It’s the ultimate home upgrade the promise of sleek benchtops, whisper-quiet drawers, and maybe even a super fancy tap that does fizzy as well as boiling water on command. But in a strata scheme, it’s also the fastest way to send your committee members scurrying for their by-law binders.

In simple terms, common property is everything in your strata building or complex that’s not part of your individual lot. It’s owned collectively by all owners and managed by the owners corporation (or body corporate in some states). 

If you own a strata property, you’ve probably thought, “Hmm, I’ll just freshen things up a bit.” But in strata, “freshening up” can mean anything from a lick of paint to a full-blown, dust-everywhere, jackhammers at 50 paces, council-approval required makeover. The trick is knowing whether your project is either cosmetic, minor, or major because the rules (and the paperwork) are very different. 

Whether you’re fixing a leaky tap or installing a brand-new kitchen, apartment owners in strata schemes often wonder: Can I use my own tradespeople? And what rules can the strata committee actually enforce? 

Here’s a practical, Australia wide guide to the rights and limits around using your own tradies, no matter which state or territory you live in. 

Is replacing the air conditioning unit in a strata-titled property considered cosmetic works, a minor renovation, or a major renovation under strata law?