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Top 10 Clotheslines for Strata or Apartment Blocks
Looking for the perfect clotheslines for use in an apartment block or strata situation?
We've got an awesome selection of clotheslines that work amazingly well in multi-level apartment blocks and medium density dwellings
In this blog post, we’ll navigate the world of strata by-laws, explore various clothesline options suitable for apartment living and provide guidance on installation, maintenance, and dealing with potential disputes.
Short Summary
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Understanding strata by-laws is essential when installing and utilizing clotheslines in apartment blocks.
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Owners Corporations and Body Corporate are responsible for enforcing these rules, while wall mounted, retractable and indoor drying racks offer space saving solutions that adhere to regulations.
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Consulting the owners corporation prior to installation as well as maintaining the clothesline regularly will help avoid disputes or complaints with regards to strata by-laws.
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Discover the best clothesline recommendations for Owners Corporation, Body Corporate, Strata or Apartment Blocks.
Topics in This Article:
Understanding Strata By-Laws and Clotheslines
Strata by-laws can be a source of confusion and frustration for apartment residents, especially when it comes to clotheslines and drying laundry.
These by-laws are designed to maintain property standards and protect common property, but they can also limit the implementation and utilization of clotheslines in apartment blocks.
For instance, some by-laws may stipulate that wet clothes may not be displayed in a visible manner from the exterior of the building, except on lines provided by the owners corporation or after strata approval.
To ensure compliance with the by-laws and avoid any potential issues, it’s important to:
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Familiarise yourself with your strata scheme’s by-laws regarding clotheslines and drying laundry.
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Consult with the strata manager or committee before installing any clothesline to ensure it meets the requirements set by the by-laws.
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If the by-laws restrict the use of clotheslines, consider alternative options such as using a drying rack or utilizing communal drying areas provided by the owners corporation.
By following these steps and adhering to the by-laws, you can effectively navigate the rules regarding clotheslines in your apartment building.
While the owners corporation has the right to enforce by-laws, including those related to clotheslines, they also have the responsibility to ensure that these rules are fair and reasonable for all residents.
In some cases, the owners corporation may amend the washing by-law to exclude certain residents or even repeal the by-law entirely, but this usually requires a special resolution.
Understanding the rights and responsibilities of both apartment residents and the owners corporation is essential for maintaining a harmonious living environment.
Strata Schemes and Common Property
Strata schemes are a unique form of property ownership where individual owners possess a unit or lot in a building, and collectively own the common property, such as shared laundry facilities and gardens.
Strata properties refer to any part of the building or land that is not owned by a single owner but is instead owned by all the owners of the building or land.
The rules governing strata schemes and common property can significantly impact the installation and utilisation of clotheslines.
For example, some strata schemes have by-laws prohibiting the hanging of washing, bedding, or any other fabric items if they are visible from another lot, the common property, or outside the property, unless the body corporate has issued written authorisation.
The Role of Owners Corporations
Owners corporations play a crucial role in administering the common property of property developments. Their duties include:
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Upkeep, repair, and general administration
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Ensuring adherence to by-laws
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Financial management
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Insurance
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Essential services
To enforce by-laws, owners corporations may issue notices, levy fines, and even take legal action when deemed necessary.
In case of disputes or complaints related to clotheslines or laundry drying, owners corporations may resort to mediation and conflict resolution, while also being cognisant of their respective rights and responsibilities.
Cooperation and open communication between residents and owners corporations are essential in maintaining a peaceful living environment and resolving any issues related to clotheslines and strata by-laws.
Types of Clotheslines Ideal for Strata or Apartment Blocks
When it comes to choosing a clothesline for your apartment block, it’s essential to find a solution that not only adheres to strata by-laws but also makes the most of the limited space available.
Several types of clotheslines are suitable for strata or apartment blocks:
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Wall Mounted Clotheslines
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Retractable Clotheslines
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Rotary Clothes Hoist or Hills Hoist
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Portable Clotheslines or Indoor Clothes Drying Racks
Each of these options offers unique benefits and drawbacks, making it important to carefully consider your specific needs and restrictions before deciding on the best solution for your apartment.
In the following sections, we’ll delve deeper into each of these clothesline options, exploring their compatibility with strata by-laws and providing guidance on installation, maintenance, and dealing with potential disputes.
By understanding the different types of clotheslines available and their suitability for apartment living, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision and enjoy hassle-free clothes drying in your apartment block.
Wall Mounted Clotheslines
Wall-mounted clothes lines are an excellent space-saving solution for apartment blocks, as they can be affixed to a wall or vertical surface and folded down when not in use.
Although these clotheslines may not be suitable for larger items like bed sheets and towels, they are perfect for hanging washing, such as smaller garments.
Typically made from resilient materials like galvanized steel, these clothes lines ensure durability and reliability.
Another great thing about wall mounted clotheslines which makes them great for strata or apartment block situations is the fact that most models can be converted to freestanding units.
Popular brands of fold down clotheslines such as ECO, Hills, and Austral do have optional ground mount kits compatible with a range of their fold down models.
Practical, reliable, and offers utmost flexibility, fold down clotheslines make for great clothes drying solutions that can pretty much work in any situation.
Retractable Clotheslines
Retractable clotheslines offer another space-saving solution for apartment balconies and shared spaces.
These clotheslines consist of lines that are drawn out from a cabinet box or housing and secured to a wall or post, and can be conveniently retracted when not in use.
This makes them an ideal option for those with limited outdoor space or strict strata by-laws.
When installing a retractable clothesline, it’s crucial to obtain approval from your owners corporation, select an appropriate location, and ensure proper maintenance and care.
If any disputes or complaints arise regarding your retractable clothesline, it’s important to understand your rights and responsibilities and pursue mediation and conflict resolution.
Rotary Clotheslines (Hills Hoist)
Rotary clotheslines are great units for strata or apartment blocks if there's ample outdoor space on the rooftop or ground areas.
Made of thick, galvanised steel frame and durable steel wires, these workhorses are great in a corporate or communal setting.
Less maintenance requirements apart from occasional lubrication, durable, lasts a long time, and boasts high capacity.
The best part of all is there's very little to no sagging and they come with very long warranties and low maintenance requirements.
Rotary hoists from Austral and Hills are designed for the extreme weather conditions we experience here in Australia which further attests to their reliability.
Not only that, they often come with very long warranties of around 20 years or more--lifetime warranty in the case of Hills products which is a big plus.
With so many aspects that can bode well for owners corporations, it's not hard to imagine why such entities would not want to equip big residential blocks with rotary hoists.
Portable Clotheslines or Indoor Clothes Drying Racks
Indoor clothes drying racks provide a portable and flexible alternative to outdoor clotheslines.
These racks are lightweight and can be easily moved between outdoor and indoor locations, depending on the weather.
As they do not require permanent installation, indoor drying racks can be used to dry clothes without contravening any strata by-laws.
While indoor drying racks may not be suitable for larger items like bedding and towels and may not dry clothes as quickly as outdoor clotheslines, they offer a practical and space-saving solution for apartment living.
To ensure the best results when using indoor drying racks, position the rack in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Top 10 Clotheslines for Strata or Apartment Blocks
Now that we are done discussing about the legal implications of having outdoor clotheslines installed in a strata or apartment block, let's proceed with finding the best models.
We've compiled a list of all the models which we deemed most viable for use and best option in a strata, owners corporation or apartment block situation:
Keep reading below to find out more about these awesome clotheslines.
1. Hills Hoist Heritage 7 Line Clothesline
The Hills Hoist Heritage 7 line rotary clothes hoist is a fixed placed clothesline suited to larger backyards and big family drying needs.
This traditional Hills Hoist clothesline is solid and strong, with an aluminium and galvanised steel construction from top to bottom that will ensure a long and reliable life.
With a massive 50m of galvanised line and wide line spacing, this Hills clothes hoist is designed for larger needs and optimum drying time.
The Hills Hoist Heritage 7 at a Glance:
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Full galvanised steel construction
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Insanely reliable
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Built for extreme Aussie conditions
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Roomy enough for 5 people or more
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Simple and easy to operate
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Lifetime warranty on frame
2. Hills Hoist Heritage 6 Line Clothesline
The Hills Hoist Heritage 6 Line rotary clothes hoist is a traditional all steel clothes hoist that offers lots of line space in a compact area.
This new improved design by Hills is great for a setup where you want a permanently installed clothesline.
Perfect for a medium size family of 3-4, it has wide line spacing which allows clothes to dry faster and quicker.
The Hills Hoist Heritage 6 at a Glance:
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Full galvanised steel construction
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Same reliable build like its bigger sibling
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Built for extreme climate
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Great for families
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Simple and easy to operate
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Lifetime warranty on frame
3. Austral Super 5 Clothes Hoist
The Austral Super 5 Clothes Hoist is an all galvanised, Australian made hoist that is built super strong the old fashioned way to handle our harsh Australian conditions.
The Austral Super series is the traditional style of clothes hoist full of modern features like metal gear case, strong galvanised steel tubing, and galvanised clothes line wire.
Built to last a lifetime and 101% made in Australia, this is one rotary clothes hoist that offers unbeatable value and reliability that works great for families.
The Austral Super 5 at a Glance:
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Full galvanised steel construction
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Engineered and built in Australia
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Built to last
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Impressively spacious
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Great value
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20-year warranty
4. Austral Super 4 Clothes Hoist
The Austral Super 4 Clothes Hoist is one of the best permanent fixed clotheslines on the market today, built super strong to handle our harsh Australian climate.
With the Austral Super series is the modern clothes hoist features such as all metal gear case, strong galvanised steel tubing and galvanised clothesline wire.
The Super 4 comes with 40m of line space and a head diameter of 4m with a breeze brake for one position pegging (perfect for windy days) and effortless winding to hoist up into the breeze for drying.
The Austral Super 4 at a Glance:
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Full galvanised steel construction
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Engineered and built in Australia
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Built to last
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Ample line space for a family
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Great value
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20-year warranty
5. Evolution Fixed Stainless Steel Clothesline
If you are looking for the ultimate clothesline that will undeniably last forever, the Evolution Fixed Stainless Steel Clothesline is the answer.
Custom made from industrial strength, electropolished 316, marine grade stainless steel, the evolution fixed stainless steel clothesline boasts a stylish yet modern design that is great for big or small spaces and can be adjusted to suit any length you may require.
The highlight of this model is its rock-solid, fixed design system the does away with the hinge mechanism for a more reliable clothes drying experience with almost zero maintenance required.
The Evolution Fixed at a Glance:
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Complete 316 stainless steel clothesline
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Stainless steel cable and fittings
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Stylish, compact and fits almost anywhere
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Customisable length to suit your space
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50 year structural guarantee
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100% Australian made and manufactured
6. Eco 280 316 Stainless Steel Clothesline
The Eco 280 316 Stainless Steel Clothesline is an innovative clothesline from Eco Clotheslines, ideal if you are looking for a stunning clothesline finished in Electropolished 316 stainless steel.
This foldown clothesline built in 316 marine grade stainless steel is designed to last a lifetime and is ideal suited if you live in a coastal area where sea spray and salt are a major issue.
This 2.8m wide fold down unit can be installed in most locations around your home as it comes in 3 depth variations out from the wall of 750mm, 1250mm and 1500mm.
The Eco 280 316 Stainless Steel at a Glance:
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316 marine grade stainless steel construction
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Stunning Electropolished 316 stainless steel finish
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Perfect for long lasting use in coastal areas
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Wall mounted or free standing options
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10 year guarantee (Excluding the Cord)
7. Eco 300 Clothesline
If you've never made a clothesline before, strap yourself in. The Eco 300 is 3 metres wide and is our #1 selling fold down clothesline.
Made of thick galvanised frame with powder coat finish that's baked on to prevent corrosion, this is one tough fold down clothesline that lasts.
Have a field day picking your colour, depth, width, and mounting type to build the ultimate made-to-order masterpiece of a fold down clothesline.
The Eco 300 at a Glance:
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Galvabond frame with Colorbond powder coat paint for optimum rust resistance
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Spacious enough for big families
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Foldaway when not in need to save space
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Can be customised depending on your requirements
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10 year warranty
8. Hills Single Clothesline
Looks beautiful, works great. A recent redesign surely made one of the best fold down clotheslines on the market even better.
Featuring a sleek, stylish and sexy looking curved profile with powder coated galvanised steel frame, it's a beauty that doesn't sacrifice reliability nor function.
Easily lift it up when drying clothes then fold it done once done, easy to use and looks great regardless if it's working hard to dry laundry or not.
The Hills Single at a Glance:
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Made even better with the recent redesign
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Renowned Hills reliability
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Spacious enough for families
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Easy to use built-in line tensioning system
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Lifetime warranty on frame
9. Hills 7 Line Retracting Clothesline
The Hills 7 Line Retracting Clothesline is a new generation of retractable clothesline from Hills.
Boasting an improved design with upgraded internals and two locking levels for a better overall eco-friendly clothes drying experience.
You can add a post kit, mount bar ,or ground socket for different mounting options of this clothesline.
The Hills 7 Line Retracting at a Glance:
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Made even better with the recent redesign
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Renowned Hills reliability
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Plenty of room for big families
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Space saving
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Upgraded reeling mechanism
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Lifetime warranty on the cabinet
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Endless options for mounting
10. Austral Retractaway 50 Clothesline
The Austral Retractaway 50 is a durable retracting clothesline that features a patented line tensioning system with a maximum line extension of 10m.
The 5 PVC coated lines easily retract away into the cabinet and won't mark or snag clothes.
Posts can be installed directly into the ground (standard post) or they can be bolted down on top of existing concrete (plated post option).
The Austral Retractaway 50 at a Glance:
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Classic sturdy, dependable design
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Great value for money
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Heaps of line space for big families
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Easy to use reeling system
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Plenty of options for mounting (in ground, on top of concrete, or on the wall)
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Words
In conclusion, finding the perfect clothesline solution for your strata or apartment block doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
If the scenario involves having a array of clotheslines installed per the requirements of owners corporations, there are plenty of viable options.
Choosing reliable, long-lasting clotheslines like galvanised steel rotary hoists or stainless steel fold down clotheslines will always be the best decision.
If we look past the slightly higher upfront cost of these types of clotheslines, body corporations will actually benefit in the long run due to less breakdowns and little to no maintenance required.
By understanding strata by-laws, exploring various clothesline options, and following proper installation and maintenance guidelines, you can enjoy hassle-free clothes drying in your apartment.
