In NSW strata buildings, window safety devices are usually an owners corporation issue. NSW Government guidance says owners corporations are responsible for installing and repairing window safety locks unless the strata scheme has adopted a by-law that says otherwise.
For strata managers, this creates a practical responsibility: the building needs a system for checking whether the relevant windows have safety devices, whether those devices remain in working condition and whether repairs have been completed. It is not enough to assume a previous installation still covers the building today.
Responsibility can become confusing because windows may sit inside individual apartments while the compliance obligation is managed at the building level. Residents may also remove keys, disengage devices, report broken windows late or block access. This is why a clear inspection and reporting process matters.
The best approach is to keep a current report. The report should list inspected lots, unavailable lots, common areas, device condition, defects, photos and recommended next steps. When defects are repaired, the repaired items should be reinspected and the report updated or supplemented.
Haven Compliance helps strata managers and owners corporations manage this process. We inspect child safety window locks and restrictors, identify defects, provide photo-backed reports and support rectification through our partnership with Remsafe.
Practical manager checklist
Confirm whether the building has a current window safety report.
- Check whether all lots were accessed.
- Identify missing, damaged or failed devices.
- Record unavailable access separately.
- Arrange rectification for defects.
- Reinspect repaired items.
- Store records with annual compliance documents.
If your owners corporation needs a current window safety inspection record, request a quote from Haven Compliance.
Why responsibility needs to be documented
Responsibility becomes difficult when no one can find the current records. A manager may inherit a building with old invoices, partial spreadsheets, missing photos or no clear list of which units were checked. In that situation, the safest step is often to create a fresh inspection baseline.
A baseline report gives the owners corporation a practical starting point. It can show where devices are present, where they are defective, where access was unavailable and where rectification is required. It also gives the manager a record to use when communicating with owners and tenants.
What owners corporations should ask for
Owners corporations should ask for a report that is clear, not just a certificate-style sentence. The report should show inspected locations, defects, photos and follow-up items. If repairs are completed, the repaired items should be reinspected and documented.
The owners corporation should also make sure resident communication is handled properly. Residents need to know why access is required, what will be inspected and what happens if a device needs repair.
When to book a new inspection
Book a new inspection when records are missing, before an annual review, after a change of strata manager, after rectification works, after resident complaints or when there is uncertainty about whether all lots were accessed previously.
How Haven helps close the loop
Haven’s role is to make the responsibility manageable. We help identify the relevant windows, document current device condition, record unavailable access and provide a report the strata manager can use with the owners corporation. If defects are found, Haven can support the next step through its partnership with Remsafe. Once repairs are completed, the relevant items can be reinspected so the manager is not left with an open compliance question.
This is the point many buildings miss. Responsibility is not only about who pays for a device. It is about who keeps the process moving until the building has clear evidence that the devices have been inspected, defects have been addressed and annual inspection records are maintained.
Practical wording for strata committees
Use simple language when sending this to owners: “The owners corporation needs a current record showing that relevant window safety devices have been inspected and any defects have been followed up.” This avoids turning the issue into a technical argument and keeps the committee focused on evidence, safety and maintenance.
