Body Corporate Experience
"In early 2016, I purchased a management rights business with my partner introducing us to strata living, property management and the body corporate environment. During that period I also project managed the remedial works of 150 severely structurally impaired units & other common property on behalf of the Body Corporate. I witnessed the complications that crop up first hand and believed that there was a need for competent and honest construction professionals to assist in the delivery of building projects for the body corporate and associated stakeholders. We subsequently sold the MR business to focus on a building & project management service business".
My experience in the body corporate environment has taught me to welcome the advice provided by the strata manager(s), and to listen to the views of the committee and the building manager, to remain neutral but assertive, and to provide unbiased comment based on my construction knowledge when it is asked for. My competencies are reflected below:
- General knowledge of the Body Corporate & Community Management Act and an ability to interpret and comprehend its content.
- Conscious of Administrative, Sinking and Special Fund Levies, their need and purpose, and their income and expenditure generation.
- I understand the legislative differences within strata/format plans (building vs standard) and can interpret what is common property, and what elements are part of the lot.
- Able to budget for, maintain and work within a Body Corporate’s Sinking Fund cash flow by careful scheduling of the works to a predetermined cash flow model.
- I recognise the workload and accountabilities of the strata manager and onsite manager /caretaker and provide systems & services to “lighten the load”.
- Providing options and alternatives to keep costs contained and mitigate cost overruns.
- Ability to avoid potential conflict within a committee and the body corporate in general by providing a transparent, clear and concise project management skills.
- Working closely and openly with the strata manager(s), the onsite manager and the committee to ensure legislative compliance with the BCCM Act is maintained.
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Delivering Construction and Property services in a Body Corporate environment is very different to undertaking projects in other sectors, mostly in that the works, and the cost of the works, will directly impact multiple owners and stakeholders. The large majority of stakeholders will understand little about property, construction and project management, but they will likely take more than a passing interest in proceedings as the work is affecting their homes and “their funds”. Meticulous planning, and sound, unbiased communication is the key to facilitating a successful outcome.
The Body Corporate represents all owners and is managed by a committee, generally assisted by a Strata Manager or Body Corporate Manager with a Resident Manager or Caretaker looking after the Body Corporate’s affairs for the property. From my perspective, it is VERY important to work closely with the Strata Manager and the Manager/Caretaker to get the job done with a minimum of fuss. Similarly, the information and reports provided to the committee should be consistent, accurate, informative, comprehensive and user-friendly so that they can share the information with the strata community.
The Body Corporate represents all owners and is managed by a committee, generally assisted by a Strata Manager or Body Corporate Manager with a Resident Manager or Caretaker looking after the Body Corporate’s affairs for the property. From my perspective, it is VERY important to work closely with the Strata Manager and the Manager/Caretaker to get the job done with a minimum of fuss. Similarly, the information and reports provided to the committee should be consistent, accurate, informative, comprehensive and user-friendly so that they can share the information with the strata community.
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