Tips for hosting apartment parties
Whether it be celebrating a birthday, an engagement or just catching up with friends, everyone loves a good party. With one in ten Australians calling an apartment home, hosting a party in close proximity to your neighbours is a challenge for many.
Here are our tips on hosting a party in an apartment:
- Check your by-laws or building rules
- Keep the neighbours happy
- Make the most of your safe space
- Follow the campfire rule
Check your by-laws or building rules
Each strata scheme has a unique set of by-laws that govern the residence. Pay extra attention to by-laws or building rules regarding visitor parking, maximum occupancy, smoking, pets and garbage areas. By-laws or building rules may also contain information about how often and how long you can use common areas and facilities. It may be necessary to inform guests of certain rules prior to their arrival and think of some solutions to ensure that both neighbours and guests are kept happy.
Keep the neighbours happy
Nobody wants a disgruntled neighbour to spoil the fun and ask you to “keep it down” midway through your favourite song. By informing your fellow building compatriots of the party, they will be aware of any potential disruption or extra noise. Extending an invite may also be a good opportunity to get to know your neighbours. If there is a dedicated entertaining area in your building or complex, it may be worth taking advantage of these facilities and moving the noise and possible disruption away from the heavily residential part of your building.
Make the most of your safe space
Create the illusion of space by using all possible rooms and balconies in your apartment or by rearranging the furniture. In doing so, your party will be less cramped, thus reducing the risk of breakages. However, you will need to consider the risks associated with each area in use, especially if there are children present. Ensuring that child locks are attached to windows and emergency exit paths are accessible, are pivotal to keeping your guests safe and preventing accidents.
Follow the campfire rule
The old saying “take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints” best summarises how a common area should be left after use – except the footprints should definitely be imaginary (or mopped up). To save time, clean as you go and have all of the necessary cleaning equipment and products ready at the start of the party. Having garbage bins placed throughout the area during festivities will help avoid a shocking mess at the end. If the furniture is moved around, it needs to be put back to its prior position. Likewise, if a common BBQ is used it will need to be cleaned.
Important note
If you have lots of garbage and items for removal after a party, you may need to consider contacting the local council for a pick up rather than use the common property bins.
If you’d like to find out more on dealing with noise on your strata property, download our FREE Community Living guide on managing disputes. Or for a consultation to review your by-laws or building rules by our Kemps Petersons Legal team, click here.