Taking an active approach to strata services

The ever-growing strata services industry - which continues to experience an upsurge in demand as Australians become increasingly drawn to inner-city living - is providing consumers with greater choice.

With this growth comes greater client expectation of a more enhanced professional service, with recent statistics highlighting a quarter of Victorians now own or occupy a unit in an owners corporation (OC).

As clients expect to receive a greater return on their investment, the importance of delivering new and improved services that reflect the unique requirements of each development cannot be understated.

Melbourne Owners Corporation Services (MOCS), a privately-owned strata services company in Victoria, aims to combine its extensive expertise with professional services that go above and beyond basic OC management duties.

Through the implementation of smart technologies and new methods of effectively engage with the demands of larger owners corporations, MOCS seeks to cater to developers across the state.

Managing Director of MOCS, Sherry Li, expects a shift away from traditional OC management to respond to the requirements of a rapidly evolving strata services industry. 

With over 10 years’ experience in the industry, Ms Li and her team are responding and evolving to emerging trends and are committed to offering a service that boasts both the technical and legislative know-how that some other companies may not be able to offer.

Ms Li notes that OC managers are increasingly having to offer more than just sound administration skills - they are now expected to manage and advise on complex strata issues.

This could include ensuring member access to relevant materials at the click of a button, offering innovative digital options, administering a teleconference for meeting absentees, or being able to speak multiple languages.

It’s important to offer a service that exceeds expectations and adds greater value to that of the client.  All of our OC managers have extensive experience in the industry and most are bilingual.

We also convene and attend all annual general meetings for the properties in their portfolio. It really is important to differentiate yourself from newcomers in the sector.

We put our clients first, but we also understand the power of having a strong team to be able to achieve that. I encourage my staff to attend regular seminars to keep up with what is a quickly-developing industry.

Our philosophy is to re-invest in our business and our people, so that our clients not only reap the rewards now, but in future too.

-  Sherry Li, Managing Director of MOCS,

Looking ahead, MOCS forecasts technology playing a huge role in the future of strata services, including:

• Video conferencing for OC members interstate or overseas, who are unable to attend important meetings in person;
• Drone use by contractors for building inspections as a way to keep costs down;
• High-resolution security cameras covering almost every corner of the common areas that can be viewed remotely by OC managers; and
• Remotely managed building infrastructures such as remotely operating lifts for move-ins/outs at residential buildings where there is no onsite manager.

By ensuring they remain up to date with advancements in technology and other client-focused means, MOCS expects to remain at the forefront of a rapidly evolving and competitive sector.

Lead Image: Ryan Seychell