What do I need to check before installing air conditioning in an apartment?

Consumer Affairs Victoria explains that common property is identified on the plan of subdivision. A balcony, wall or service route should not be assumed to belong entirely to an apartment simply because the owner uses it. Obtain the relevant plan and owners corporation rules, and ask the manager to clarify the approval process.

Work affecting common property needs the appropriate authority. Give the proposed scope to the owners corporation before installation is booked, and obtain advice if the boundary or required approval is unclear. An installer's quotation does not, by itself, resolve ownership or grant permission to alter the building.

Ask the installer for an understandable layout showing indoor and outdoor equipment, the pipe route, electrical supply, drainage and penetrations. Include dimensions and photographs where they help. A proposal that shows only a condenser on a balcony leaves important questions about walls, water disposal and future access unanswered.

Ask which finishes will be disturbed and how they will be made good. Where a shared or fire-rated building element could be affected, have the installer identify the required specialist assessment. Do not assume an existing hole or a neighbour's installation establishes a compliant route for your apartment.

Discuss outdoor airflow, vibration, nearby bedrooms and the space required for future servicing. Equipment that can be carried into position once must still be accessible for maintenance and eventual replacement. Ask whether the proposed mounting reduces usable balcony space or interferes with access and other building services.

Tell the installer about lift bookings, loading restrictions, contractor induction, permitted work arrangements and protection of shared areas. Confirm these with building management. In an occupied apartment block, those details should form part of the schedule and scope rather than being discovered when a delivery arrives.

Once the required permissions are in place, check that the accepted quote uses the same model locations and routes. If the building asks for a change, obtain a revised scope before work starts. Keep the approval, layout, quote and handover information together for future owners or building managers.

If you rent the apartment, involve the rental provider as well as any relevant building manager. If you own it, ask whether council or other approvals need investigation for the proposed external work. The answer depends on the property and scope, so there should be a named person responsible for confirming it.