Smoking in a community title scheme
Nuisances (of all types) in community title schemes are one of the most motivating reasons for disputes. Of those varying types of nuisances, smoking has always been at the top of the list of polarising issues.
Owners and bodies corporate have usually come up short in trying to prevent smoking in a scheme, irrespective of the issues that it has caused.
For some time there has been talk of legislative reform to allow smoking to be banned. This position has generally received strong support, but has never eventuated.
A recent Office of the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management (OCBCCM) decision has shown how an order restricting smoking can be achieved – by not treating it as a nuisance!
Usual position
The starting point for nuisances has always been section 167 of the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (Qld) (BCCMA) which relevantly is titled “Nuisances” and provides that:
167 Nuisances
The occupier of a lot included in a community titles scheme must not use, or permit the use of, the lot or the common property in a way that—
(a) causes a nuisance or hazard; or
(b) interferes unreasonably with the use or enjoyment of another lot included in the scheme; or
(c) interferes unreasonably with the use or enjoyment of the common property by a person who is lawfully on the common property.
The Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 (Qld) (TOSPA) then essentially provided that smoking in a substantially enclosed area on common property was unlawful.
This meant that bodies corporate would typically seek to prevent smoking by installing a by-law. As a by-law cannot prohibit conduct that is lawful, it would try and regulate the smoking to the same extent as section 167 of the BCCMA and TOSPA.
This meant the body corporate needed to prove the smoking (which was not in a substantially enclosed area of common property) caused a nuisance or interfered unreasonably.
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal decision of Norbury v Hogan [2010] QCAT 296 is the leading decision on what was needed to prove a breach of section 167 of the BCCMA and has since been adopted by adjudicators.
For example, in Sun Crest [2010] QBCCMCmr 524 the adjudicator relevantly provided:
“The test of nuisance is an objective one and determined ‘in light of ordinary notions of reasonable standards for the use and enjoyment of a Lot … Once that is acknowledged, a finding that s. 167 is offended could only be made, in the circumstances arising here, if it was established that the cigarette smoke emanating from [the lot] is of such volume or frequency that it would interfere unreasonably with the life of another lot owner of ordinary sensitivity.”
Essentially evidence was needed to prove the location and source of the smoke, as well as the volume – and that this created an unreasonable interference or nuisance. Whilst it was common that this standard was likely to have been met, proving it was almost impossible because measuring the volume of smoke can only be done with expensive equipment.
What has changed now?
Nothing.
However, a recently circulated OCBCCM decision at Artique Resort has suggested a different way of applying section 167 of the BCCMA.
Section 167 of the BCCMA refers not only to nuisances and unreasonable interferences. It also refers to hazards in subsection (a).
If sufficient evidence of the smoking can be put forward that proves the smoking creates a hazard, as opposed to an unreasonable interference, a breach of section 167 can be made out.
What should bodies corporate do?
The body corporate does not need a by-law to enforce section 167 of the BCCMA. However, implementation of a proper by-law that encompasses hazards as well as nuisances is best practice.
This allows by-law contravention notices to be properly issued (which can be a more practical step) without the need to wait for an order of the adjudicator – which can take months or years.
If you need help with smoking issues at the scheme, please contact us.
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