[Sydney] Adding island kitchen in apartment - need strata approval?

Hi all.

I'm looking an an apartment in Sydney. We like the location/layout etc but the one thing is that the kitchen is too small.

There's plenty of space enough to add an average sized kitchen island.

The agent of course says it's cheap and easy to add one, and strata approval is not required.

But wanted to ask the experts here whether strata is likely to take issue with the addition of a kitchen island?

I spoke to the kitchen reno people and they said strata does need to be notified and the building licence number provided, which sounds like they need to approve it first.

So the question is - is there any circumstance under which I may not be able to go ahead with the kitchen island installation (due to strata not approving/ committee voting against it for some unknown reason)?

Would appreciate any tips
Thank you

 

You are right not to trust the agent, they just want the sale, after that, any problems you encounter are yours alone.

Perhaps have a read of the strata bylaws? I'm not too handy when it comes to buying strata apartments and renovating them, but others have, hopefully they can help.

 

The main source of issue would be services. If you don't need power or water to the island then it is straightforward.

Power is probably not that complicated but you still need to modify common property (slab).

Adding new drains and water is more likely to be prohibitive.

 

Thanks I'm looking for a plain benchtop with cabinetry, no drain or power.

In a way it's just furniture, just bigger and heavier than those small trolley types with wheels.

So I gather strata should have no issues with it.

Thanks

 

Flooring is a big issue in strata so I've read, if you are modifying flooring it could be an issue.

 

If you are not altering anything - floor, plumbing, electricity - and just building a free-standing, movable island then I can’t see any problems.

As you say, it will be just a big piece of furniture.

 

And you may not need to involve strata at all

 

grab one of those big wooden tables from Ikea, whack a nice bench top on it. Could even put it up on wheels if you wanted.

No strata approval required.

Edit:
VADHOLMA Kitchen island, black, oak - Shop here - IKEA


Cheers,
Inertia.

 

Usually if no waterproofing is involved it's easier but it sounds like you'll still need OC approval
See leg here
STRATA SCHEMES MANAGEMENT ACT 2015 - SECT 110 Minor renovations by owners

 

Thanks all!

 

I also don't think it falls into the renovating kitchen category as you aren't changing the kitchen. That would be my opinion as a strata committee member as well. The issue with unnecessary approval is delay, complexity and potential cost (meetings etc). If I was on the strata committee I would run it past them perhaps.

 

Did you end up seeking strata approval @poby? (I would've assumed you wouldn't need to for the kind of change you've described and would have just gone ahead with it )