By-laws are a set of rules that owners and tenants of a strata scheme must follow. These rules are determined and can be changed by majority vote at a general meeting of the Owners Corporation.
By-laws might set out whether pets are allowed, the hours restricting the use of the complex’s swimming pool, or state that no clothes, washing or bedding be hung on balcony hand rails. They’re not necessarily the same from one complex to another, so if you're buying into or living in a strata building, make sure you ask for a copy of its by-laws.