On 11 October 2021, the Real Property Amendment (Certificates of Title) Act 2021 commenced, which abolished the Certificates of Title (CTs) and the control of the right to deal (CoRD) framework. All existing CTs have been cancelled and CTs will no longer be issued. Existing CTs will not need to be produced, and CoRD holder consent will not be required, for a dealing or plan to be registered. All existing Guidelines subject to this change are currently being reviewed and will be updated to reflect these changes. For further information regarding the abolition of CTs, please see https://www.registrargeneral.nsw.gov.au/property-and-conveyancing/eConveyancing/abolition-of-certificates-of-title

Are bathroom tiles common property?

Before attempting to identify whether any item in a strata scheme is common property or part of a lot you must look at:

  1. The registered strata plan and
  2. A current search of the Certificate of Title for the Common Property.

1. The registered strata plan

The registered strata plan, specifically the floor plan, is the only document that legally defines the boundaries of the lots in the scheme. Every thing that is not part of a lot is common property. Each strata plan can be different. However, in a typical strata plan the following principles generally apply:

  • Boundaries of lots that are defined by a structural feature such as a wall are shown on the floor plan by thick linework. The wall itself is common property.
  • Boundaries of lots defined by measured lines only are shown by thin linework.Typically the only walls that are shown on the plan are the perimeter walls of the unit. These walls are common property. All internal walls (ie walls between rooms in the unit) are part of the lot.
  • The structure of the floors and ceilings are common property.
  • Any tiles that were originally affixed to a common property surface (ie wall, floor or ceiling) at the time of registration of the plan are also common property, unless the plan specifically states otherwise.
  • Any tiles affixed to non-common property walls belong to the lot.

In view of the above principles, tiles on a bathroom wall that is shown by thick linework on the floor plan or tiles on a bathroom floor, are common property provided that they were in place at the date of registration of the plan. It is possible for some bathroom walls (including the tiles) to be common property and others to be part of the lot.

2. Certificate of Title for the Common Property

A current search of the Certificate of Title for the Common Property should be always be obtained to ensure that there has been no change to the strata scheme, which will effect the above determinations. Registration of action such as strata plans of subdivision and changes of by laws may affect common property or issues of maintenance and repair of common property.

The above general principles are not restricted to bathrooms and apply to tiles affixed to any surface in the strata scheme.