Homes in the Eastern Suburbs
The housing here is more varied than almost anywhere else in Sydney. Paddington is famous for its Victorian terraces. Randwick, Coogee and Maroubra have Federation houses and bungalows beside red-brick and art deco apartment blocks from the 1920s to 1960s. Bondi, Double Bay and the coast are dense with strata apartments, both older walk-ups and newer towers. A large share of Eastern Suburbs homes are apartments, so owners corporations, by-laws and shared services come into many jobs. Along the coast, salt-laden air works hard on gutters, roofing, balustrades, windows and exposed steel.
Councils and approvals
Waverley Council covers Bondi and Bronte. Randwick City Council covers Randwick, Coogee and Maroubra. Woollahra Municipal Council covers Double Bay, Woollahra and Paddington north of Oxford Street, while the south side of Paddington sits with the City of Sydney. Paddington and parts of Randwick and Woollahra are within heritage conservation areas, so changes visible from the street usually need a development application. Coastal properties may have extra rules on foreshore land. In an apartment, work that touches waterproofing, plumbing or common property needs owners corporation approval under NSW strata law, on top of any council approval.
Jobs Eastern Suburbs homeowners ask for most
Bathroom renovations are the most requested job, both in terraces and in apartments where the original bathroom has reached the end of its life. Bathroom waterproofing and water damage restoration follow, often after a leak into the unit below. Window replacement is common where timber or steel frames have suffered from salt and sun. Gutter replacement, roof restoration, custom joinery for compact apartments and retaining walls on sloping coastal blocks round out the list. Parking and access are tight in many streets, so plan deliveries and skip bins early.
Councils and suburbs
Councils: Waverley Council, Randwick City Council, Woollahra Municipal Council, City of Sydney.
Suburbs include: Bondi, Randwick, Coogee, Paddington, Maroubra, Double Bay and surrounds. If your postcode is nearby, we’ll still look for crew members who cover it.
Local service guides
Common questions
Do I need strata approval to renovate my Eastern Suburbs apartment?
Almost always, yes. In NSW, a bathroom renovation that changes the waterproofing counts as a major renovation and needs a special resolution of the owners corporation. Smaller jobs like new floors or a kitchen refit are minor renovations needing an ordinary resolution. Check your scheme's by-laws and talk to your strata manager before you book trades.
Does living near the beach change which materials I should use?
It does. Salt air corrodes unprotected steel, cheap fixings and some aluminium finishes faster than you'd expect. Ask trades about marine-grade stainless fixings, powder-coated or anodised window frames, and gutter and roofing products suited to coastal exposure. A good local tradie will raise this before you do.
Can I change the front of my Paddington terrace?
Changes you can see from the street in a heritage conservation area usually need a development application. That includes front doors, windows, fences, roofing and paint on unpainted brick in some cases. Internal work and most rear work is simpler. Woollahra Council and the City of Sydney both publish heritage guidance, and the NSW Planning Portal can confirm what applies to your address.
Who is responsible for a leak from my bathroom into the unit below?
It depends on where the water is coming from. Waterproofing membranes and some pipes are common property, which the owners corporation maintains, while fixtures inside your lot are yours. A proper leak investigation is the first step. Tell the trades what you've seen and when, and loop in your strata manager early.