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 →
These are some of the most frequently adopted by-laws or approvals that strata schemes adopt and which concern renovation work:
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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