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If you live in or own an apartment or complex, you’ve likely run into scenarios with leaking pipes or concerns with communal areas within the property.

Who deals with a broken step in a shared area, or who takes care of a broken door or lock or leaking pipe?

Depending on the location and nature of the maintenance query, different parties will need to take action respectively. Knowing the bounds of your proprietary authority is essential. This is for a less confusing exchange between you, your tenants and all other property groups involved.

The main parties normally concerned with general maintenance matters are the property and strata managers.

Keep reading below to learn more about the differences in these roles. 

Strata management overview

A strata manager is a company that manages an apartment block or commercial building on behalf of all the individual owners in that block.

They work in the owners’ collective interest and manage everything from legal compliance to building maintenance and financial administration. Strata managers oversee the day-to-day management of the complex.

Strata managers are mainly responsible for administration, finance and community. Some specific duties of a strata manager include:

• Organise maintenance of common areas such as foyers, hallways and gardens
• Facilitate urgent repairs of the building’s common areas
• Send out levy notices and collect levies
• Ensure the building complies with Work Health & Safety regulations
• Set dates for strata meetings like the annual general meeting, executive committee meetings and emergency meetings
• Compile, write and distribute notices and meeting minutes
• Pay invoices and budget for costs relating to the building’s common areas
• Mediate disputes between residents or owners and the Executive Committee

Property management overview

 A property manager is commonly thought of as the owner of the unit/building. In some cases, this is true. But property managers specifically are hired to help market the unit, residential or commercial space. They oversee the upkeep and maintenance of a single property lot.

They are the middleman between the landlord and the tenant. And they are responsible for finding a suitable tenant, collecting the rent and for arranging maintenance on the inside of the apartment. Some specific tasks of a property manager include:

• Ensure rent is paid on time and suggest when the rent should be reviewed
• Act as the main point of contact for the tenant and the in-between go-to for tenants and landlords
• Carry out open homes
• Vet potential tenants
• Facilitate routine inspections of the property
• Organise maintenance of the property
• Organise emergency repairs of the property
• Prepare tenancy contracts and related administration
• Advice on how to grow and manage the property portfolio 

How to know who is responsible?

To put it simply, anything outside of the four walls of the individual property is normally in the hands of the strata. Often, in complex situations such as a compound leak that span over various properties, or flooding more than the individual lot, it’s ideal can call for the strata’s attention.

Most property management groups have a list of scenarios and cases which outline the specific roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved. This typically includes the maintenance, repair and management of properties in a strata scheme.

Proper strata management is essential for Sydney strata properties to thrive. Flawed management can result in painful fees, damages and loss of business.

Whether it’s a place of business or living, strata must be taken care of by responsive professionals.

At Strata & Co. we provide all forms of strata management services. In fact, we are the only company in Australia that offers the range of services we do! Our experts specialise in all levels giving us a unique approach to strata management.

To get premium strata services today, call us now on 1300 033 947.

Strata companies in Sydney can sometimes be thrown under the bus by residents and local community groups when disaster strikes.

Often, the strata management service or the community does not understand what the responsibilities are for different organisational groups that inhabit, manage or own the building at hand.

Don’t be misinformed or kept in the dark! Strata corporations must understand their duties, roles and responsibilities.

Having a clear list of duties and accountabilities during emergencies and disasters help avoid blame and confusion and, in severe cases, legal action.

Keep reading to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of strata management in general disaster cases.

Common strata disasters

Sydney’s weather can be unpredictable, but so can residents!

Sometimes, Sydney’s intense summer sun can impact the safety of your building. There instances when residents can throw something flammable in the communal skip bin and cause a fire hazard.

Even with adequate waterproofing, flooding, leaking, pipe bursts, and mould can damage your property.

Still, residents can fall asleep with the bathtub running or flood areas that generally shouldn’t get wet.

Strata management services deal with minor and major incidents frequently.

Occasionally, blame can mistakenly fall on strata managers. This is due to misunderstanding in the duties and responsibilities of the various roles involved when dealing with disaster management.

Some of the most common disaster scenarios that cause confusion in responsibilities are fire hazards, flooding and DIY disasters.

Residents in the community can volunteer to “fix” or “improve” an aspect of your building in the common areas or gardens.

If they are injured or damage the property further in this situation, there could be confusion about who is responsible.

Put simply, a strata manager’s role is to guarantee that the building is insured, compliant with local laws, and is being maintained. They also make certain that the properties’ administration is up-to-date and accurate.

To better understand the duties of a strata manager, read our blog here.

What are the responsibilities of strata in disaster scenarios?

Every situation is different and will need to be examined thoroughly at the time of the incident.

Generally speaking, all strata-title properties, including residential buildings, are required to carry out fire safety inspections annually.

This inspection ensures evacuation routes are clear of obstructions and that all fire-safety installations are tested and in working order.

In commercial strata settings, typical safety measures include:

• Evacuation signage
• Fire and evacuation plans
• Emergency safety plans
• Staff training

These same safety procedures can be applied to a residential building if the owners’ committee believes it’s a good idea and that it would get co-operation from the lot owners.

A fire and evacuation plan lays out the roles, responsibilities and required actions for a building’s key personnel, employees and tenants. It should be simple, effective and generic in nature.

Strata buildings are complex with water pipes, wiring, and ducts hidden in walls, floors, and roof spaces to make the property safe and aesthetically appealing.

But when there’s a leak, who pays for the water damage?

It can be challenging to determine the source of a leak and thus, where the responsibility lies.

Where water ingress can be traced to common property, the strata should rectify it. This often cannot be determined without the assessment of a plumber, engineer or other professional.

Both the strata and the lot owners have responsibilities to maintain their respective parts of the complex in good condition. Lot owners and tenants should be vigilant about even minor-seeming things like a dripping tap.

Strata management should have a proactive maintenance plan in place so water ingress can be addressed before they become a problem and cause any real water damage or flooding.

It is common in resident strata complexes for occupants to volunteer their services for odd jobs around the property.

However, what can seem like a harmless money-saving solution can be the cause of problematic insurance issues when not managed correctly.

Before using volunteer services, strata management needs to make sure residents, and any other volunteers are fully informed of what is covered under their insurance policies.

There are many incidents reported that involve well-intentioned volunteers not being covered for an accident or injury caused by carrying out works due to strata insurance policies, which generally work to exclude volunteer work.

To summarise, get a written request from the resident, confirm the volunteer work is recorded and make sure there is no payment of any kind.

At Strata & Co, we believe in “Strata made Simple”, with a quick 24-hr enquiry turnaround and the best strata management services in Sydney guaranteed.

Call Strata & Co today on 1300 033 947 to talk about your strata management needs.

Do you work in a commercial or industrial community or live within an apartment or complex building?

If so, it’s likely that you often receive messages or announcements from your strata management company.

Although residents and tenants may get letters and see notices, many people do not understand the purpose of a strata management company.

This can be especially true if they also have a property manager for their space.

A strata management company is critical for shared properties with many units.

It makes for a more seamless experience. And also provides those who occupy the building with a more enjoyable and streamlined community.

Do you want to learn more about what a strata company is and what its role is? Keep reading below!

What is a strata manager company?

A strata management company is a team comprised of managers responsible for properties with multiple residential or commercial spaces. This includes those in apartments, units and complexes.

Unlike a property manager, who is responsible for a single property, strata companies are accountable for the entire group rather than an individual estate.

Generally, a property manager for an apartment will go to the building’s strata for issues related to strata management services.

What does a strata manager company do?

A strata company covers many roles, which can vary depending on the strata company you are under.

With multiple strata companies around Sydney, it is important to know who covers your building/complex.

This will help you when you need to refer or contact them about their services.

Typical day-to-day categorical tasks that strata managers are responsible for include administration, financial and social tasks. This includes being responsible for:

• Ensuring community properties comply with legal and insurance policies
• Staying on top of general ground maintenance
• Managing administrative duties

When you have Strata & Co. as your strata company, we take a holistic approach to your property with our professional management.

Upstanding with all laws and regulations, we are prepared to answer all of your questions and help you understand legal jargon about your complex.

Situations that require you to contact your strata manager

When living in a strata community, some situations and events will require you to reach out and get assistance from your strata manager company.

Common situations that require your strata company include community-based cases like:

• Planning a building-involved event for all residents
• Requiring neighbour dispute mediation
• Reviewing essential building services (i.e., fire safety)

On top of community situations, your strata manager generally is the contact for:

• Enquiries on joint communal facilities such as a pool or courtyard
• Repair and maintenance needs on communal areas of the property
• The organisation of access and security services

These are not the limitations of a strata company’s role but just some common examples that they are often required for.

For more extensive detail on the duties of a strata manager, read on our blog here.

Looking for a more comprehensive and responsive strata manager? Come to Strata & Co.! Local to the Sydney area, we provide a convenient one-stop-shop for all your strata needs with our reliable and efficient services.

For more on our services or to see how we can help you with our full management strata services, give us a call on 1300 033 947.

Sydney is remarkably gorgeous – and as a vibrant and lively city, graffiti artists heavily populate the streets.

Graffiti can be beautiful when done by an approved professional. Unfortunately, some are offensive and can be unsightly on a building.

It’s common for graffiti artists to vandalise an area to claim, “fame value”. The more visible and dangerous the painted work is, the more “fame value” the graffitist acquires.

Without the consent of the property owner, graffiti is considered vandalism and is defacing the property, which is illegal. Most councils have banned random graffiti, yet it can still be seen in many places that would be better off without it.

Keep reading to learn more about graffiti and its impact on strata companies in Sydney.

How graffiti impacts strata management in Sydney

When it comes to problems in general, prevention is better than scouring for a solution. Hence, when graffiti is a problem, preventing vandalism is the ideal solution.

Your building is the face of your company; it’s the first thing people see upon entering your premises, and the only thing non-occupants see from the exterior. You wouldn’t want the only encounter potential tenants or clients have with your company to be a defaced exterior.

Vandalism lowers the property value due to the lack of curb appeal. Some graffiti tags can be offensive and leave people feeling emotionally distressed, especially near or on their homes.

Keeping a building clean and safe from graffiti is one of the challenges in strata management in Sydney.

If graffiti is consistently undealt with some tenants may even vacate because of the negative implications undealt with graffiti has.

The longer graffiti is on display or around your property, the greater the reward for the graffitist which means that location will probably be targeted again. Undealt with graffiti promotes new graffiti.

This is the reason why you’ll want to remove any graffiti markings as soon as possible. It is vital to keep your building well-maintained and clean to encourage people to look after and respect your property instead of misusing it.

Identifying target areas isn’t that difficult. Look out for large blank smooth walls, elevated positions that are highly visible and areas obscured from view.

Easy solutions to your graffiti problem

It is crucial to remove any graffiti markings as soon as possible. Hiring a professional cleaning service to pressure wash the area will do the trick. The longer graffiti stays up, the more enticed and tempted other graffitists can be.

Removing graffiti is only visually fixing the problem, addressing the root of the issue may take extra steps to prevent further defacing and vandalism. Painting your building’s walls with darker colours instead of a lighter one can prevent graffitists from marking up your property.

Lighter colours provide a fresh canvas for the vandals, which is why it is important to remove every potential space they can target.

Avoiding soft texture walls and having rough, uneven textures will be harder to draw and paint on. You can also buy and cover your walls with an anti-graffiti coating to prevent these markings being made.

Another practical solution to your graffiti problem is to plant bushes and trees near walls. This makes accessibility difficult, especially if the bushes have thorns or spikes.

Finally, store away unused equipment such as rubbish bins. These items are sometimes used as climbing structures to paint or draw in typically hard-to-reach areas.

Put up zero-graffiti tolerance signs to warn the vandals that you will call the authorities if they vandalise your property. Putting up sufficient lighting and cameras will also fend off the graffiti culprits, as it will be easier to be noticed and caught.

Considering approved graffiti

In a city like Sydney, graffiti can be a unique characteristic of the city, even attracting tourists.

Often if the surrounding area has been graffitied, it’s better to call in a professional to paint on your walls. It can create an opportunity for your property to blend into the environment and form part of the unique culture in that particular area.

Painting over a blank space may prevent a vandal from defacing that area. When done by a professional, you can always request relevant artwork that will improve the curb appeal of your building.

If your property can pull off the “graffiti-look”, it is worth looking into hiring a professional graffiti artist to come and do your walls.

Looking to effectively deal with graffiti? A strata manager can function as a reliable point of contact for repairs relating to graffiti and vandalism on common property. To talk about professional strata management services, call Strata & Co. today on 1300 033 947 to find out more about strata management in Sydney.