Big dogs can be ideal apartment dwellers
Here’s the latest information from Strata Community Australia (NSW) about the newest strata laws pertaining to pets in NSW, with useful websites listed below.
Don’t think that the size of a dog is the most important characteristic when choosing a dog to live in an apartment. Some of the small dog breeds can be poor choices because they have a tendency to yap or have too much energy, or are timid and become upset at all of the noises and voices outside their apartment. Regardless of size, a dog needs to be a low-energy, quiet breed to be suited to apartment living.
Many people are surprised that some of the largest breeds of dogs are ideal apartment dwellers, yet so long as they receive enough exercise, they can be perfectly happy (and so can your neighbours!).
Two of the most surprising dogs that are perfect apartment pets are greyhounds and Great Danes. Most people think of greyhounds as energetic bundles of energy, yet they are generally very laid back fellows, liking nothing more than snoozing and going on occasional strolls with their owners.
Great Danes are huge, lovable animals who love nothing more than lying around on comfortable furniture. Females weigh 45-59kg and males weigh 54-91kg, and males can be up to 86cm (ground to shoulder). They are loving, reserved, confident, devoted, gentle and friendly, and are generally easy to train.
Often apartment dogs have nowhere to go to the toilet, so they need to have a regular routine of feeding and being taken outside. If no-one is at home for hours at a time, you probably need to pay someone to do this for you, and should factor this expense into your budget.
Most importantly, spend quality time with your dog, because a happy relationship with you makes your dog perfectly content.
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that pet ownership is good for our health and good for the health of our communities. The tangible benefits to the physical and mental wellbeing of pet owners have been confirmed by scientific research, with their owners being healthier and happier than non-owners.
Strata Community Australia (NSW) encourages owners corporations and pet owners to work together to make apartment living more pet-friendly and proposed changes to the strata laws in NSW support this position.
The proposed changes are to the model by-laws but are at least 12 months from taking effect. However strata schemes that have adopted the current by-law will not be affected by the new legislation. The proposed by-law allows pet ownership with permission, which cannot be unreasonably refused, and also provides that certain small pets can be kept without permission.
The current model by-law concerning pets in apartments currently states that “an owner or occupier of a lot must not, without the approval in writing of the owners corporation, keep any animal on the lot or the common property.”
Where the changes will make a difference is when a new strata scheme, which is registered on or after the date the new legislation takes effect, decides to adopt the new strata model by-laws including the proposed by-law.
This does not prevent existing by-laws from being changed and owners can certainly do that by going through the appropriate process outlined in the current legislation – Strata Schemes Management Act 1996.
SCA (NSW) believes that in order for pet ownership to be successful in apartments, pet owners need to be able to demonstrate they are responsible. This means realising that the pet is dependent on the owner for its welfare and being responsible for the impact the pet has on the neighbours and the general amenity of the property.
In dealing with this issue, some owners corporations may need to re-consider their pet policy with a view the changing needs of modern lifestyles. It may be that resident wants have actually changed since the building was first built.
On the other hand, pet owners must also be conscious of the history of a building too. Some people have chosen buildings based on their no pet policies and their opinions may not change overnight no matter how responsible the new pet owners are.
To encourage people to do the right thing and not end up with a complaint being made against them a pet application form was developed by SCA (NSW). The idea was to make it easy for potential pet owners apply to their executive committees for permission and for the committee to have all the information they need to make a decision. This includes vaccination details and microchip details (where applicable).
Don’t expect that as a new owner that it is a matter of just making application and it will be okay. Apartment owners and tenants are encouraged to always seek the appropriate permissions before committing to having a pet. Download the pet application form at http://www. stratacommunity.org.au/strata-living/petapplication-and-agreement-forms
Information about pet ownership in states other than NSW can be found at http://www.stratacommunity.org.au/strataliving/pets
About Strata Community Australia (NSW)
Strata Community Australia NSW) was formerly known as the Institute of Strata Title Management (NSW). There are about two million strata and community title lots in 270,000 schemes across Australia. According to the 2011 Census figures the popularity of living in strata-type properties continues to shift with just under a quarter of a million more households calling apartments and townhouses home since 2006.
where people walk their dogs have a lower incidence of violent crime and a higher perception of neighbourhood friendliness. Pet-friendly strata properties attract more people and have lower turnover rates and higher profitability. And the communities that work together and talk regularly and create more opportunities to socialise are much healthier communities.”
According to PIAS, strata by-laws are different in each state and territory, and from one strata development to another, even in the same state, so in some apartment blocks owners don’t need to get permission to have a pet, whereas in others they are not permitted to have a pet on the premises.
So, whether you’re a potential owner or renter, you need to carry out due diligence before moving in with your pet, or if you already live in an apartment, you need to check before bringing home a pet.