What does a great strata manager do?
Strata managers play a significant role in ensuring residential, community, commercial and industrial strata schemes run smoothly, are financially sound, are safe and comply with governing legislation.
Good strata managers take care of the administrative heavy lifting as often a scheme can be complex with a number of moving parts, large occupancy and diverse common areas such as swimming pools, gyms, car parks and recreational spaces including golf courses and tennis courts.
Whatever the scheme, having a quality strata manager to administrate the affairs of the owners corporation or association is critical to its reputation, safety and compliance.
On the surface, the strata manager role seems an easy one
Many people believe the strata manager is there to collect strata fees and organise a tradie every now and again when a pipe bursts or a handrail is loose. And sure, good strata managers do take care of levy collection and repair and maintenance issues.
However, strata financial management is multifaceted. Good strata managers are great money managers and have a finger on the budgetary pulse of each scheme they look after. They assist the committee and owners towards establishing a scheme that is financially sound, can meet its financial obligations and that all members are financially up to date. They assist in the preparation of annual tax submissions, BAS and other financial reporting, and yearly budgets.
They keep insurance and licences paid and relevant and make sure the scheme has satisfactory funds for any large or unforeseen expenses such as capital improvements or building repairs and upgrades.
A good strata manager will have a network of qualified and licenced tradespeople who will respond quickly and competently to any remedial works that require urgent attention. In times like now when the whole country is experiencing a shortage of qualified tradespeople, having an established network is a high-value commodity.
They prepare AGMs, resolve disputes and have an up-to-date and professional-level comprehension of the legislative acts that cover the jurisdiction in which they operate. Good strata managers have in-depth knowledge of the residential, community, commercial and industrial schemes and associations and have the scope to aid property developers and investors.
These skill sets are just the beginning of how a full service strata management firm with qualified and experienced strata managers ensures the financial, maintenance and compliance elements of community living are performing at the optimum standard.
Above all else, good strata managers are expert communicators
Effective communication is one of the more critical skills that any manager or management firm must have. We all know and have probably experienced in one way or another the frustrations associated with poor or misleading communications.
At All Suburbs Strata Management, our strata managers possess all the skill sets previously discussed and are supported by internal administration systems, training and advanced expertise. What sets our strata managers apart are their highly developed communication strategies and commitment to active listening, acknowledgment and using clear and direct language that resolves issues, explains outcomes and keeps stakeholders informed.
Our team invests in our clients for the long term. As skilled communicators who value direct and fast responses, we understand the value of building beneficial relationships that are transparent and healthy.
Building these relationships is a combination of professional administrative management and effective and positive communication strategies. We don’t see communication as a transactional process, we see it as a tool that ensures we always leave our clients in a better position.
It is our job at ASSM to ensure your strata scheme runs as smoothly as possible. When you are thinking of buying into a strata scheme or are looking to engage a professional and qualified team, contact ASSM today and experience the difference that 40 years of successful strata management will make.
