They need no training in, knowledge of or even interest in the law that governs their actions, yet they are controlling budgets that can run to several million dollars per year. They can range from committed, community-minded professionals to a collection of clowns, crackpots, despots and busybodies.
These are the executive committees of Australia.
Let’s not be too harsh. They might be wise and willing retirees or overworked executives and self-employed business people giving up their truly precious time. Or they could be hopeless has-beens, unemployed if not unemployable, or selfish investors trying to make sure their dodgy dealings are never challenged.
Whoever they are and whatever their motives, they are in charge of billions of dollars of our money and have a profound effect on the value of our homes and the quality of our lives. And many of them don’t have a clue what they’re doing.
You can’t force people to take strata courses but what if you paid an expert in strata law and conflict resolution to sit in on meetings and provide wise counsel as well as a minute-taking and book-keeping service?
Strata managers could do it but many are reluctant to offer advice on what could or should be done (rather than what can and can’t be done) because that’s not really their remit and it’s a legal minefield.
And it wouldn’t be cheap. A competent qualified person with secretarial and book-keeping backup might charge $200 to $300 an hour. For a three to four hour meeting once a month, that adds up to around $10,000 a year.
$10,000 a year for someone to do what Mrs McNulty will do for free between her pilates class and Meals On Wheels run? Hey, $10K is nothing when one ill-informed decision can see you dragged through court by disgruntled owners.
As strata blocks multiply and get bigger, expect to see more professional EC consultants offering their services. But, I hasten to add, not this little black duck.
Email your questions to mail@flatchat.com.au.