Apartment owners could have to pay for additional building works following a Supreme Court decision hailed as a victory for Victorians with disabilities.

In a decision with potentially widespread and costly ramifications, owners corporations must make “reasonable adjustments” to accommodate tenants and visitors with a disability, or risk being found guilty of discrimination.

The ruling — which applies to all apartment buildings, including those built before modern disability standards were introduced — could pave the way for owners corporations to pay for the installation of ramps, lights, lifts and automatic doors. Such expenses would be passed on to apartment owners.

The decision followed a legal dispute between Anne Black and two owners corporations that maintained her Travancore apartment building.

In late 2013, Ms Black, a legally blind pensioner, bought a fourth-storey unit in the building, two years before she developed disabilities that affected her mobility. Reliant on a wheelchair, scooter or crutches, Ms Black claimed the apartment building’s heavy, manual doors were not safe or accessible.

This is a significant win for people with disabilities…Barrister Penny Harris

Ms Black told Domain she relied on others to open doors. “It’s extremely frustrating and humiliating to stand out the front and not be able to get into your own home,” she said.

The building complied with building codes when it was constructed between 2006 and 2008, but would not meet new standards for disability access.

In the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the owners corporations rejected Ms Black’s claims that they should modify several doors to allow her to access the building independently and told her she should pay for the alterations.

Tribunal member Bernadette Steele ruled owners corporations were service providers under the Equal Opportunity Act and were required to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate people with disabilities.

What is considered reasonable would depend on individual circumstances, such as the size of the owners corporation, the nature of the required adjustments and their cost.

The owners corporations appealed the finding in the Supreme Court, but Justice Melinda Richards last month upheld the tribunal’s decision and dismissed the appeal.

Ms Black’s barrister Penny Harris said: “This is a significant win for people with disabilities as it means owners corporations can no longer avoid their obligations to assist people with disabilities in accessing their homes and public areas.”

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission said the case had significant implications for all owners corporations.

“This case confirms their obligations towards people with a disability, including making sure they can access their home and public spaces,” commissioner Kristen Hilton said.

The peak body for owners corporations said that under the Owners Corporation Act, those who benefit more from modifications would still pay more.

“Yes, owners will have to cop some expenses, probably because in a lot of cases there will be some broader benefit to the building as a whole, but those who are wanting the adjustments will have to shoulder a greater share of the cost,” said Rob Beck, general manager of Strata Communities Australia’s Victorian branch.

“It’s a good outcome and we certainly don’t see it as a doomsday decision.”

Lawyers acting for the owners corporations declined to comment.

Placido Belardo, principal solicitor at the Disability Discrimination Legal Service, who acted on behalf of Ms Black, said it was sad that the costs of the requested adjustments were “but a mere fraction of what the owners corporations were prepared to pay their expensive lawyers”.

VCAT will soon determine whether the owners corporations have unlawfully discriminated against Ms Black.

“The answer to this question depends on whether the adjustments required by [Ms Black] are reasonable,” Ms Steele said in her finding.

allison.worrall@domain.com.au