Tenants divided about narrow opening in chainwinder windows of new Australian apartment blocks
Aussies are rioting over an annoying ‘nanny state’ design feature found in most new apartments – but there’s an important reason for that
- Some apartment residents were angry about chain winder windows
- Limited opening windows are mandatory in high apartments
The window of a Sydney resident’s apartment has divided Aussies over whether a regulation code is needed or just more proof that Australia is a ‘nanny state’.
The resident shared a photo of the small opening in their chain winder window on Tuesday, wondering why windows with larger openings are not available to tenants living on higher floors.
Why are most modern houses and apartments built with these windows that impede the circulation of fresh air?
The post received hundreds of responses from angry tenants asking the same question.
A Sydney resident shared a photo of the apartment’s chainwinder windows (above) with their narrow openings for airflow on Tuesday
“We’re not allowed to open any windows on any floor above ground level now, well, not enough to let air through. It’s frustrating,” one wrote.
“The past three summers have been disgustingly humid. People with these windows should watch for mold,” said another.
It’s the most frustrating thing ever! My rented apartment gets so much condensation in the winter that the water literally drips down the windows. It’s terrible!’ wrote another.
A fourth person simply wrote: ‘Nanny state’.
Other commentators, however, quickly came to the defense of builders and landlords by explaining that the windows are a legal requirement for some apartments.
According to the National Building Code, all bedroom windows with a fall height of two meters may open a maximum of 12.5 cm.
The law was introduced in 2013, and landlords caught breaking it are fined $550.
At the time the law was passed, Fair Trade minister Anthony Roberts said NSW had seen 39 children under the age of nine end up in hospital after falling out of windows.
“Residents will still be able to open their windows as they do now, but they will have the assurance that when the lock is closed, the children in their care will be protected,” he said.
‘These devices are inexpensive and can be easily installed by anyone, but it is critical that window guards are fitted correctly the first time.
“I urge owners to act sooner rather than later so that no more children suffer permanent, disabling injury or death from falling from windows.”
Windows in NSW with a fall height of two meters or more are allowed to open a maximum of 12.5 cm (photo, Sydney CBD)
“If a tenant’s child falls out of an open window, the landlord would be held liable,” one commenter said.
But the law failed to convince other Aussies who said the blocked window could prevent tenants from being bailed out of their building in an emergency.
“They prevent fire rescue,” said one person.
‘It’s all crazy. Around the time window restrictions were put in place, there was a fire department document that said, “If you have window locks, make sure your kids know how to open them in the event of a fire,” another wrote.