In a world where we’re constantly navigating the balance between community living and personal freedom, a recent incident involving an Australian apartment’s strata committee has left many shaking their heads in disbelief. The committee’s latest memo, which has since gone viral, is a stark reminder of the sometimes absurd lengths to which residential governance can go in the pursuit of ‘harmony’.
The memo in question, which was shared by a tenant of the building, implored residents to engage in ‘quiet chopping’ and minimise ‘unnecessary kitchen noises’ such as the banging of pots, use of motorised appliances, and floor thumping. The strata committee’s note cited these sounds as disturbances that interfere with the peaceful enjoyment of other residents in the building.
The tenant’s frustration, which resonated with hundreds online, was not just about the request itself but the broader implications it has for apartment living. The strata committee’s note, while perhaps well-intentioned, seems to have crossed a line for many, highlighting a growing concern over the over-regulation of everyday life.
The committee’s call for noise minimisation is based on the first by-law, which is highlighted in red in the memo, stating that occupiers must not make noise that interferes with others’ peace. However, the tenant, who has lived in the building for years, pointed out that he rarely noticed noise from other apartments and suggested that the complaints might be driven by one particular owner with a penchant for passive-aggressive communication.
The reaction to the memo was swift and varied, with many expressing disbelief and sarcasm. Comments ranged from mocking the idea of living in a city but desiring silence, to questioning the practicality of enforcing such rules in a space designed for activities like cooking. The notion of ‘unnecessary kitchen noise’ was particularly baffling to many, as chopping and cooking are inherent functions of a kitchen.
The tenant also highlighted a concerning aspect of the memo, suggesting that it seemed to target renters specifically, implying a divide between owners and non-owners within the building. This raises questions about the dynamics of strata living and the potential for discrimination against certain groups of residents.
We’d love to hear from you, our readers, about your experiences with strata living. Have you ever received an ‘unhinged’ request from your strata committee? How do you balance the need for peace with the practicalities of daily life? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below, and let’s navigate the complexities of modern living together.
I purchased a unit in a strata building some years ago. There were 21 units in total and 5 commercial shopfronts – some owner/occupiers and some renters. I joined the committee to learn about the ins and outs of strata living. All went along fine for a couple of years. Then some units were resold as happens. One of these owners joined the committee the following year and this couple had become friends with another owner/occupier couple as well as one of the commercial owner/occupiers. Then the issues started – wanting things done their way, complaints against other owner/occupiers and tenants and it became very nasty. Wanted money spent when there were insufficient funds. After 5 years of owning my unit which I loved and nasty messages and emails, I had had enough and sold my unit to escape. I would never ever own a strata home.
People everywhere in the west are becoming too puffed up with their own self importance.
They will eventually regulate our society out of existence.
Didn’t have this type of complaints, as our units were ground floor only. When the unit was purchased, the strata fees were reasonable. A couple of years later, the fees were doubled! Got out of there quickly, as there was nothing being done for us.
Committees can become a haven for puffed up little people and heaven forbid if you ask a question as to why they are proposing something. We have found when the voting committee members are way to friendly with the building managers (who happen to own a few units in complex) then you start to see favours emerging. We’ve taken the BC to conciliation 2 times already and were successful both times as the committee is under the illusion if they vote for something then it is set in stone. Learn what your state’s regulations are.