Summary

In certain circumstances, the addition of a second story to a strata unit may make financial sense. It would give the occupants additional living space, without the costs associated with moving. In addition to requiring approval from the local Shire, it will also be necessary to get the approval from other owners within the scheme.

You will need advice based on your strata plan and by-laws. Generally, unless you are in a Survey Strata Scheme, the following will apply;

1. Run the idea past all other owners to get approval in principle. You will need unanimous approval (and likely also the approval from any owners mortgagees). If you can’t get people to approve this in principle, then going forward will cost you potentially thousands of dollars, and you may not be able to progress at all.
   
   
2. Contact an independent Surveyor or specialist (such as Links Surveying) for a quote on completing a common property merger, having the strata plan redrafted and the Units of Entitlement re-valued.
   
   
3. You will also need to get your building plans approved by the local shire, and get approval from the strata company by Resolution without Dissent at a General Meeting, to get approval to start the build.  
   
   
4. Once the build is completed, you would need to get the new strata plan and Units of Entitlement approved at a General Meeting by way of a unanimous resolution.