Living in a strata complex can be a great experience, provided that everything in the complex runs smoothly, from day-to-day administration, and maintenance to the resolution of any issues about the use of the common areas by unit owners. Here’s where a good strata manager or management company comes in.
Strata management companies are sometimes referred to as body corporate management companies and involve the day-to-day management of a property which consists of multiple units where the common areas and facilities are jointly owned by the owners of the units. If you are considering buying a unit in an apartment complex or you are in strata residents’ committee looking to hire the services of a strata manager, here’s what you should look for. If you are looking to employ a company, speak to a few property management companies that specialise in managing the operations and management of strata complexes.
One of the first qualifications to look for in a property management company is if they are licensed to manage strata complexes. Consult your real estate agent (if you are a buyer) or a lawyer if you are not sure about what paperwork needs to be in place for the company to handle the management of your building. Licensing and adhering to regulations is important because of the considerable amounts of money collected by the management company from unit owners as maintenance fees.
A good reputation for managing other strata complexes with professionalism and integrity is another important point to check out. Speak to presidents of committees of other strata complexes to find out how their management companies are doing. You can also look for online reviews. If you plan on speaking to a few management companies you can ask them to share details of other strata complexes they manage so you can inquire how well they perform by speaking to someone you or a friend or family member knows living there.
Good communication skills are important for a strata manager, predominantly because they are the point of contact for owners/residents and other stakeholders of the building. They should be approachable, prompt and professional and have good people management skills to deal effectively with the various situations that come up. Strata managers have a responsibility to prevent and manage disputes among owners, residents and other stakeholders of the building.
Above-average customer service goes hand in hand with good communication. Find out how many strata managers are employed by the property management company and find out how many strata complexes each manager manages, if you feel they are overloaded it may be wise to go elsewhere. It is important that owners/residents can access the strata manager and have them attend to their needs without delay.
Find out if the strata/property management company is technologically sound and what digital services they offer. Owners/residents should be able to easily make maintenance fee payments, book amenities and facilities available in the building and send service requests to the strata manager to act on.