Experience has shown that early involvement of strata managers in the design of a multi-unit complex can significantly improve saleability. Reducing the possibility of contested issues with an owners corporation post sale makes sense for owners and developer alike.
Consultation with a strata management company at the design stage can enhance residential life, and maintain the aesthetics of a building over a longer period, thanks to the mitigated need for remedial works after construction. The sometimes adversarial relationship between new owners and developers can be largely avoided with some timely strata advice.
Common sense strata
For one major apartment building in Melbourne, BCS were invited to review plans at the design stage with the developer and architect. BCS were able to identify potential problems had the design gone ahead without modification:
- The tiered roof design provided no secure belay point for window cleaners. The only access for window cleaning was via the private penthouse suite.
- No wheelchair ramp was included for access to the common area pool.
- No separate toilets were provided for the common area pool.
- No rear access was provided for the rear hall, necessitating all commercial waste be removed through the front entrance.
- Parking area entrance for pedestrians was via the vehicle ramp only.
Consultation with BCS at the initial stages of design allowed the build to address these issues at the right time. The design was modified before construction, and embracing a smart approach to common area usage, the final building met all Owners Corporation Act 1996 and Owners Corporation Regulations 2007 requirements. In turn, both buyer appeal and resident satisfaction received a boost. Keeping Owners Corporation levies low to attract more buyers needs to be tempered with those elements a strata property requires to be successful.
Bringing an awareness of the potential issues which can arise once a development is sold and becomes a community of residents, a strata management company such as BCS can offer a unique insight into what can work and what won’t.