Do the model rules apply to my townhouse?

If your townhouse is in an owners corporation and the owners corporation has made no rules, they apply in full. If it has registered rules, those apply and the model rules fill any topic they skip. Check the rules attached to the owners corporation certificate for the scheme you are looking at.

Can the rules change after I buy?

Yes. CAV says owners can make, amend or revoke rules by special resolution, and a new or changed rule applies only once it is registered at Land Use Victoria. The rules attached to the certificate when you buy are therefore a starting point, not a permanent set.

Where are the model rules written down?

In the Owners Corporations Regulations 2018, and CAV offers a Word copy of the full text. CAV's pages describe them as Schedule 1 of the Regulations. The authorised Regulations on the Victorian legislation website show the current schedule number, which is worth checking before quoting a rule.

What if a rule seems unfair?

CAV says a rule must not unfairly discriminate against an owner or occupier or conflict with the law. A lot owner can raise a concern through the internal complaints process, and VCAT can hear owners corporation disputes. Legal advice is worth considering before relying on this point, because each case turns on its own facts.

Owners corporation model rules in Victoria: what they cover

The model rules are a default set of rules for Victorian owners corporations, set out in the Owners Corporations Regulations 2018. They apply in full if an owners corporation makes no rules, and they fill the gaps if its own rules stay silent on a topic. This page reflects Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) guidance and its published copy of the model rules as at October 2026.

If an owners corporation's own rules do not cover a topic that the model rules cover, the model rule on that topic is treated as part of its rules.

Rules differ by state. Queensland and NSW call their equivalents by-laws, and this page is about Victoria.

Checked October 2026. Rules, rates and prices change, so confirm anything that matters with the source linked below.

What the model rules cover

The model rules are short. These are the headings and what each says, in summary.

Topic	Rule	What it says
Health, safety and security	1.1 to 1.5	No use of a lot that creates a hazard for others. Flammable chemicals, liquids or gas need the owners corporation's written approval, except for domestic use and vehicle fuel tanks. Waste must not harm others' health or comfort. Smoke must not drift between lots in multi-level developments. Owners must give occupiers fire safety advice
Committees	2.1	A committee can appoint sub-committee members without going back to the owners corporation
Management	3.1	The owners corporation cannot recover more from an owner or occupier for goods or services than the supplier would have charged
Common property	4.1 to 4.3	Do not obstruct others' use. Written approval is needed to use common property as a garden, or to damage or alter it. Park only in designated areas, not in a space allocated to another lot or across a driveway. Soundly built security devices and insect screens that suit the building are allowed
Lots	5.1 to 5.3	Tell the owners corporation if a change of use affects its insurance premiums. Get written approval before changing a lot's external appearance, which cannot be unreasonably withheld. Notify renovations that may affect common property or neighbours
Behaviour	6.1 and 6.2	Take reasonable steps to stop guests unreasonably interfering with others. No unreasonable noise, unless the owners corporation has given written permission
Dispute resolution	7	A written grievance procedure with a meeting within 28 calendar days

Rule 1.4 on smoke refers to multi-level developments, so it is unlikely to matter in a row of townhouses.

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What the model rules leave out

Pets. The only animal rule lets an owners corporation resolve that an animal is a danger or a nuisance to the common property. It must then give reasonable notice, and the owner must remove the animal. Assistance animals are excluded. CAV says a blanket pet ban may be unfair.
Short stay accommodation. CAV says that from 1 January 2025 an owners corporation can make a rule banning it by special resolution, but not for a lot that is the owner's or occupier's principal place of residence.
Noise hours. Rule 6.2 bans unreasonable noise likely to interfere with others' peaceful enjoyment of common property, unless the owners corporation has given written permission, but it sets no times. CAV says rules about noise should be made in accordance with environment protection laws.

Rules in a new development

For a new townhouse project, a buyer receives the rules registered at Land Use Victoria with the owners corporation certificate, which this guide to the certificate explains. CAV says owners can make, amend or revoke rules later, so the rules at the time of purchase are not necessarily permanent.

How an owners corporation makes its own rules

Draft. CAV suggests the committee, secretary or manager draft rules using the model rules' headings and state whether each model rule applies. A rule must relate to the control, management, administration, use or enjoyment of common property or a lot. CAV lists topics rules can cover, such as health and safety, use of common property, behaviour, vehicles and parking, and payment of fees.
Give notice. The notice of the meeting or ballot should include the text of the resolution and the proposed rules, sent at least 14 days ahead.
Vote. Rules need a special resolution: 75% of the votes, or 75% of lot entitlements if the decision is made by ballot or poll. An interim special resolution can pass with at least 50% in favour and no more than 25% against, but it can be acted on only after 29 days, and only if no petition from owners holding about a quarter of the votes is received. CAV words that petition test in more than one way, so check its guidelines for the exact rule.
Register. The secretary certifies a consolidated copy, which is lodged with Land Use Victoria to be recorded on the plan of subdivision. CAV says unregistered rules are void and cannot be enforced.
Tell people. CAV says to notify lot owners, tenants and other occupiers, update the owners corporation register and, if there is a noticeboard, post the consolidated rules.

Worked example. In a 10-lot scheme voting at a meeting with one vote per lot, 75% of 10 votes is 7.5, so at least 8 lots must vote yes. An interim special resolution needs at least 5 yes votes (50% of 10) and no more than 2 no votes, because 25% of 10 is 2.5. Three lots hold 30% of the votes, which is more than a quarter, so they could petition against it.

Some rules are not allowed. CAV says a rule must not unfairly discriminate against an owner or occupier, and must not conflict with or limit the Act or any other law. It gives a ban on children living in a lot (outside retirement villages) and limits on a guide dog as examples. Rules also cannot unreasonably block solar panels and similar sustainability items on a lot's exterior.

Who the rules bind

CAV says registered rules apply to the owners corporation, lot owners, tenants, sub-lessees and occupiers, and that all lot owners and tenants must be given a copy of the rules before they move in. Model rule 6.1 also requires an owner or occupier to take reasonable steps to stop guests unreasonably interfering with others' enjoyment of the common property.

When someone breaks a rule

A lot owner, occupier or manager can complain in writing to the owners corporation using the approved form. If it decides not to act, it must give written reasons. If it does act, it sends a notice to rectify giving 28 days, then can send a final notice giving another 28 days before applying to VCAT.

A complainant can ask the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria to help, but only if all parties agree to take part. VCAT can order compliance and impose a penalty for breaches of rules, and the amount is set by the Act.

Common questions

Do the model rules apply to my townhouse?: If your townhouse is in an owners corporation and the owners corporation has made no rules, they apply in full. If it has registered rules, those apply and the model rules fill any topic they skip. Check the rules attached to the owners corporation certificate for the scheme you are looking at.
Can the rules change after I buy?: Yes. CAV says owners can make, amend or revoke rules by special resolution, and a new or changed rule applies only once it is registered at Land Use Victoria. The rules attached to the certificate when you buy are therefore a starting point, not a permanent set.
Where are the model rules written down?: In the Owners Corporations Regulations 2018, and CAV offers a Word copy of the full text. CAV's pages describe them as Schedule 1 of the Regulations. The authorised Regulations on the Victorian legislation website show the current schedule number, which is worth checking before quoting a rule.
What if a rule seems unfair?: CAV says a rule must not unfairly discriminate against an owner or occupier or conflict with the law. A lot owner can raise a concern through the internal complaints process, and VCAT can hear owners corporation disputes. Legal advice is worth considering before relying on this point, because each case turns on its own facts.

Keep reading

Sources

This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Get advice that suits your situation before you buy.