Strata Chat with Joey

Today I talk about the myth the owners have been sold which is: that once they buy a unit and appoint a real estate agent to look after it, all the work is done. It’s just not. If you want to get value out of your unit then it needs to be part of a complex that is well maintained, clean, safe, well lit, nice gardens. Your real estate agent has no power over the common property. That’s where I come in but I can only get involved with a committee’s direction.

In today’s episode I talk about a recent win where I managed to get qld Urban Utilities to reduce my owners’s water rates account after the body corporate acted quickly to deal with a concealed water leak on the common property. It’s all about sharing the goods news right here on #maintenance #monday, #strata , #bodycorporate #property

Off to an Annual General Meeting.

So today I discuss the fallacy of assuming everyone at your complex or condo or unit or townhouse development is going to be exactly like you. They just won’t.when you live in a community scheme and share walls or floor or parking or a pool with a collection of other people part and parcel of that is you should expect that sometimes you will be disappointed. You are not entitled to live in monk type silence just because you paid 450k for a unit. I’m sorry. If that’s your expectation you will be disappointed. It is up to you to manage your own expectations and the best way to do that is to make contact with people living in your scheme. Say hey to them. Introduce yourself. Start with hello and do it today. You would be surprised the worlds that can open up to you with just one word.

Today I deliver my list of the top ten tips that will help current committee members or people thinking about being on a committee to make the most out of that role by avoiding common mistakes. List in order: 10. Ask questions- it’s what I am here for; 9. If you act out of spite you can bet karma is lining up to bite your ass; 8. Think about what you are putting in writing; 7. If the vote counts, canvas for a “yes”; 6. Actually read what you are being asked to vote on; 5. Pick up the phone and discuss issues with other committee members - it’s quicker than 27 emails over 4 days at the end of which you cannot even remember what the issue was; 4. An apology can fix many things (this is also good life advice FYI); 3. Do

Today I talk about the role of a tenant in keeping an eye on things on the common property. Tenants can play an important role if they want to, it’s just a shame that often they do not know who their body corporate manager is. Come find me today and tell me what’s up!!

Have you breached by laws? What does a body corporate manager usually do in this situation? Today I talk about the importance of managing relationships and trying to build rapport in the community.

In today’s episode I discuss what it is I think Strata managers really sell and that is time and trust. People come to us to get help with their unit or town house because they think we have an order expertise or competency above and beyond what they do when it comes to Strata and this is actually a huge compliment when you get past the email and phone call inundation factor.

Believe it or not but once a fire protection asset like an extinguisher or a smoke alarm, or an exit sign is installed it is not “self maintaining”. Please understand that magic fairies will not come along and look after the assets for free. And batteries that go into smoke alarms wear out! They run out of juice! Today’s rant brought to you by Joey courtesy of two lattes and a cranky phone call from an owner.

In today’s segment I talk about why, if you live in a body corporate or strata title unit in Queensland, you should call the police when unreasonable noise is keeping you from functioning. The police have so much more power than I do as a body corporate manager to issue fines, throw people off the property and arrest anybody who does not comply. My super power is writing letters but sometimes that is not enough.