Stairways are fire escape routes, and for elderly residents, it is the safest place to be in a fire situation within a residential strata building, if you are unable to safely exit. This is the theory, but it is not always true. After recently discovering 2 separate stair pressurization fans (SPF) removing fresh air instead […]
When undertaking works in a unit, it is the building managers role to protect all parties from unit owners making unreasonable demands on contractors that become ridiculous. The best way to do this is with a methodology of repair statement that an owner must agree to before undertaking the works. This never makes us popular […]
Along with our company policies and processes, we keep an article penned by Colin Grace of Grace Lawyers about abandoned goods as it articulates the best legal requirements and steps forward allowing the protection of the owners corporation, that I have seen to date. I would like to expand on this great article from a […]
Contractor risk management in strata residential buildings is not about making sure the paperwork is up to date and the t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted, it’s about keeping your residents safe, and for contractors to go home at the end of the day to their families safely. Inductions are usually met with […]
Most residents and strata committees would not be aware that their insurance policy likely stipulates that only cars registered at the buildings address are insured beyond secondary gates. This is one of the reasons why visitor parking is usually before secondary gates. So what does this mean? One point is if a resident leases a […]
Its a privilege working alongside powerhouse industry-leading legal teams and engineering experts in what is an unprecedented and landmark case in Australia’s strata industry. I get to remind myself this spending the odd Friday winding down in the mobile office looking at water view while winding down for the week. We all need to recharge so we […]
If your apartment floor waste admits sewer smells often, its likely your building has Air Admittance Valves and Grays Rescue Building Management are pleading for these valves (commonly referred to as a Durgo) to stop being used for large apartment blocks. As an ex plumber I understand the attraction of terminating vents in risers and […]
It’s part of life, when it comes to strata living, the best of building management & strata management companies can fall out of favour, it is what happens next that defines that company. For most of us, our ethics are everything and largely none of us would even consider proxy farming to retain a contract, […]
Being part of a strata committee is a thankless undertaking, and strata managers & building managers often find ourselves as mediators and it can get LOUD. A good rule to maintain a quality discussion is to treat group interactions like a debate. If everyone is provided a brief opportunity to voice their concerns, the tone […]
It doesn’t matter what building it is, it’s usually one of the same few common reasons why owners join a strata committee, either they are not happy with the decisions being made on their behalf or they hate the building manager or strata manager. As Grays Rescue Building Management are focused on buildings that require […]
When engineers and experts become engaged in a building it is usually the building management images that become the evidence chain for what happens next. So why aren’t all building managers time-stamping their photographs. It’s a free app!! These simple processes mean something and a chronological of an event means so much more when an […]
The tactic of delaying reporting of failed items for AFSS is too hard to resist for even the best fire services contractors, as delayed reporting eliminates the ability to obtain competitive pricing. I watched other building management companies fall for this year after year, while not investing in quality AFSS and company processes. At Grays […]
Being onsite, a building manager makes relationships quicker than strata managers with residents and committees, and a picture tells a thousand words when there is a problem. A Strata Manager can be flying blind on issues while a building manager is there and can see it first hand in full perspective. My relationship with strata managers […]
The most common statement you may hear from a strata committee is “we don’t have sufficient money in our sinking fund to undertake larger repairs and maintenance to common property”. Every strata scheme large or small will undertake remedial rectifications at some point and if a committee commissions a remedial report for faults in the […]
Reviewing my list of resident complaints, visitor parking abuse represents the majority of complaints. The remaining contenders are incense and smells from units, barking dogs and noisy neighbours. Look at any strata meeting in any residential strata scheme and visitor parking is a regular topic. So why do owners get so uptight when a cheeky […]
The building management model of days past is not sustainable, and in this technological age, building management can be diverse with a “building manager when you want it” approach. As strata schemes and strata committees embrace Apps and clever software, old school building management companies who are clutching onto old school ways and not willing […]