Why You Need a Strata Manager for Strata Property Maintenance
Strata Building Management
Being the owner of strata property means that you own up all responsibilities related to the entire apartment including legal responsibilities. It’s not just enough to claim to be the proud owner of properties unless you demonstrate your pride through compliance. The entire property has to be maintained impeccably, and all legal compliance has to be met.
Not only during construction but also throughout the tenure of ownership, all necessary duties have to be fulfilled. Only after having played your role to perfection can you claim to be a proud owner. As it can now be understood, it is not an easy job especially when you have so many other preoccupations. Moreover, it requires a great amount of professional expertise about property management to deliver the goods. This post shows how you can manage your strata property in the right way.
Strata Property Maintenance
Owning a house and complying with the legal requirements of maintenance and upkeep is easier than that of a strata property. Strata property is similar to apartment blocks that have common areas that are shared among the property owners. The toughest challenge is to maintain and upkeep these areas in compliance with the laws. While owners can be very particular about maintaining their own demarcated areas, the attention is much less on common areas. In addition, the rules and regulations of strata property maintenance are not well known to property owners.
Strata councils are set up to maintain the strata property. The council looks after the tasks of maintaining the appearance and upkeep of common areas. They can hire a Strata manager to execute the job with professional competence. The manager would ensure that owners have peace of mind as all statutory and legal compliances are met.
Property manager or Strata manager?
Can a property manager perform the duties and assume the role of Strata manager? Technically speaking, there is no difference between the two entities, but the responsibilities are quite different. Both positions involve execution of property maintenance jobs to ensure that the property is well kept. A property manager owes allegiance to an individual property owner of the apartment. However, a Strata manager is responsible for the group of owners occupying the property. In order to avoid conflict of interest, separate persons should handle the roles of a property manager and Strata manager.
The legal angle
The owners of an apartment or the strata council appoint the strata manager more for meeting the legal requirements. It is true that he is also responsible for cleanliness and maintenance of the strata areas, but the legal needs are more crucial. For strata apartments, there are many legal requirements that have to be complied with. This is done perfectly by the strata manager. They make sure that gyms, pools, staircases, the lift area and corridors are cleaned and well maintained. Overall building maintenance is also ensured. They also arrange for proper insurance so that the investment of owners is protected.
In the case of any injuries happening from improper building maintenance, the owners can face a heavy financial penalty. Strata managers ensure that the building is properly valued so that replacement costs can be recovered through insurance.
Added role
Strata managers act like unofficial arbitrators when owners get entangled in disputes that can be settled out of court. They are looked upon as problem solvers for all owners and are expected to play the role of peacemakers. They receive directions from the strata council, and in their own interest, ensure that the council representatives meet regularly.
Commercial Office Cleaning Overview
December 3, 2016 by • Building Management, Office Cleaning • Tags: office cleaning •
The Best Office Cleaning Tips
A clean office says a lot about a company, and your office is the brain of your business. It should be well organized and free of clutter. Good organization can make money for your company and cut your product delivery time. This will ensure your company’s information network is quick and accurate. Cleaning services can be expensive but the good news is you don’t need to be a janitorial professional to keep your office clean. Using these office cleaning tips can keep your office clean and your company expenses within budget.
Your entry ways are very important because this is the first thing a visitor will see. It must set the professional tone and they should be cleaned every day. Air purifiers can be used to increase your air quality. It also helps to make a checklist as following it regularly will ensure your workplace stays clean. Inspect the area to be cleaned for items that need repair. You can save yourself a lot of work by focusing on these four points. You don’t need to be focused on building cleaning services every day, but it does need to be included in the maintenance agenda.
Prevention
You should dust at least once a week by using an all-purpose cleaner to clean all flat surfaces. Vacuum attachments trap the most dust. Use disinfectant on high touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, and telephones. You should also dust computers, file cabinets, counters, and desks. Start at the highest level first. Clean all spots on walls and doors. There are 2 ways to wipe down surfaces.
Make sure you allow time to dry. Furniture polish should be used on all woodwork. Clean all table tops, making sure to clean any piles of dust created. You should also clean the water fountain on a daily basis to avoid any hard-water buildup.
Desks
Desks should be cleaned at least once a week. Do not disturb any of the paperwork or files. Never turn off any computers. This can create havoc if you do. Organize your desk to make sure your workspace is clean and ready for action. I always recommend that you don’t eat lunch at your desk and you should always have a trash can close by. A bigger size can reduce the number of times you need to empty it and a shredder can dramatically reduce paper waste.
Bathrooms
You should always keep your bathroom extra clean. You will need a few things to make sure you keep your bathroom up to par. Here is a short list of things to consider.
You should start by cleaning all mirrors. The bottom part of the mirror is most often hit with excess water. Wipe off the dust and spots on the mirror and make sure to avoid smearing. Then make sure the sink is clear of any hair, soap, or spots. Next, polish the faucets. Then you should clean the toilet. First, spray the entire toilet in disinfectant. Then start wiping. When cleaning toilets, make sure to wipe the top of the seat, the back side of the connections, the underside of the seat and all around the bowl. If there is any debris in the toilet use the toilet bowl cleaner to free it up. Flush when cleaning is complete. Check the area around the toilet for loose paper. Now that your bathroom is clean you should dispose of your gloves.
Trashing
Start with any obvious pieces of trash like loose paper. Things like balled-up paper or food waste should be discarded. Trash cans should be checked for liquid substances and bags replaced if necessary. Empty all trash containers. Be careful not to accidentally throw away anything that isn’t trash. Now disinfect the trash can and return it to its original place. Once completed you should separate trash from recyclables and dispose of trash properly in designated area.
Floors
Daily cleaning is important to prevent the need for deeper cleaning, and daily vacuuming is an important part of your office cleaning strategy. You should always dust before you vacuum. This will ensure all the dust particles have settled on the floor prior to vacuuming. Make sure you concentrate on high-traffic areas the most. These can build up dirt due to excessive traffic. Make sure to vacuum under each desk. You can easily keep track of what desks you have cleaned by pulling the chair out. Before you vacuum, make sure to check power cord conditions. Next, check the vacuum bag and filter. If the bag is half full it should be replaced. Bags should always be changed when they are full. Start in a far corner and move towards the door. Vacuum the entrance-way mats then remove them and don’t forget to vacuum these 5 places.
Make sure to store your vacuum in an appropriate area and prepare your mop. Mop the floor with a properly mixed cleaning solution. Mopping can keep your office looking and smelling great. You want to mop all the edges first then fill in the open areas. Always use a wet floor sign to avoid any injuries to passers-by.
Windows
Windows can make your office seem more spacious. When you are cleaning windows, spray just enough to remove any smears or spots. Before you finish, squat down to check for streaks from different angles.
Office cleaning products
A clean office is a sign of professionalism and it can increase your business. Nobody wants to work with someone who is disorganized. Create a productive work environment by using these office cleaning tips to keep your workspace in pristine condition.