Step 1 Draft the By-Law
Using DIY By-Laws you can easily add your lot details, select what areas you are renovating and attach the relevant plans to create a by-law and motion instantly! Your by-law will describe any impact there may be to common property (for example, waterproofing in bathroom, moving plumbing or external walls).
Step 2 Before the Meeting
You will now need to give your draft by-law and consent form to your strata manager to be included in the agenda for the next annual general meeting. If there is not one coming up anytime soon, ask your strata manager the fee to call a meeting.
Step 3 The Agenda
The strata manager will attach your motion to the agenda and be sent out to owners in your strata scheme 21 days before the meeting.
Make sure you have also given your consent form to the strata manager before the meeting.
Step 4 The General Meeting
Your motion will be discussed at the AGM and details will be reviewed. Then a vote will be taken by all owners attending (and via proxy) the AGM on your motion. This will be specially resolved and you will get approval or could be asked to provide changes or more detail. A majority vote will get this approved.
Step 5 Consolidation
Once this has been resolved, the new by-law needs to be added to full list of by-laws, thereby consolidating the new one with the existing by-laws.
.DIY By-Laws can assist you with this step too!
Step 6 Registration
The new by-law must be registered with Land Registry Services within 6 months.
A lawyer, your strata manager or DIY By-Laws can also assist you with this step.
Step 7 Start Your Renovation!
Now that you have completed all the necessary steps you can start your renovations.
Do your planned works require council approval? Find out more →
Do your planned works need to comply with the Design & Building Practitioner’s Act 2020? Find out more →
The first step to register a renovation by-law is to lodge the by-law with NSW LRS as part of a ‘Consolidation/Change of By-Laws’ dealing.
As of 22 March 2021, any such dealing must be lodged electronically through an electronic lodgment network, such as Property Exchange Australia Ltd (PEXA). Access to electronic lodgment networks is ordinarily restricted to members, such as lawyers or conveyancers, meaning that in the ordinary course of registering a renovation by-law, such representation will need to be obtained.
Once lodged, the dealing and by-law will be reviewed by NSW LRS prior to being registered. If any issue or matter requiring attention is identified, NSW LRS will issue a ‘requisition’ that must be satisfied before registration can occur.
Upon registration, your renovation by-law will be effective and works can commence.
Note that any change to the by-laws of the scheme (including adding a renovation by-law) must be lodged with NSW LRS within 6 months of the date that the by-law was approved by special resolution (i.e. the date of the general meeting). If more than 6 months have passed, a new meeting will need to be held and a new special resolution obtained.
How can we help?
Services which the Bannermans By-Law Team provides to owners corporations and owners:
Services which the Bannermans Strata Dispute Team provides to owners corporations and owners:
For more information on by-laws or any legal enquiries, please contact Bannermans Lawyers at 02 9929 0226 or at enquiries@bannermans.com.au.
***The information contained in this article is general information only and not legal advice. The currency, accuracy and completeness of this article (and its contents) should be checked by obtaining independent legal advice before you take any action or otherwise rely upon its contents in any way.
Prepared by Bannermans Lawyers
15 January 2026
This is an extract from our Renovation Approval & By-Laws eBook.
To read more fill in the below form to download our Renovation Approval & By-Laws eBook for free.
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