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[Choice]

Hello to all of you out there in strata world.

Must say this site has been a revelation, I wish I knew about it earlier. Reading all the comments on here has further strengthened my resolve about what I have set out to do but thought i’d ask the professionals on here for advice.

Cut a long story short after many years of dealing with numerous strata managers and finding my self beating my head against the wall I have decided to get licenced and start up my own strata management company. Through my experience I have found the industry to be littered with unprofessional’s and managers that don’t care. Further to that I have found most don’t actually know the correct procedures and legislation. I’m sure there are some great managers out there but I am yet to come across any and most people I speak to have the same thoughts. I hope to open a company that is accountable and professional. Having invested and lived in strata properties for over 10 years I am confident in managing. I am practically managing 2 buildings now on behalf of the strata company due to their negligence yet we still pay them. I,m the one that organises quotes, oversees works, calls meetings, attends NCAT etc…

In a nutshell this is why I am starting my own strata company up. I have no doubt in my ability to manage a building what I am more worried about is the early stages of establishing a strata management company making sure I do everything correctly. The last thing I want to do is be like the other companies out there doing the wrong thing and making life for people living in strata more difficult than need be.

Does anyone know of a company that does strata management company consultancy? I know there are such establishments in real estate sales and other industries that help companies establish themselves but I am yet to find anything for strata. I know some people may think I am biting off more than I can chew but I am confident in running things once I am set up properly.

Any advice?

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[Sir Humphrey]

Each state has a professional body for strata managers and there is an over-arching national body. Can’t recall their name right now but I’m sure you could find it. They should be able to advise. I think there are requirements such as having a real estate licence. 

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[Choice]

Sir Humphrey I think you may be referring to SCA (Strata Community Australia).

I have spoken to them and am going to become a member but they said they don’t know of any consultants.

From what I was told at the college I have been doing my courses at is that SCA is no longer as relevant in the industry as they once were. 

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[Sir Humphrey]

Yes. I was thinking of the SCA. If they are no help, perhaps a small but respectable strata management company in another city (so you are not in competition) could act as consultants taking you through the setting up that they did themselves. Otherwise, perhaps strata specialist lawyers might be aware of the pitfalls. 

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[Jimmy-T]

@Choice said:
Sir Humphrey I think you may be referring to SCA (Strata Community Australia) … from what I was told at the college … SCA is no longer as relevant in the industry as they once were.   

That’s a very big call.  For all the issues I have with SCA (not least that their Queensland chapter supports the institutional corruption of pre-sales of management rights) I think they are more relevant than they have ever been.  The difference is that now there are other voices – like the Owners Corporation Network – where there was none before.

Your biggest challenge will be getting the professional indemnity required to set up a responsible business on your own.  But SCA will provide you with a lot of support in terms of contracts and professional training.  I wouldn’t dismiss them on the strength of what a college lecturer said.

SCA aren’t as exclusively  relevant to strata owners as they once were, but they are the voice of the industry and you can bet Fair Trading has them on speed dial.

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[Choice]

 No doubt I would not dismiss SCA on account of a single person. I am still going through them as from my research they still seem to be the most prevalent strata body there is.

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