Now, more than ever, the role of the strata managers is critical for ensuring the successful operation of the 270,000 strata schemes in Australia. At StrataBee we are doing everything we can to assist the owners corporation in navigating these unprecedented times. There are four key challenges facing our strata communities at present:
- The health and safety of the residents
- The financial health of the strata scheme
- The communication and meetings of the owners corporation
- The state of repairs and maintenance in the building
Health and safety
Protecting the health of the residents of the strata buildings we manage is our top priority. Our goal as strata managers is to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in our communities by keeping ourselves informed with all the latest advice and by implementing all the necessary measures. Some of our current practices are listed below:
- We encourage any resident who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who are required to self-isolate, to inform their Strata Manager so that we can assist them and protect others. The identity of any such persons and their specific location is kept confidential to protect their privacy. But having this information as early as possible allows us to notify any of the service contractors who may be impacted by these circumstances and give them the opportunity to manage their own Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) as required.
- We encourage all cleaners, building managers and strata managers to reference Australian Government Department of Health – Cleaning Guide for COVID-19 when discussing cleaning needs.
- We implement additional cleaning of the common areas and install hand sanitiser stations at all lifts, reception and other high frequented areas. We understand supply is hard to get now and are working on finding suppliers for our clients.
- We encourage buildings with lifts to adopt a limit of 2 persons in each lift at any one time. We ask the residents, if possible, to use knuckles or elbows to press elevator buttons and to open doors.
- We recommend the temporary closure of all the communal facilities in the buildings (such as swimming pools, gyms and BBQ areas).
- We place signs in throughout the common areas to remind all the residents, contractors and visitors that they can slow the spread of COVID-19 by practising good hygiene and social distancing.
Financial Health
At StrataBee we understand the impact of COVID-19 on the financial situation of many people in our community. Even though it is our responsibility as strata managers to make sure that all levies are paid and that the scheme’s budget is balanced, we look at every situation on a case-by-case basis. We have conversations with owners if they can’t pay their levies before issuing demands. Some owners may have lost their jobs or have been reduced to only minimal hours each week or may rely on income from short-term letting guests. We work with committees and owners to pass a resolution to waive interest and implement formal approved payment plans or an ‘informal’ payment plan if appropriate.
Responsible cashflow management will be paramount not only in the immediate future, but in the months to come as health and governmental agencies predict we’ll be dealing with the impacts of the pandemic for many months. Due to the economic fallout of COVID-19, Owners and Tenants may seek financial relief if they are out of work or their income significantly reduced. Owners may be asking for exemptions or deferment of levy payments, which unless the Government provides some assistance or passes legislation, can only be dealt with on a building per building level. The building loads outlined above will also affect cashflow if schemes haven’t budgeted for this contingency and as noted, it is likely that some Owners will fall into arrears at the same time.
Meetings
Although meetings are arguably more productive in person, we have had to limit face to face meetings in accordance with the Health orders. This restriction currently applies to both general and committee meetings. Instead we offer to conduct our meetings electronically by using our mobile app to facilitate the casting of votes and video conferencing apps such as Zoom and Skype for Business to discuss the meeting’s agenda. We are following the relevant advice and will update our policies as soon as the situation changes.
Repairs and Maintenance
Site inspections, scheduled maintenance and repairs still continue, but we hold discussions around preventative measures on a case by case basis. We encourage all our contractors to take all the adequate precautions while on-site:
- Avoid any close contact with anyone on-site.
- Sanitise hand and equipment before and after conducting their duties.
- Postpone the works if feeling unwell or they have been overseas.
- Avoid shaking hands.
- Bring their own pen if any signature is required.
As strata managers, it is our job to connect communities together and find the right help for those who are more vulnerable, in this difficult time, that is why, at StrataBee, we don’t leave anyone behind.
