Hi all, we are looking to replace our strata manager for good.
Do you have recommendation for which strata manager is good in my area? Are you happy with your current strata manager?
We are looking for one that attend to our queries more attentively. Also looking to hire a caretaker that look after the building.
Any advice from anyone that have been going through this process is much appreciated.
There is no such thing as a good Strata manager
Surely there is. There is a will, there is a way.
Nope, there is not, goto productreview.com.au and look at all the ratings of strata companies.
Yeah I have been charged $500 in legal fees as I was overseas for longer than intended. Never got any letter from debt collector. Sent an email to strata manager who called back saying those charges are internal you will not see where they occoured. talk about absolute crooks.
"Thank you, I've paid this interally. You will not see this payment in your account."
They have charged this internally. I won't see the work that was done. I can only see the bill.
Are you saying you missed some payments, and they charge you extra $500 for legal fees?
What is the legal fee for?
Surely you can prove that you didn't get any letter.
Are you saying you missed some payments, and they charge you extra $500 for legal fees?
What is the legal fee for?
Debt collection
Surely you can prove that you didn't get any letter.
I haven't signed for anything as I was overseas. Maybe it came and went back who knows. It was registered post I mean.
Generally when you haven't paid a bill, they''ll need to send a letter of demand asking for payment before it proceeds to VCAT. Our arrears solicitor charges the OC $500 which is then passed on to the owner. Surely there is some story to why they billed you $500.
I was overseas when the borders closed so didn't receive + pay the bill on time. Paid on the 14th the solicitor's charge is for the 17th (3 days later). But since I never got a letter sent to me why am I being asked to pay. They agreed to wave the charges on their end but I still have to pay the $275 for 'external fees" they had to pay. They say the 17th is the due date for the solicitor's letter which I never received and the solicitor was "hired" earlier. They won't tell me any of that in writing I got a call from them after I sent them an email. I will ask these things again and request them to explain to me in writing as what they told me over the phone was very vague.
Usually owners corporation management will send the invoice, then send reminders for payment, after a further 30 days or so will send a letter of demand. Further 30 days to lodge a VCAT application. How overdue was the bill?
The issue is that the solicitor has already charged the Owners Corporation as they have provided a service. So either you pay for it or the OC pays for it. The OC means all of the owners are splitting the costs of your bill.
There are good strata managers but to really get the best results you need a hard working committee that drives the OC manager rather than the other way round.
We are looking for one that attend to our queries more attentively.
Many strata managers have SLAs. e.g. manager has to email committee within 48 hours with a query. Another company we looked at had 50% of queries within 4 hours.
Strata Management Awards is a good place to start.
Can't agree more
Essentially Strata Manager is your Contractor, so someone needs to instruct them and monitor their performance.
Unfortunately they have failed persistently….
My neighbours keep telling me our strata manager is really good. I've always been in my own place previously so I have nothing to compare it too.
https://nsw.strata.community/eventssponsorship/strata-indust…
2017 awards -
Strata Community Management Business – Small
Sky Living Strata
I'm a bit of a pain because I work in the asset management space and Luke, the owner, is very responsive.
Good luck!