Owners Corporation SP 49822 v. May & Ors

The owners of a Strata Corporation alleged that one of the occupiers of the complex was creating a nuisance by causing smoke to penetrate adjoining lots. The respondents were smoking inside their own dwelling but the applicant alleged that the smoke was penetrating adjoining lots through walls and the air-conditioning system, and that this created a nuisance in breach of s117 of the Strata Schemes Management Act.

The Adjudicator found, on the balance of probabilities, that smoke penetration caused a significant problem for the occupiers of adjoining lots and amounted to a nuisance. The Adjudicator further found that the cause of the nuisance was the respondents' smoking, noting that "[i]n the extreme, compliance with the orders will mean that the Tenants cannot smoke in the lot they occupy; but that is the consequence of the nuisance and the lack of enjoyment which the smoking creates."

Owners Corporation SP 49822 v. May & Ors [2006] NSWCTTT 739 (6 November 2006)

  • Australia
  • Nov 6, 2006
  • Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal, Strata and Community Schemes Division
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Parties

Plaintiff Owners Corporation SP 49822

Defendant Chris May and Linda Crossan; Ingwe Group Holdings Pty Limited

Legislation Cited

Strata Schemes Management Act 1996 (NSW)

Related Documents

Type of Litigation

Tobacco Control Topics

Substantive Issues

Type of Tobacco Product

None

"What then is the “real cause”? In my opinion, the real cause is the smoking by the Tenants. It may be that, as they submit, their smoking is not excessive. The question is whether the result of their smoking leads to excessive odours in the adjoining lots. On the evidence, I am satisfied that it does. Lack of complaint from previous neighbours is really irrelevant to the resolution of the question. What I am to consider is the impact on these neighbours. Again, the conclusion I draw from the evidence, and in particular from the submissions for E A Jackson and the Fletchers is that the smoke odours cause considerable interference with their enjoyment of their lots, and that the odours constitute a nuisance."