What is a Strata Managers Role?

What is the role of a Strata Manager?

 

Strata managers are professionals who are responsible for the administration of owners corporations.

Depending on the state and territory, they are also called owners corporation managers, body corporate managers, strata managing agents, managers, and agents.

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 particular state-based 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.

Specific duties

Strata managers are involved in coordinating the affairs of lot owners including conducting meetings, collecting and banking levies, arranging property maintenance, advising on asset management, placing insurance and keeping financial accounts.

Their duties include:

  • set dates for committee meetings, the annual general meeting, extraordinary meetings
  • prepare and distribute notices, agendas and minutes
  • attend to correspondence
  • organise and co-ordinate repairs and maintenance of common property, including a preventative maintenance program
  • maintainin the owners corporation register
  • arrange payment of all invoices
  • prepare and distribute financial statements and budgets
  • prepare and distribute contribution notices
  • attend to orders, submissions and appeals
  • ensure the strata scheme complies with all the Work Health & Safety (WHS) regulations
  • provide advice in handling ‘difficult’ or complex strata issues.

Professionalism

Engaging a strata manager that is a member of Strata Community Australia (SCA) is an important step to ensure the professional and compliant administration of a strata scheme.

Strata legislation is complex and designed to protect the interests of its lot owners.  A strata manager who knows the legislation well can prevent inadvertent errors which can be made by self-managing owners.

Members of SCA practising as strata managers are required to keep abreast of all changes in the relevant legislation through a program of continuing professional development and also maintain professional indemnity insurance. Not least, they are required to adhere to an ethical Code Of Conduct. Learn more.