YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER IN STRATA
SMARTERCOMMUNITIES.COM.AU
Delivering smart solutions to create a better lifestyle for people living and invested in communities
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SMARTERCOMMUNITIES.COM.AU
Our History Smarter Communities is a family-owned business with a longestablished history in property and strata title management dating back to 1978. With more than four decades of evolving strata knowledge and expertise, Smarter Communities is now one of the largest strata management companies in Australia after successful integrations of leading local strata companies. The Smarter Communities group now comprises five state-leading strata management companies; Adelaide Strata and Community Management (SA), Challenge Strata Management (QLD), Ernst Body Corporate Management (QLD), Strata Title Management (NSW & QLD), and Victoria Body Corporate Services (VIC).
Est 1992
Est 1982
Est 1978
Est 1995
Est 1979
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We are a trusted partner building long-term, sustainable partnerships with strata owners all around the country. – J Alexander Lang, CEO
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Our Vision The Smarter Communities group, collectively, are united by one corporate vision; to deliver smart solutions to create a better lifestyle for people living and invested in communities. Our ultimate goal is to increase the value of our customers’ property investments in a sustainable way by providing greater access to quality information and empowering them to make smarter decisions about their community. To achieve our vision, and reinforcing everything we do across all levels of our business are our four core values: OUR VALUES Honesty This is our foundation. Honesty is when you speak the truth and act truthfully. At Smarter Communities, we build trusting relationships with our customers, contractors and suppliers based on our strong business integrity. An honest person does not do or say things that are morally wrong, and we will question any actions inconsistent with our values. Quality We constantly strive to deliver high quality results for our customers and measure our efforts for accountability. We are committed to providing a professional and proactive customer experience and can be relied upon to deliver on our promises. Curiosity This is our mindset, the way we approach our work to continue to learn and grow. We identify root causes and go way beyond treating symptoms. We challenge predictable assumptions and processes and offer new creative, smarter approaches and solutions. Collaboration The way we engage with each other is vital to the success of our relationships. We listen, we encourage and respect diversity of thought. We proactively share our knowledge and expertise with others to benefit the communities we manage. 7
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Our Experience Trusted advisor of choice It’s been estimated that nine per cent of the Australian population currently live in strata titled homes throughout the country. Our ambition is not to be the largest strata management company in Australia, but to deliver the best strata management experience to strata residents and be recognised as the employer of choice - the forefront of service innovation - to the strata industry.
industry longevity
Our strata companies are ranked amongst the top of Australia’s Strata & Property Management Services category on independent review site ProductReview.com.au
40+ years of evolving strata experience Our smarter journey path has been evolving for decades and is both internally and externally focused. As a business we have tested our capabilities to constantly adapt to change and respond to challenges that appear along our path. The 2020 covid-19 pandemic saw the group of companies respond quickly to urgent, panicked client needs and successfully adjust to the stringent restrictions placed upon everyone. Our ongoing investment in innovative technology and solutions have proven beneficial in delivering service excellence to our staff and clients.
EXPERIENCE
5,000
Communities entrust Smarter Communities
90,000 2-1000+ SCHEME SIZES
Lots currently under management
Sized residential and commercial communities
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Our People At the core of our business is our people. They form our wider family and focus on delivering innovative, cost effective and long-lasting solutions to our customers. The Smarter Communities group is a distinctive employer with a people and culture diversity as unique as the properties we manage. Our teams are equipped with the training, tools and trust to perform their duties at exceptionally high levels. Together we have nurtured and grown an extremely capable, adaptable and pioneering team of professionals who are valued and respected. In turn, our people are devoted to delivering outstanding results and are rewarded for their efforts. Right beside our great Chief Executive Officer, J Alexander Lang, are our award-winning and industry recognised people who have a passion for property, and genuinely care for the communities under our management.
SCALE
250 Staff nationally
DIVERSE
50% 11 Equal opportunity
Offices across Australia
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Partnering with Developers Our team appreciate that each development opportunity has its complexities and respond quickly to understand the developer’s vision. We have proven expertise with adding value to residential and mixed-use developments and master planned communities. With 11 offices throughout Australia our team has extensive cross-border technical, financial and complex legislative experience. We provide ongoing support and guidance throughout the development consultation phase of your development and the establishment of the owners corporation or body corporate. Our team will successfully drive the transition from developer owned to an active, operational complex with all service contracts executed and contractors ready for foundation residents. The services we deliver can be tailored to suit the specific needs of each unique project to maximise returns, with a view to exceed client expectations, while making the investment an attractive and realistic option for new homeowners.
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With the provision of space, our Community Managers can be onsite throughout the transition period and beyond.
Our developer services are extensive and broadly cover: Consultation • Advice on industry trends and best practices • Draft preliminary budgets tailored for each individual project and audience • Advice on strata titling and best practice for the subdivision • Draft or recommend by-laws and special rules that best fit the project Establishment • Establish owners corporation books and documentation • Prepare and undertake Inaugural General Meeting • Set operational budget(s) • Facilitate and arrange all insurances and strata policy at practical completion • Register by-laws • Ensure legislative compliance Transition • Preparation of owners corporation/bodies corporate certificates • Tender all service contracts, execute agreements and implement • Coordinate any specific services; place management, building and/or facilities management, concierge or embedded networks
For more about partnering with developers Scan to view
• Adopt and coordinate move-in schedules • Tailor comprehensive defects process in consultation with developer and builder
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Case Study BECK Property Group has enjoyed a relationship with Victoria Body Corporate Services for over 10 years. Our initial contact for every project has always been on the basis of establishing budgets for the pre-sale of our residential communities. These budget assumptions have always proved to be accurate once the Owners Corporations commences. The team at VBCS have assisted us greatly in the lead up to settlements coordinating the initial OC meeting and establishing procedures for settlements and move-ins. Our recent experience at Caulfield Health (468 apartments and townhouses) has cemented in our minds VBCS’s wide-ranging capabilities. Their team contracted on-site building management, placemaking, maintenance, caretaking and cleaning services. Caulfield Heath has been in operation for almost two years and to date these services have all operated most efficiently. The professionalism and reporting procedures implemented by VBCS have provided us with great comfort in knowing that we have appointed the best team to cater for our clients’ needs. We would have no hesitation in recommending VBCS to manage residential communities in any part of Victoria.
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Strata Community Management Our team of Community Managers are well-equipped to provide expert strata managerial advice and support to committees and owners from all kinds of properties ranging from residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use buildings, hotels and resorts. Our managers have in-depth knowledge of complex strata legislation and regulations and have the wide network of the Smarter Communities family to draw upon for consultation and hands-on experience. Working alongside each manager is a further support team of professionals with extensive skill sets and a wealth of experience. Trust accountants, repairs & maintenance teams, facilities management, compliance and administration - collectively we ensure our communities are managed to the highest standard with maximum community engagement. Every Smarter Communities managed property receives personalised services from a team who not only facilitate the effective running of the owners corporation, but future-proof it.
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We’re focused on the seamless delivery of core strata management services and value-added services that contribute positively to customer satisfaction.
Our services are extensive but broadly cover: Financial Management • Establish and manage trust accounts • Prepare budgets • Prepare and lodge BAS returns • Manage any debt recovery
Technical Services & Compliance • Common property repairs and maintenance • Building compliance review and certification • Arrange building insurances and manage claims • Review and registration of by-laws
Secretarial & Administration • Meetings attendance and preparation of documentation • Issue levies and manage contributions • Maintain strata roll and records • Manage payments to contractors and suppliers
Community Engagement • Build relationships with Committee and owners • Relevant content delivered via blog and newsletters • Access to inspirational and informative magazine • Empower owners to make informed decisions about their community
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Case Study Increasing property value, 72 apartments This apartment building was previously managed by a small, newly established strata company offering cheap management fees. Mirroring the low management fees was the lack of professional services being provided. STM took over management, met with the disgruntled, angry owners and prioritised the outstanding issues. These were scheduled over a six-month period when funds would be available. The owners were so impressed with the results achieved so quickly, they signed a three-year contract. BEFORE • Invoices were being paid without owner or strata committee knowledge • Request for full transparency was ignored • Urgent request for gutter repairs was left unanswered • Maintenance work to common property was only a temporary fix • Committee members were ignored, causing tension and frustration AFTER • STM compiled a list of outstanding maintenance items in priority order • Arranged three quotes for first maintenance item • H eld committee meeting to determine scope of work and to ensure funds were available. The committee accepted the quote and works began. • C ommittee was updated weekly on the status of the work undertaken. Upon completion the invoice was sent to the committee for approval with photographic evidence of works. • C ommittee confidence restored, STM scheduled remaining outstanding works to be undertaken when funds were replenished each quarter. • W ithin STM’s first six months as manager a tree had been removed with council approval, fence repaired, concrete path repaired, gutters replaced, and quotes obtained for a roof project.
The owners were so pleased they signed a m anagement contract for the maximum t erm permitted under NSW legislation of t hree years! The mutually respectful r elationship still continues today.
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HILTON – Surfers Paradise 412 Lots Hotel, Commercial & Residential
KING WILLIAM ST – Adelaide 63 Lots Commercial & Residential
BAYSIDE – Caringbah 22 Lots Residential 20
SMARTERCOMMUNITIES.COM.AU
Our Portfolio Managing approx 5,000 Communities, our portfolio is diverse and extensive, covering small-medium residential and commercial blocks including townhouses and villas, shop lots and hotels, to large mixed-use high rises. View our portfolio at smartercommunities. com.au/properties
View our Portfolio Scan to view
LITTLE COLLINS ST – Melbourne 51 Lots Heritage, Commercial & Residential
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NEW BEACH RD – Sydney 4 Lots Residential
ADVANTAGE RD – Highett 11 Lots Industrial 22
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SKYTOWER – Brisbane 1,139 Lots Residential
IVORY PALACE – Tweed Heads 17 Lots, Residential
MURRUMBEENA – Victoria 32 Lots, Residential 23
As a business, we continually explore meaningful ways to support individuals and communities
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Our corporate conscience SPONSORSHIP When you find people as passionate about apartments and creating the ideal lifestyle for those living in strata buildings as we are, we naturally wanted to align with them. Smarter Communities has partnered with the Australian Apartment Advocacy (AAA), a not-for-profit agency that lobbies government and developers about the needs of the apartment community and educates the public on the benefits of apartment living. AAA is the voice for people who choose apartments and together we’re on your side. Smarter Communities sponsors key industry stakeholders to fulfil its mission to create a better lifestyle for those living and invested in strata communities.
SUSTAINABILITY In 2020 Smarter Communities made a commitment to the Forktree Project located in South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula to help improve the health of the planet. By participating in this project, Smarter Communities has committed to becoming carbon neutral within five years through the plantation of 900+ plants. This is an ambitious yet achievable target, demonstrating the company’s dedication to restoring and reforesting neglected farmland for the purpose of land regeneration and carbon offsetting as well as re-establishing the native Australian habitat.
COMMUNITY As a responsible corporate citizen, Smarter Communities is always prepared to support the community in times of need. This ranges from providing financial support to organisations such as Red Cross, Beyond Blue, Lifeline, St Vincent de Paul Society to team members giving up their time to support charitable organisations/ events. 25
17,000+ social media followers
1,500+ weekly blog readers
65,000+ magazine/newsletter readers
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SMARTERCOMMUNITIES.COM.AU
Communications We bring strata to real life Strata is made up of a truly diverse group of people from many walks of life; different cultures, age groups, families, couples and singles, retirees‌ it’s what makes strata unique and interesting. The common thread is they are all property owners, either as owner-occupiers or owner-investors, yet they have varying levels of understanding how to make the most from their investment and their experience whilst living in strata. Smarter Communities recognises this diversity and produces an array of content to inform, educate and inspire people living and invested in strata.
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Contact us on 1800 519 642 Make the call today for smarter strata management and consulting. smartercommunities.com.au facebook.com/SmarterCommunities linkedin.com/company/smarter-communities
Smarter Communities Limited ABN 25 065 006 859. Our brands include Adelaide Strata & Community Management, Challenge Strata Management, Ernst Body Corporate Management, Strata Title Management and Victoria Body Corporate Services.
