What approvals are required for an owner to install cameras on common property?
Posted 27 February 2025
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It will depend on whether the camera will be installed within the lot or outside the lot.
Cameras within the lot
If the camera will be installed within the lot, it will usually be under Section 109 – Cosmetic work by owners or Section 110 – Minor renovations by owners of the SSMA.
Section 109 of the SSMA provides that:
“109 Cosmetic work by owners
(1) The owner of a lot in a strata scheme may carry out cosmetic work to common property in connection with the owner’s lot without the approval of the owners corporation.
(2) Cosmetic work includes but is not limited to work for the following purposes –
(a)Installing or replacing hooks, nails or screws for hanging painting and other things on walls……”
If the lot owner simply just sticks the camera to the internal wall. It may well just be cosmetic works. The lot owner will not need to obtain the owners corporation’s consent.
Section 110 of the SSMA provides that: “110 Minor renovation by owners
(1) The owner of a lot in a strata scheme may carry out work for the purposes of minor renovations
to common property in connection with the owner’s lot with the approval of the owners corporation
given by resolution at a general meeting. A special resolution authorising the work is not required
……
(3) Minor renovations include but are not limited to work for the purposes of the following –
……
(d)installing or replacing wiring or cabling or power or access points……”
So if the installation of the camera will involve the installation of wiring or cabling, the installation may need the owners corporation’s consent by a ordinary resolution at a general meeting.
Cameras outside the lot
If the lot owner intends to install the camera outside the lot. It is likely that the lot owner will need to seek the owners corporation’s consent through a special resolution. The installation of a camera outside the lot on the common property if visible from outside the lot will change the external appearance of the lot. This is specifically excluded from cosmetic work under Section 109
(5) (c) and minor renovation works under Section
110 (7)(c) of SSMA, and will thus fall on Section 108 of the SSMA as changing the common property.
Section 108 of the SSMA provides that: “108 Changes to common property
(1) Procedure for authorising changes to common property. An owners corporation or an owner of a
lot in a strata scheme may add to the common property, alter the common property or erect a new
structure on common property for the purpose of improving or enhancing the common property.
(2) Any such action may be taken by the owners corporation or owner only if a special resolution
has first been passed by the owners corporation that specifically authorises the taking of the
particular action proposed.”
Therefore, if the lot owner intends to install cameras outside the lot on the common property, the lot owner will need to seek the owners corporation’s consent through a special resolution.
This is an extract from our CCTV in Strata eBook.
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