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On Australia Day, tenants will want to celebrate, but you don’t want them to do permanent damage to your property management portfolio. Here’s the definitive guide for PMs to ensure everyone has a fair shake of the sauce bottle this long weekend.
There is nothing wrong with having a bit of fun over the public holiday, but it is also important to make sure that your fun does not negatively affect surrounding neighbours, Grant Mifsud, partner at Archers the Strata Professionals, warns.
“While millions of Australians plan to rejoice on 26 January, it’s also time to remember to be considerate, particularly if you are celebrating in an apartment complex,” Mr Mifsud said.
“Unfortunately, there will be some parties where guests behave badly and excessive noise and other issues could prompt complaints from neighbouring residents.”
To avoid complaints being made against unit owners or tenants during Australia Day apartment gatherings, Mr Mifsud has these tips:
Boardies, not budgies
With Australia Day predicted to be a scorcher right in the middle of the current heat wave the eastern states are facing, property owners should be letting their tenants know that they should be dressing appropriately.
“There is a trend this summer for skimpy swimwear which has caused some problems in apartment complexes, particularly as more families move into units instead of houses,” Mr Mifsud said.
“This has even sparked some confrontations in recent months. Party guests should be appropriately attired.”
Don’t be a loud larrikin
No matter where you may be positioned in an apartment, be it a balcony, communal areas, or even inside an apartment, your other tenants are liable to make noise anywhere. While you cannot tell them to keep quiet for the whole day, it is important that things do not get to Corey Worthington levels of party.
“Property bylaws will require any noise able to be heard by the neighbours ending by a certain time, usually before 10pm,” Mr Mifsud said.
“If you do adjourn inside to keep partying, avoid any clatter and stomping from dancing or party shenanigans disturbing the occupants of the unit below and neighbouring properties.”
Dealing with shrimps after the barbie
Nearly everyone loves a good prawn, but if the discarded seafood scraps are not dealt with in a timely manner, your tenants could create quite the pong for their neighbours.
“Please remember that [the] summer heat does evil things to the scraps,” Mr Mifsud warned.
“The smell of prawns dumped in garbage bins days before collection can potentially foul the entire unit complex. Wrap scraps and freeze them until the night before your complex’s collection.”
Watch out for smoke and smokos
Australia Day celebrations are known for their usage of barbeques and some guests may want to hang out on the balcony and light up a cigarette, so tenants should be mindful about how smoke could impact on surrounding neighbours.
“Food can easily catch fire or, worse, gas bottles can explode, potentially causing a major structural blaze. Check gas bottles before using,” Mr Mifsud said.
“Unit owners and tenants also need to consider whether smoke from someone lighting up a cigarette on their balcony will bother neighbours.”
Don’t park like Brown’s cows
Getting to a party is one thing, but ensuring guests leave without complication is another. Making sure they use adequate parking is vital so as to not block other guests or neighbours from entering or leaving the complex.
“If there are time limits on visitor parking, remind your visitors when they should move their vehicle,” Mr Mifsud said.
“Encourage them to park on the street or in a safe spot nearby, or better still, come to the party via taxi or Uber.”
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