How house rules can help keep the peace

COMMUNICATION of ‘house rules’ can help keep the peace and prevent bad behaviour in strata communities during celebrations taking place over the Australia Day holiday weekend, says Archers the Strata Professionals.

Archers the Strata Professionals partner, Grant Mifsud, said Australia Day festivities can often strain relations between neighbouring unit occupiers in a strata community, particularly with people of diverse demographics and cultures who live close to one another.

But he said reminding residents and visitors of the need to abide by the community by-laws within the property can help calm tensions and prevent rowdy behaviour.

“Highlighting and distributing house rules around the property, particularly in common areas such as the communal swimming pool and the barbecue areas can be an effective weapon against bad behaviour,” Mr Mifsud said.

“For example, clearly written rules that no alcoholic beverages, food, glass, other breakable items or pets are allowed within the pool area can be a healthy deterrent.

“Similarly, people using the barbecue facility can be reminded that it is for the enjoyment of all residents and their guests who must be accompanied by them when in use. It is a communal area and therefore cannot be monopolised by any one party and cleaning fees may also be imposed if the area is not left in an acceptable condition for use by others.”

Mr Mifsud said displaying highly visible and clearly written house rules (in line with the scheme by-laws) will help building managers and committees to better enforce the regulations.

“Sometimes you need a direct approach such as a sign saying don’t ‘smash bottles in the pool’ which the building manager or body corporate committee member can point to and say to an offender: ‘please obey the rules!’”

Mr Mifsud said the Australia Day celebrations can be a trying time for some apartment residents and occasionally can result in police being called.

“Unfortunately, there will be parties where guests behave badly and excessive noise and other issues cause tensions between neighbours

resulting in complaints, but there are many strategies to prevent these disturbances,” he said.

To avoid disturbances and subsequent complaints being made during Australia Day festivities, Mr Mifsud has these tips:

1. Keep the Volume Down – Loud music and other party noise has the potential to cause tensions. Property by-laws will require any noise able to be heard by the neighbours ending by a certain time, usually before 10pm. If you do adjourn inside to keep partying, don’t disturb neighbouring properties. 2. Dress Appropriately – If it’s hot, there could be the temptation for

party goers to strip off, whether celebrations are on a unit balcony or by a communal swimming pool in the apartment complex. But always remember that there are more many families living in apartments these days and your guests should be appropriately attired. 3. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes – Take

extra care if you are planning a balcony barbecue in your unit. Cooking can easily catch fire or, worse, gas bottles can explode, potentially causing a major blaze or worse. Apartment residents also need to consider whether someone smoking on their balcony will bother neighbours.