This article discusses whether strata managers should proactively challenge a committee on poor governance or non-compliance.
Question: Should a strata manager take a stronger role in challenging a committee on poor governance or non-compliant decisions, even if it risks conflict?
Our strata manager is responsive but avoids challenging the committee on questionable decisions or governance issues. Should a strata manager take a more proactive role in advising the committee and ensuring compliance with legislation, even if it creates tension?
Answer: If the strata manager is providing frank advice that complies with the Act, that will earn the respect of everyone.
The strata manager probably knows that the strata committee is the one effectively responsible for recommending renewal of their agreement, and sometimes there’s a reluctance to stand up to the committee.
It’s great that the strata manager is responsive. That’s probably one of the biggest criticisms you hear about strata managers, that they’re not responsive, that they don’t reply because they’ve got so much going on.
I form the view that you’re better off standing up to a committee in the long run. Nine times out of ten, if you tell the committee what the law is, how they should be doing things in line with best practice, and help find compliant solutions that achieve their objectives, they’re going to respect you more. You’ll earn the respect of both the strata committee and the owners more than if you simply bend the knee to the committee.
I would encourage this person to reinforce to the strata manager that they have the support of the owners as well. If the strata manager is providing frank advice that complies with the Act, that will earn the respect of everyone.
Hugh McCormack McCormacks Strata Management E: Hugh.McCormack@mccormacks.com.au P: 1300 991 825
This post appears in Strata News #769.
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