Industry professionalisation of strata title managers: what are the implications for governance?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the rise of strata manager as a newly emergent profession and note their impact on the governance within medium and high density, strata titled housing such as flats, apartments, town-houses and CIDs.

Design/methodology/approach

This research presents finding from a small scale, qualitative research project focused on the interaction between the owner committee of management and strata managers.

Findings

The introduction mandatory certification is championed by industry bodies. The strata managers considered they already demonstrated valuable attributes desired by committees of management. These differed to the attributes targeted by the new training regime, and the attributes valued by the committees of management.

Research limitations/implications

This is a small scale pilot study. A larger study will need to be undertaken to confirm these results.

Practical implications

There is a disjunct between the training and what strata managers consider relevant to undertaking their duties. This has significance for the ongoing governance of these properties and industry professionalisation. The resilience of Australia’s densification policies will depend on how learning will translate into better governance outcomes for owners.

Social implications

One in three people within Australia’s eastern states lives or owns property within strata titled complex (apartments, flats and townhouse developments). The increasing number of strata managers and professionalisation within their industry has the ability to impact an increasing number of people.

Originality/value

The impact of this new profession, and their requirements in terms of expertise has not been fully considered within existing academic literature.

Citation

Altmann, E. (2015), "Industry professionalisation of strata title managers: what are the implications for governance?", Property Management, Vol. 33 No. 2, pp. 187-204. https://doi.org/10.1108/PM-07-2014-0030