One of the joys of owning an apartment is making it your own. While you can style the interior to your taste, the same flexibility doesn’t always extend to your front door or the corridor outside it.

In NSW strata schemes, entry doors that face common property and the hallways themselves fall under the control of the owners corporation. That means decisions about paint colours, finishes, carpets, and styling are made collectively—not individually.

Can You Add Personal Touches?

It’s natural to want to personalise your entryway. Some owners like to add a decorative door knocker, or place a doormat or small shoe rack outside for cultural reasons or convenience.

But here’s the rule: you cannot alter or decorate your entry door or the common corridor without approval from the strata committee.

Even something as small as a door knocker or mat technically alters the appearance or use of common property.

Why Permission Matters

There are practical reasons behind the rule.

• Uniformity: Keeping hallways consistent avoids a patchwork look.
• Safety: Mats, racks, or decorations can obstruct hallways in emergencies.
• Insurance: Some additions can raise liability or void insurance cover.

For these reasons, approval from the committee should always be sought before making changes.

What Happens If You Don’t Seek Approval?

If an owner personalises their door or hallway without approval, the strata committee is entitled to ask them to remove the item.

If the owner refuses, the matter can escalate to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). At that stage, penalties or compliance orders may apply.

Respecting Common Areas

The key to strata living is recognising that common areas are shared by everyone. While it’s reasonable to want to make your entryway inviting, it’s equally important to respect neighbours’ rights to safe, uniform, and uncluttered corridors.

Metro Strata’s Advice

From our experience at Metro Strata, most of these issues can be resolved with open communication. Owners who seek approval in advance usually find the committee willing to work with them, especially if safety and insurance are considered.

And if you ever feel another owner is taking liberties with common property, you have the right to make a formal complaint to your strata manager, who can guide the committee toward a fair resolution.

Final Word

Strata rules around entry doors and common areas may feel restrictive, but they exist to balance personal choice with community safety and harmony.