktop to electric in strata

This article is about the approval process for changing a gas cooktop to electric in strata.

Question: What is the approval process and do we need a by-law to replace our gas cooktop with an electric powered stove/cooktop in strata?

I am a resident strata unit owner and general committee member in six lot building in Sydney. Do we need to approval from the strata committee and a by-law to replace our gas freestanding stove/cooktop with a similar electricity powered stove/cooktop?

Answer: If you do not need any electrical, waterproofing or other works to swap over your appliance, in our view, you do not require approval of the owners corporation.

If your proposal requires the installation of power points, your proposal will fall within the definition of “minor renovations”. These are works for installing wiring/cabling/power, which require an ordinary resolution of the owners corporation or majority approval of the strata committee (if the latter is delegated that power) PROVIDED the works do not involve waterproofing, structural works, etc. If waterproofing, structural works, etc. are required, you will require a by-law.

If you do not need any electrical, waterproofing or other works to swap over your appliance, in our view, you do not require approval of the owners corporation.

Leanne Habib
Premium Strata
E: info@premiumstrata.com.au
P: 02 9281 6440

This post appears in the April 2025 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.

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Read next:

• NSW: Retrospective Approval of Unauthorised Works Possible
• NSW: Q&A Apartment renovations without approval. Oops … What do we do now?

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