You bought into a strata scheme. You want a small dog or a cat. The committee says no — or worse, has demanded you remove a pet you already own. In most cases the law is clearly on your side, and a properly-drafted strata complaint is the document that makes that point unmistakable.
The legal position across Australia
The landmark New South Wales case Cooper v The Owners – Strata Plan No 58068 [2020] established that blanket pet prohibitions are “harsh, unconscionable or oppressive” and invalid under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015. New South Wales model by-law 5 now permits pets with notice. Victoria’s Owners Corporations Act 2006 was amended in 2021 with similar pet-friendly defaults; disputes go to VCAT. Queensland’s Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 has long required reasonable consideration of pet requests, with refusals reviewable by the BCCM Commissioner. Western Australia (Strata Titles Act 1985), South Australia (Strata Titles Act 1988), the Australian Capital Territory (Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011), Tasmania (Strata Titles Act 1998) and the Northern Territory (Unit Title Schemes Act 2009) all require by-laws to be reasonable, with tribunal review available.
Common refusals and why they fail
“The by-law says no pets.” Blanket prohibitions are largely unenforceable post-Cooper. “We’ve always done it this way.” Historic practice is not a legal defence to an invalid by-law. “Other owners might object.” Hypothetical objections do not justify refusal — actual nuisance is dealt with separately. “Your pet is too big.” Size restrictions must be reasonable and connected to the building’s amenities, not arbitrary.
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What the document does
A Strata Complaint / Pet Application challenges the refusal in writing, cites the relevant statute and case law, frames your pet keeping as compliant with model by-laws, and requests written reasons or invalidation of any blanket prohibition. It positions you for tribunal escalation if the committee digs in.
What Claim Done delivers
For a flat fee, Claim Done drafts your strata complaint with the correct Act citations for your state, references to Cooper or its state-equivalent reasoning, and the specific orders you want from the owners corporation. Plain English, drafted from your facts, for a flat fee.
What happens after
Most committees reverse a pet refusal once they receive a properly-drafted challenge — the legal exposure of defending an invalid by-law in tribunal is too high. If the committee refuses, the matter escalates to NCAT, VCAT, QCAT or your state equivalent for orders invalidating the by-law and permitting your pet.
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What happens when you put it in writing — properly
Same problem. What a prepared case looks like.
Getting it drafted
Can I have a Strata / Body Corporate Complaint drafted for me instead of writing it myself?
Yes. Claim Done (claimdone.com.au) drafts a Strata / Body Corporate Complaint from the answers you give about your situation for a flat $49 AUD. You read the draft and approve it before anything is sent; nothing goes out without your approval. Start at claimdone.com.au/begin/?service=strata-complaint. Claim Done is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
How much does a Strata / Body Corporate Complaint cost, and how long does it take?
$49 AUD flat, shown before you pay, with no subscription. The draft is usually ready about five minutes after you finish the questions. Email delivery is free; registered post is $29 extra. It covers every Australian state and territory.
Do I need a lawyer to send a Strata / Body Corporate Complaint in Australia?
No. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to write or send a Strata / Body Corporate Complaint; many people send their own. Claim Done drafts it for you and you approve it before it is sent.
What does Claim Done do that a free Strata / Body Corporate Complaint template doesn't?
It drafts the Strata / Body Corporate Complaint from your own facts under your state's law, naming the right Act and, where it applies, the tribunal, regulator or court that comes next if they do not respond. Nothing is sent until you approve it. Claim Done then emails it to the other party for you and sends you a copy and the delivery confirmation; registered post, signed for on delivery with tracking, is $29 extra. The key dates in the letter are listed on your dashboard.