Last week’s session on strata bylaw breaches and bylaw enforcement in Western Australia, presented by Luke Downie from Realmark Strata, offered valuable insights for both strata managers and residents. The discussion focused on how fostering a strong sense of community can significantly reduce these bylaw infractions, ultimately leading to smoother enforcement process.
Understanding Bylaw Breaches
The session highlighted several reasons why bylaw breaches occur. Sometimes, residents are simply unaware of the rules, especially new residents unfamiliar with the strata scheme. In other cases, frustrations between residents, cultural differences, or personal struggles can lead to misunderstandings and disregard for the bylaws. A feeling of isolation and lack of belonging can make residents less invested in following the rules.
Building Community for Effective Bylaw Enforcement
So, how do we create a more harmonious living environment and ensure effective bylaw enforcement? According to Luke Downie, the answer lies in building a strong community. The session emphasised the proactive role strata managers and committee members can play, by creating inviting common areas like BBQ spaces and gardens and encouraging socialise so residents get to know each other.
Organising fun events like movie nights or morning teas was another suggestion to break the ice and foster a sense of community. Inclusivity was stressed – integrating tenants into activities and general communication ensures everyone feels like they belong.
Open communication is paramount. The session underscored the importance of having clear channels for residents to raise concerns. A well-defined dispute resolution process allows for addressing issues peacefully before they snowball into bylaw breaches. Strata managers can take the lead in establishing these channels and creating informative welcome packs for new residents. The packs should clearly outline expectations regarding noise levels, parking, and other bylaws.
Collaboration and Clear Communication: The Pillars of Bylaw Enforcement
The session also highlighted the importance of residents working together with strata managers and committee members to create a more positive and collaborative environment. Committee members can introduce themselves to new residents, set a good example by following the bylaws themselves, and take the initiative to organise social events. Regular communication and the celebration milestones as a community were suggested by Luke Downie as ways to strengthen the sense of belonging.
This collaborative spirit goes a long way in preventing bylaw breaches and negating the need for bylaw enforcement. When residents understand the purpose of the rules and feel invested in maintaining a peaceful environment, they are more likely to follow them.
The Importance of Professional Bylaw Enforcement
Of course, there will still be times when enforcing bylaws will be necessary and Luke offered practical advice:
- maintain a calm and professional approach,
- clearly explain the breach and its consequences, and
- properly document everything.
Strata managers can play a key role in ensuring a smooth bylaw enforcement process, which may involve issuing notices, mediation, or even applications to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) in complex and reoccurring cases.
The importance of building a strong community goes beyond simply reducing bylaw breaches. It’s about creating a place where everyone feels welcome, respected, and connected. By following the key takeaways from this session, strata schemes in Western Australia can cultivate a more harmonious living environment for all residents, achieved through a combination of proactive community building and professional enforcement of bylaws when necessary.
You can access and download the slide pack and relevant resources mention in the session here: WA webinars.
Video presenter:
Luke Downie Realmark E: ldownie@realmark.com.au P: 08 9328 0999
Article author:
The Lookupstrata Team
This post appears in Strata News #701.
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Read next:
- WA: Q&A Complying with Bylaws Breaches – Serving Written Notices
- WA: Q&A Strata bylaws + bylaw consolidation
- WA: The State Administrative Tribunal and Strata Disputes
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