The buck stops with… wait for it… the Owners Corporation!
It is the OC who has the power to do what needs to be done. I seem to be reading a lot of criticism of the SM and then in the next breath the mention of apathetic and unengaged owners. So why is the SM the favourite scape goat? Because he is an easy target. After all he is being paid such an exorbitant amount. Seriously have a look at management fees and read some of the industry papers kicking around that clearly identify that management fees should quadruple if you expect all the bells and whistles that are always touted as the responsibility of the SM. And please don’t make the common mistake of assuming that levies = management fees. But owners are quick to complain when management fees go up so the situation is not about to change.
The SM is not a Project Manager, he is not a Facilities Manager, he is not a Building Manager, he is not a cleaning inspector, he is not a building inspector, counsellor or any of the myriad other things owners and tenants think he should be.
The SM is essentially a book keeper and co-ordination point for reports of repairs etc that need to be done. Just that can entail a horrendous amount of work given that an individual strata manager is probably looking after between 50 and 100 strata plans and being paid lousy money for the privilege. I’m not sure how the industry can keep enough managers on the books given the salary (search out the award if you don’t believe me). Then again, the good ones probably move to sales for the big commissions or leave the industry for better pay, which means, who are you left with? Hmmmm…
At the end of the day it is the OC who chooses the SM, it is the OC that sets the levies, it is the OC that makes all decisions on maintenance and if the owners are apathetic then they will be bad decisions. Owners need to start taking responsibility for what is probably their largest asset and stop just looking for scape goats.
End of rant.