Consumer Affairs Legislation Amendment Act 2010 affects Owners Corporation Administration

Whilst the Consumer Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 was introduced to Parliament merely seeking to clarify the Government`s intentions re OC Act that existed at the time of introduction The overall effect of the changes will see extra requirements imposed on OC`s and the managers.

The Act was assented on 9/2/10 and the section amending the OC Act will come into operation 1/11/11 unless proclaimed earlier

Some of the areas affected:

The need to delegate by instrument OC Committee powers at all AGMs

A requirement that the OC seal Include Plan of Subdivision Number and further control over use

The requirement to affirm if interest is to be charged on arrears

Additional OC Insurance obligations

The inclusion of the previous AGM minutes and reports for consideration with Meeting Notices

The requirement to have accounts settled (unless cash) 4 business days prior to AGM

The Chairman and secretary can be revoked by the OC Committee

Functions of Manager where no Committee

Sealing of OC Certificate and availability of register

 

For full details of the Act see www.legislation.vic.gov.au

 

Further details are available from this web page

or call

DR Strata Management on

03 97075330

or email  info@drstrata.com.au

 

 

 

 

 

Our Services

DR Strata Management acts on behalf of Owners Corporations – which are made up of the owners of the lots within the Owners Corporations.

We act on behalf of Owners Corporations – to take the worry and paper-work out of managing your most important asset – your home, your investment or business premises.

DR Strata Management is appointed by the Owners Corporation and acts, under a management agreement, as the manager of the Owners Corporation carrying out all aspects of management including:

  • arranging and administration of Owners Corporation insurance
  • arranging Owners Corporation maintenance
  • providing advice about the implementation of Owners Corporation Rules
  • organising and administering the required Owners Corporation meetings
  • maintaining the Owners Corporation accounts
  • collection of Owners Corporation contributions and levies
  • assisting the Owners Corporation to meet the requirements of the Owners Corporation Regulations
  • Compiling and maintaining records as required by the Owners Corporation Act
  • carrying out functions in accordance with the Owners Corporations Victoria (OCV)member requirements.

Big is beautiful

DR Strata Management’s portfolio is in excess of 5500 lots in almost 550 Owners Corporations and includes residential, industrial, commercial, holiday letting, and mixed development properties (combining, for example, commercial restaurants and shops with residential apartments).

The Owners Corporations managed by DR Strata Management range from three unit industrial properties to those with more than 140 units in high rise complexes and multi unit industrial/commercial complexes.

DR Strata Management has such an extensive portfolio its managers are knowledgeable and skilled as a result of working daily with diverse and often complex situations. Our experienced managers have also built strong relationships with a team of reliable tradespeople to provide you and your Owners Corporation with the best service.

DR Strata Management is experienced in the establishment of new Owners Corporations and managing long standing, existing, Owners Corporations. We can also make the move from being a ‘self managed’ Owners Corporation to one which is professionally managed trouble free.

Dedicated Property Managers

DR Strata Management’s team of professional managers are assigned to look after a portfolio of individual properties. Your appointed manager controls and is responsible for all aspects of the management of the Owners Corporation. The appointed manager will be your permanent, personal point of contact with DR Strata Management.

The size and diversity of the DR Strata Management team allows for managers with the appropriate skills to be matched to each Owners Corporation’s requirements.

Your Own Secure ‘Owners Corporation Home Page’

DR Strata Management can establish a secure web homepages for each Owners Corporation.

The members of a Owners Corporation can be given a password which provides access to a secure web ‘space’ that contains information about just their Owners Corporation. This service provides easy access to, for example, the current and historic agendas and minutes of meetings together with information about the maintenance people used to look after the property.

We recognise that not everyone has access to the Internet so this service does not replace the current paper-based system of information distribution. It is a value-added service that means you have access to information at your finger tips and gives DR Strata Management the opportunity to keep you up-to-date with new and additional information.


Systems and Support

DR Strata Management understands the importance of having strong processes and state-of-the-art systems to ensure Owners Corporation clients are well served. The company is supported by and offers:

  • The latest Owners Corporation specific computer software. The Australian designed and developed software called Stratamatic is networked through DR Strata Management’s office providing all Owners Corporation Managers with comprehensive information at their finger tips. The system comprises a powerful:
    • database including owner an supplier information
    • reporting function
    • wordprocessing
    • diary and management function

The system supports the provision of accurate, comprehensive and meaningful reports of Owners Corporation operations and allows the efficient and accurate control and circulation of agendas, minutes and other information.

  • current up-to-date  knowledge of the Owners Corporations Act 2006 and Owners Corporation Regulations, Occupational Health and Safety legislation, Essential Service legislation, the Financial Services Act and Insurance Regulations together with their application and compliance requirements.
  • the latest Owners Corporation specific computer software which manages all Owners Corporation information including membership lists together with accounting and management functions. This up-to-date system enables the analysis and communication of critical information.
  • A team of dedicated contractors available to assist in all facets of Owners Corporation requirements from the simple to the most complicated.
  • A 24/7 emergency maintenance service authorised by DR Strata and Insurance companies to attend to all emergency situations.
  • Full professional office facilities including networked computer system, email, collating multi copy photo copier, latest telephone system, adequate filing facilities and systems which enable us to offer an  efficient and professional management service. 
  •  Board room and facilities to enable the conduct of Owners Corporation meetings as required.
  • A proven strategy for collection of bad debts from delinquent Owners Corporation members.
  • A team with diverse and high level skills in:
    • financial management
    • engineering
    • small business management
    • risk management
    • land care
    • environmental management
    • IT
    • Occupation Health and Safety
    • dispute resolution
    • government regulations
  • professional indemnity insurance in accordance with the Owners Corporation Regulations.
  • friendly, courteous efficient ongoing management service


Trades & Services

DR Strata Management has recruited a comprehensive list of dedicated, competent, reliable trades and service people from rubbish collectors to specialist legal services, to help us to provide complete and on-going maintenance and service for our portfolio of Owners Corporations.

Our team includes cleaners, plumbers, tree maintenance specialists, emergency maintenance firms, parking services, security services, painters, electricians, glaziers, gardeners, caretakers, fencers, valuers, specialist legal practitioners, insurance advisers - just to name a few.

Insurance

Insurance is an important consideration in all Owners Corporations and in fact it is a legal requirement.

For the insurance products and services for which we are qualified authorised representatives, we obtain quotes for insurance, place and renew insurance according to your instructions and notify the insurer of claims.

We are authorised representatives of CHU Underwriting Agencies Pty Limited and  Consolidated Insurance Agencies. DR Strata Management is fully informed of the financial services legislatiion (as it effects authorised representataion). (ASIC Rep No. 269111).

Meetings

DR Strata Management is pleased to hold your Owners Corporation meetings in our office meeting/board room or at your venue, at a time suitable to you.

Meetings are fully arranged by us, with notices, financial statements and budgets distributed to all owners well in advance of the meeting and minutes of the meeting are distributed promptly after the meeting.

We are pleased to make ourselves available for special or committee meetings if required.

Accounting

DR Strata Management use the latest specifically designed ‘Stratamatic’ software program to manage the accounts and conduct of the Owners Corporations under our management.

Payments made easy

DR Strata Management’s association with the Macquarie Bank allows members to pay their accounts in a full range of convenient ways – at the local post office, by cash, by cheque, using Internet banking, Bpay, by credit card and direct debit. Full and clear details about charges and levies to be paid are provided on the invoices which are issued with plenty of notice prior to the due date.

Emergency Service

Managers are always available during business hours and an emergency service is available 24 hours a day. All such repairs are reported promptly to us.

About appointing us

DR Strata Management is committed to meeting or exceeding industry best practice and we adhere to industry protocols. We manage in accordance with Owners Corporations Victoria Owners Corporation Management Agreement which specifically lists conditions of appointment and duties covered by the annual management fee. (we would be pleased to send you a copy if required)

The Management Agreement spells out for both parties what is provided and expected so there is full understanding of services and costs,