Owners Corporation Manager Vs Property Manager: Whats the difference?
- mark41415
- May 5
- 4 min read
In this informative article, we will break down the differences between the two and explain why choosing a trusted and experienced Owners Corporation Manager, like Iconic Strata Management, can make a significant difference in managing your strata or community titles.
When it comes to managing residential or commercial properties, there are a number of roles involved, each with its own area of responsibility. Two key roles that often confuse property owners are Owners Corporation Managers and Property Managers. Although they both handle aspects of property management, their duties and scope of work differ significantly.
What is an Owners Corporation Manager?
An Owners Corporation Manager is primarily responsible for the management of shared spaces in a building or complex. This role is most commonly associated with properties that are part of a strata scheme, community title, or body corporate. Their key focus is on the common areas of the property, such as hallways, gardens, lifts, and recreational areas, as well as the overall running of the owners' corporation.
Their responsibilities include:
Governance and Compliance: Ensuring the property complies with relevant legislation, including strata laws, safety standards, and insurance requirements.
Financial Management: Overseeing the budget, ensuring proper maintenance of shared facilities, collecting levies from owners, and managing accounts.
Maintenance and Repairs: Organizing the repair and maintenance of common property areas, including arranging for contractors and ensuring work is completed to a high standard.
Meetings and Documentation: Coordinating Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and providing guidance on decision-making for the owners' corporation. This includes preparing minutes, distributing notices, and ensuring proper record-keeping.
Dispute Resolution: Mediating disputes between owners and addressing issues related to the communal living space.
As a trusted Owners Corporation Manager, Iconic Strata Management is experienced in handling all of these tasks and ensuring that the day-to-day management of shared properties runs smoothly, minimizing stress for property owners.
What is a Property Manager?
A Property Manager, on the other hand, is focused on the individual units or properties within a development or building. This role generally applies to rental properties, whether residential or commercial. A Property Manager works directly with landlords (or property owners) and tenants to ensure the smooth operation of the individual rental units.
Their responsibilities include:
Tenant Management: Handling tenant selection, leasing agreements, rent collection, and ensuring tenants follow the terms of the lease.
Property Maintenance: Coordinating repairs and maintenance of individual properties as required, which could include plumbing, electrical work, or general upkeep within a private unit.
Rent and Financial Management: Setting and collecting rent, managing finances related to the property, and ensuring that payments are made on time.
Tenant Communications: Addressing tenant concerns, organizing inspections, and ensuring any issues that arise within the private spaces of the property are resolved quickly.
Compliance: Ensuring the property complies with local rental laws, including health and safety regulations.
Unlike the Owners Corporation Manager, a Property Manager does not typically have a role in managing shared areas of the property or enforcing the rules of the owners' corporation.
Key Differences Between Owners Corporation Managers and Property Managers are as follows...
While both roles involve managing aspects of a property, the key difference lies in their scope of responsibility. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Aspect | Owners Corporation Manager | Property Manager |
Focus Area | Common areas (lobbies, gardens, lifts, etc.) | Individual rental units |
Primary Role | Managing the owners’ corporation and shared spaces | Managing tenant relations and individual properties |
Governance | Ensuring legal and regulatory compliance for the whole building or complex | Ensuring individual property compliance |
Maintenance | Oversees repairs and maintenance of common areas | Handles repairs and maintenance of individual units |
Dispute Resolution | Manages disputes between owners in the owners’ corporation | Handles tenant-landlord disputes |
Financial Management | Manages levies, budgets, and accounts for the entire building or development | Manages rent collection and individual property finances |
Why Choose Iconic Strata Management as Your Owners Corporation Manager?
Iconic Strata Management stands out as a trusted, experienced, and certified owners corporation management service. We understand the intricacies of strata living and the complexities involved in managing both common property areas and the owners' corporation. With years of experience, we pride ourselves on delivering comprehensive and tailored solutions that ensure the smooth running of your property.
Here’s why our clients choose us:
Expert Knowledge: We have a deep understanding of strata laws and regulations, ensuring your property is always in full compliance.
Experienced Team: Our team is equipped with the skills and experience to manage all aspects of your strata property, from financials to dispute resolution.
Personalized Service: At Iconic Strata Management, we tailor our services to suit your specific needs, ensuring a hassle-free experience for property owners.
Trust and Reliability: As certified owners corporation managers, we are committed to building long-lasting relationships based on trust, transparency, and reliability.
While both Owners Corporation Managers and Property Managers play crucial roles in property management, their areas of focus and responsibilities are distinctly different. For those managing a strata scheme or community living space, an experienced Owners Corporation Manager like Iconic Strata Management is vital to ensuring the efficient running of the entire development.
If you’re looking for a professional and certified owners corporation manager to take care of your property’s shared spaces and governance, Iconic Strata Management is here to help. Get in touch with us today and discover how we can make your strata property management experience seamless and stress-free.
Our expertise in both residential and commercial property management ensures that we have the skills and knowledge to manage your property efficiently and effectively.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your apartment buying journey, don’t hesitate to contact Iconic Strata Management today.
Please contact our experienced team on 03 9982 1300 or email info@iconicstrata.com.au for advice on how to best manage your property.
Learn more about Owners Corporation Management?
Visit our Knowledge Hub where we have a bunch of great information about how owners corportion management works and everything you need to know.