Storage Cages in Strata Buildings: What Owners and Committees Need to Know

Apartment living is great until you run out of room for the bikes, the camping gear and the boxes you can't quite throw out. A storage cage in your car space or basement lot is a popular fix. Getting it approved is where people tend to get stuck.

Quick answer: whether you can install a storage cage depends on who owns the space, what your scheme's by-laws say, and your building's fire safety rules. Always check with your strata manager before you order. This article is general information, not legal advice.

Who owns the space?

Start here, because everything else follows from it.

In a strata building, the land and building are split into two types of property. Lot property belongs to you as the owner. Common property is owned collectively by everyone in the scheme and managed by the owners corporation (called a body corporate in Queensland).

Car spaces and basement storage lots can fall on either side of that line. In some schemes the car space is part of your lot. In others it is common property that your lot has the right to use. The strata plan and your by-laws tell you which applies, and the answer changes who can say yes to a cage.

Rules also differ by state, and sometimes from scheme to scheme. NSW has strata schemes, Victoria has owners corporations and Queensland has body corporates, each under different legislation. The NSW Government by-laws page is a good starting point if you are in NSW. In other states, your state's consumer affairs or body corporate authority is the place to look.

If you are not sure which type your space is, ask your strata manager for a copy of the strata plan and by-laws.

Approvals and by-laws

Even when the car space belongs to your lot, your scheme may still have by-laws that affect what you can build in it. If the space is common property, you will almost certainly need approval from the owners corporation or committee.

A request usually needs to cover:

• The size and height of the cage
• Exactly where it will sit
• What it is made from
• How it will be fixed or whether it is free standing
• Who will be responsible for it

Approval can take anywhere from a few days to a few months, depending on how often your committee meets and whether a general meeting vote is required. Asking early saves frustration.

A simple request checklist you can copy:

1. Your name, lot number and car space or storage lot number
2. A short description of the cage and its purpose
3. Dimensions (width, depth and height)
4. A photo or diagram showing where it will go
5. Materials and finish (for example, galvanised or powder coated steel mesh)
6. How it will be installed and whether anything is drilled or fixed to the building.
7. A confirmation that it will not block access paths, services or fire equipment.
8. A note that you will remove it and make good any damage if asked.

Attach the product details, the installation guide and a simple site photo. The easier you make it for the committee to say yes, the faster you will usually get an answer.

Fire safety and access

Fire safety is often what committees care about most, and it is a fair concern. Shared car parks and basements have rules that exist to keep people safe and to let emergency crews do their job.

Common questions committees ask include:

• Will the cage block a walkway, exit or emergency access path?
• Does it sit under or near sprinklers, and does it affect their coverage?
• Is it clear of hydrants, fire hose reels, meters and switchboards?
• Does it interfere with vehicles moving through the car park?

The rules and required clearances vary by building, age and location, so we can't give you a single number. Confirm the specifics with your strata manager or a qualified fire safety professional before you order. They can tell you what applies to your building.

One practical point: mesh is open by design. You can see through it, and air moves through it. That helps with visibility and ventilation, but it does not mean a cage is automatically compliant in your building. Treat it as one feature to discuss with your committee, not a guarantee.

Choosing and sizing a cage for a car space or basement lot

Once you know you can proceed, get the size right the first time.

• Measure the space. Check width, depth and the height to any pipes, beams or lights.
• Allow for your car. If the cage sits at the front or side of a car space, leave room for doors to swing open and for you to walk around the vehicle.
• Plan the gate. Put the gate where you can open it fully without hitting a wall, pillar or neighbouring car.
• Think about height. A taller cage gives more storage, but check ceiling clearance and any services above.

Mesh Storage cages can be made to suit awkward spaces, which helps in older buildings where nothing is square. See the custom sizing page for how it works, or browse the storage cages collection for standard sizes. For more ideas on making the most of a tight space, read our post on maximising storage in your apartment garage.

Installing without a headache

Many strata buildings have concrete floors and walls, and committees sometimes prefer that nothing is drilled into the structure. Before you commit to a cage, find out what your building allows. Some schemes are fine with fixed cages. Others will only approve free standing ones.

Check the installation guide so you can describe the fixing method accurately in your request. If you are comfortable with basic tools, our step by step guide to installing DIY mesh storage panels shows what is involved.

A short guide for committees

If you sit on a committee, a handful of storage cage requests can eat up a lot of meeting time. A simple standard policy saves you from reviewing each one from scratch.

Consider setting out:

• Approved sizes. A maximum width, depth and height for each type of space.
• Approved materials and finish. For example, steel mesh in a set colour.
• Labelling. A lot number on every cage so the owner is easy to identify.
• Clearances. Rules for keeping access paths, fire equipment and services clear, confirmed with your strata manager or fire safety adviser.
• A sign off process. Who reviews requests, how long it takes and what documents are needed.
• Removal and make good. What happens if the owner sells or the cage must be taken down.

A short policy gives owners clear expectations and gives the committee a consistent way to say yes or no.

Ready to plan your cage?

Start by confirming who owns your space and checking your by-laws. Then measure up, put together a short request and send it to your strata manager.

When you are ready, browse the storage cages collection or use the custom sizing page to get a cage that fits. If you manage or sit on a scheme, see our strata page and the apartment and car space storage page for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Strata rules vary by state and by scheme, so speak with your strata manager or a qualified professional about your situation.