How to overthrow your apartment building’s strata (condo) committee
Australian Financial Review
by Jimmy Thomson
24 November 2017
As I sit here preparing to return to Sydney from Saigon, I am
surrounded by posters celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Russian
revolution.
Back in strata land (condo land), I know from many posts to my website
that coups are being plotted everywhere and every day. But how do you
get rid of one chairperson, a trio of office-bearers or even an entire
committee?
The greatest obstacles to change in strata are apathy and inertia, both
of which are exacerbated by the ability of the incumbents to control
both the message coming out of a committee (board of directors) and who
it is going to.
If you want to take over just because you don't like the person in charge, you may as well give up now.
owners hate personal conflict within their communities
In general, strata owners hate personal conflict within their
communities and they are not going to buy into your complaints without
good reason.
On the other hand, if you can show that the scheme is badly run, is
costing owners real money and depressing the value of their properties,
then you have the ammunition you need.
Tactics
Assuming the incumbents aren't listening to you, may even be actively
working to keep you out of the committee (board) and are refusing to
pass on your ideas, what do you do?
The simplest tactic is to set up a website or restricted Facebook page that can be accessed only by owners in your building.
Then you need to get a list of owners' physical addresses—you are
entitled to see your strata roll—and send out postcards (because they
are cheaper) saying something catchy like "Want to know how your
committee is costing you money? Log on to this website or Facebook
page."
You would also include an owners-only password, just to show you aren't washing your dirty linen in public.
And what should be on the website? Preferably something that criticises
committee decisions (or lack thereof) but not individuals.
And include some well-researched examples of how money could be better
spent or how the values of all properties would be enhanced by a bit of
investment here and there.
Real estate agent support
Statements from local real estate agents telling owners how much more
their properties would be worth if the committee did this or that will
carry weight.
This, however, will not convince retirees on fixed incomes who have no
intention of either paying higher levies or selling any time soon.
If you don't have any supporters, stop now.
Then add a call to arms and the names and resumes of your supporters
who will be standing for change at the next AGM. If you don't have any
supporters, stop now.
Start about a month out from the AGM and make regular online updates.
And collect e-mail addresses from owners if you can, as you are not
entitled to see them on the strata roll unless they have given
permission.
Do this and, at the very least, you'll have laid the groundwork for a
debate at the AGM and there will be less chance of the "better the
devil you know" donkey vote.
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