Five tips for decorating an apartment safely

Five tips for decorating an apartment safely
Jennifer DukeDecember 7, 2020

When decorating an apartment for Christmas, it’s worth remembering your responsibilities and to seek clarification from your body corporate, according to Archers Body Corporate Management.

Apparently, certain decorations and lights can break the building’s by-laws and require approval.

Archer’s strata manager Wayne Hewitt said that the majority of unit owners and tenants are unaware of the repercussions.

“Most bodies corporate have by-laws prohibiting additions to the exterior of the building, including hanging Christmas decorations and lights from balconies and windows,” Hewitt said.

He notes that the body corporate can advise on the extent of the decorations allowed, how long they can be displayed for and where is appropriate to have them.

Here are their five Christmas decoration tips:

  • Check with your body corporate before putting up your Christmas decorations to ensure you’re not in breach of any by-laws.

  • Before you install Christmas lights, check over the cables to ensure they are not faulty. Faulty lights can be the cause of fires which can not only affect your property but the entire building.

  • If you have approval to decorate your balcony ensure that decorations are secured well so they won’t be a hazard in strong wind or summer storms.

  • Ensure that your decorations do not block any walkways or emergency exit points of the building and are not on common property.

  • Make sure you adhere to your body corporate’s prescribed time lines and guidelines for how long decorations can be displayed.

Source: Archers Body Corporate Management

Jennifer Duke

Jennifer Duke was a property writer at Property Observer

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