Strata is an Australian concept allowing individual ownership of a property (often referred to as ‘a lot’) within a complex, but at the same time, having shared ownership in common areas and common facilities of the complex.

The community comes with its own rules and regulations, but there are three distinct property management areas in a strata community, and the manager of each area has a different roles and responsibility.

Strata Manager

The Strata Community Association NSW states:

“Strata managers are professionals who are responsible for the administration of strata, company and community schemes.

It is their task to ensure buildings and common areas within a strata-titled or community titled scheme are properly maintained for the benefit of all lot owners. They follow specific instructions issued by the owners’ committee.

Strata managers are specialists in their field, possessing the knowledge and skill to administer the owners corporation in accordance with the complex requirements of the relevant legislation. They also work to achieve consensus in decision making by the lot owners and to otherwise assist the lot owners by assuming onerous responsibilities.”

Their functions are not those of real estate agents or resident managers.

Responsibilities include:

• Administration, including meeting preparation, managing correspondence, and general secretarial duties
• Accounting and financial reporting, including levy collection and arranging payment of invoices
• Legal compliance, including insurance, and issues of notices, orders, and certificates
• Building maintenance, specifically common property, such as gardens, pool and barbeque areas, lifts, and parking areas
• Enforcement of rules and bylaws within the strata scheme

Building Manager

Sometimes known as a facilities manager or caretaker, the building manager is responsible for reporting any needs for building repairs to the strata manager, is the point of contact for any contractors engaged to perform work on common property, and often is the point of contact for strata owners.

A building manager is often located on-site, either living on site, or having an office. This enables them to easily manage the day-to-day maintenance to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the building and facilities.

In addition to managing and maintaining common property and common property assets, building managers also:

• Provide security by managing property access for tradespeople
• Act as a concierge for short stay accommodation and deliveries
• Act as an accessible point of contact for property owners to raise queries or highlight issues with the strata complex.

The building manager usually operates during business hours Monday-Friday, with reduced hours over the weekend.

Property Manager

This is us!

We work with owners of strata titled investment properties, managing the daily aspects of running a rental property.

This includes finding tenants, managing paperwork, ensuring rent gets paid and tackling maintenance problems which are not covered by the strata tile.

We ensure your property is legal, communicate with tenants, regularly carry out property inspections, and are on call 24/7 for any issues.

Also, we often communicate with strata managers and building managers highlighting issues which may be a strata responsibility rather than the individual property owner.

Get in touch with us to see how our property management services can make your life easier and free you up to do more of the things you want to do.

We’ve helped thousands of people realise their financial dreams through property.

Simply give us a ring on 02 4956 9777, send us an email to mail@newcastlepropertymanagement.com.au or pop into our Cardiff office for a chat.

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