STRATA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: LEGISLATION AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES

Course Background

Strata title allows ownership of individual units (termed a strata lot) in a property development and shared ownership of common property such as lift lobbies, driveways, garden and swimming pools. This form of property ownership (particularly in housing) is popular in land scarce Singapore as it allows individual owners to enjoy landed-property type of facilities and amenities.

The Building Maintenance & Strata Management Act (BMSMA) governs management and maintenance of strata-titled properties to primarily ensure that a structure and processes are in place for maintenance and management of the common property and that individual owners contribute towards this cost based on the size (share value) of their unit. Those involved in the management of such properties will require fundamental knowledge of the BMSMA to pre-empt issues which may arise and to carry out their work effectively.

Course Objectives

At the end of the course, trainees should be able to understand the:

• Unique features of strata-titled properties
• Purpose and main provisions of the BMSMA
• Roles of the Developer as interim trustee manager prior to registration of the Strata Title
• Formation of and role of the Management Corporation (MC) and take-over procedures from the Developer
• Procedures for establishment and administration of the maintenance fund, pre and post MC formation
• Administrative procedures and documentation in strata titled management
• Defects management
• Role of the Managing Agent in strata titled properties

Course Outline

• STRATA TITLED PROPERTIES
  • Basic Concepts of Strata-Titled Property
  • BMSMA: The Vested Parties
  • Share Value: Significance & Representation
  • Share Value Determination (Residential Properties, Mixed Use Developments, Two-Tier Strata Development)
• ROLE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BUILDINGS (COB)
  • Function of the COB
  • Administrative Role
  • Monitoring Power & Empowerment
  • Enforcement Role to Act
• DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEVELOPER
  • Before MCST Registration & MC Constitution
  • After MCST Registration to First AGM: Initial Period
  • After First AGM: Handover to MCST
• DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUBSIDIARY PROPRIETORS (SP)
  • Rights of SPs
  • Responsibilities of SPs
    • Compliance / Observe By-Laws
    • Maintenance Contributions
    • Maintenance of Lot & Exterior Features
    • Inter-floor Leaks
    • Compliance with Notices Issued by Public Authorities
    • Improvement & Alterations to Lots
    • Installation of Safety Equipment Permitted
• DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION (MC)
  • Preamble: MC & Two-Tier MC
  • Duties of the MC
  • Election of the MC Council
  • Rights & Conduct of MC Council Members
  • Duties of Officer Bearers
  • Vacation & Removal: MC Council Member & Office Bearer
  • Restrictions to the Council
• DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGING AGENTS (MA)
  
  • Role & Responsibilities of MAs
  • Professionalising of MA Services
• STRATA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION & DOCUMENTATION (MC)
  • General Meetings & Resolutions
  • MC Council Meetings
  • Insurances
  • Dispute Resolution
    • Informal Resolution
    • Mediation
    • Strata Titles Boards (STBs)

Who should take this course?

The course will benefit those who have a vested interest in buildings including:

• Developers
• Building Owners
• Government Officials
• Architects
• Engineers
• Project Managers
• Quantity Surveyors
• Contractors / Sub-Contractors / Suppliers
• Property Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Maintenance Managers
• Management Corporations
• Town Councils
• and Others

Course Accreditation and Certificate of Attendance

The course has been approved for 7 PDU units under the PE Board Continuing Professional Development programme. Attendance certificates will be issued; they may also be suitable for meeting the CPD requirements of other relevant professional bodies not operating a CPD course accreditation system.