The best strata managers in Canberra

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Civium strata team photo

Civium, one of Canberra’s most recommended strata management companies. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

If you own an apartment or town home in a complex or block of units, you likely have a strata management company handling legal and insurance compliance, building maintenance, common property matters, finances and more. Strata managers work on behalf of all owners in a complex or block and usually work closely with the Owner’s Corporation or Executive Committee.

Strata managers handling unit titled buildings have a wide range of responsibilities and must be licensed and insured. They must also meet their obligations under relevant federal and state/territory legislation.

If your own property in a strata complex you’ll understand the importance of the work strata managers handle on your behalf.

In this article, we’ll outline the qualities considering when choosing a strata manager, and share where to find the best in Canberra.

What makes a great strata manager?

Choosing the right strata management company can give you peace of mind, maximise the value of your property investment and ensure the environment surrounding your property is safe and well maintained.

It can be helpful to keep the following in mind when choosing a strata manager.

  • Proper qualifications. You’ll want a strata manager who is properly qualified, licensed and insured to do the job, and do it well. Check out credentials and qualifications on strata management company websites or call them to discuss their offering and points of difference.
  • Number of properties. Some strata management operators are bigger than others and some look after a high-volume of units. Ask how many units the company manages and how many staff they have on board to back up their service, so you don’t get locked in to inefficient or unresponsive service.
  • Expertise and experience. In addition to formal qualifications, you’ll want to be confident that your strata manager has depth of experience, especially important given the breadth of their responsibilities and the complexities of managing a strata.
  • Financial expertise. If your strata manager is going to manage your building’s financials, make sure they have the knowledge and skills to do so well. You want funds spent wisely and with value-for-money in mind.
  • Quality service. Ask your strata management what procedures and processes they have in place for providing quality and responsive service. Also ask about their response and turnaround times so you know what you can reasonably expect.

The best strata managers in Canberra

Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.

To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.

Civium

Established in 2003, Civium is a family owned and operated business. From their humble beginnings as a commercial real estate agency, they have massively diversified their portfolio to include property management, commercial and residential real estate services, and strata management.

When it comes to strata management, Civium uses a bespoke network of systems, dashboards and portals in order to empower their clients. Civium will set you up with a dedicated team of experts from every field who will act as your personal advisors, and take all the stress of managing strata off of your shoulders.

The team behind Civium are passionate about the community and dedicated to progressive, innovative service. Civium strives above all to earn your trust through their exceptional customer service.

As Cian O’Driscoll writes on Google, Brooke and her team at Civium Strata Canberra have been very responsive and helpful when it has come to handing problems as they arose. Brooke has either implemented or facilitated a host of improvements in respect of the management of the building and has helped us commission the service-providers we need. Organised and efficient, this has been a great service.”

Vantage Strata

The team at award-winning Vantage Strata provides the full range of strata, facilities and building management services. With property knowledge and expertise spanning decades, Vantage Strata takes full responsibility for all facets of strata management, including in high density and mixed-use communities. All strata managers have specialised knowledge on unit titles legislation and communication.

Vantage Strata provides comprehensive end-to-end services for executive committees, owners and tenants. The team of strata managers draws on extensive industry knowledge and is committed to outstanding results.

James Morris wrote on Google, “One of the best strata management companies in Canberra. Extremely helpful and always happy to assist.”

Signature Strata

Signature Strata provides trusted and quality assured strata management services. The team’s combined expertise and experience spans more than 50 years. Signature Strata offers professional, practiced and knowledgeable services to various strata community sizes and classes including residential, commercial and mixed-use schemes. All strata management services are backed by local knowledge.

On Facebook, Sheryle Moon wrote, “Excellent experiences dealing with the Signature Strata folks.”

Grady Strata

Grady Strata and Facilities offers comprehensive strata, facilities and building management services for residential and mixed-use complexes. Its unique service model makes property management easy and convenient for executive committees and body corporate members. Grady’s one-stop service deals with issues as required 24-7. Locally owned, Grady’s team of experienced professional property managers strive to exceed expectations.

Graham Windsor wrote on Google, “Grady Strata recently took over our apartment building and the property has improved tremendously since … Highly recommended.”

LMM Solutions

LMM Solutions provides strata managements services that are proactive, attentive and in line with international ISO9001 Quality Management Standards. The qualified team keeps customers informed and guarantees consistent service and follow up.

Ann Menzies wrote on Google, “Three years ago and after considerable research, our complex decided to change to LMM … All members of LMM act quickly on issues and provide good advice … even resolving some matters our previous managers failed to address.”

If you’re looking for more information on the difference between a strata manager and a property manager, you might like our article on the best property managers in Canberra. Should you require assistance insuring your strata title be sure to visit our article on the best strata insurance brokers our city has to offer.

If you’re after more assistance with property in general, read through our articles on the best commercial real estate agents, the best real estate agents, best mortgage brokers and best conveyancing lawyers in Canberra.

Your experience with strata managers in Canberra

Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.

Have you had experience with any of the strata managers listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between strata managers and property managers?

Strata managers take care of multiple units in a “strata” or “unit title” complex. They do so on behalf of the owners of those units often working closely with an Owner’s Corporation or Executive Committee. Property managers handle individual, stand-alone properties on behalf of individual property owners.

What services do strata managers provide?

They provide a wide range of services, including handling legal and insurance compliance, building maintenance, common property matters and finances.

How do I choose a strata manager?

Do your research. Check out strata management company websites to see if they present professionally. Look for sound experience, expertise and qualifications. Interview a few strata managers and ask about the efficiency measures they have in place and ask them to describe how they are forward thinking and innovative. You can also check online reviews to see what others say.

Should our complex have a strata management agreement?

Definitely and the agreement should be detailed, clear and outline what your strata manager will do, how much their fees are and how they’ll be paid. The agreement should cover service levels, such as business operating hours and how the strata manager will handle out-of-hours emergencies. It should also specify if additional fees will be charged and, if so, for what. All owners should have a copy of the agreement.

Things fall through the cracks with our strata manager. How should we handle?

Review your management agreement and then talk and/or write to your strata management outlining all concerns and seeking a resolution for each. Don’t let things drag. If you continue to be unhappy, it could be time to change strata management companies.

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Svetlana Knobbs6:44 pm 26 Oct 24

I have had my fair share of experience with different strata firms, and unfortunately, First Choice Strata did not quite live up to the name for me. My dealings were often met with delays, inconsistent communication, and what felt like mixed messages. It has been a bit of a lesson in managing expectations, to say the least. Still, I hope others have better experiences — maybe my situation was just a fluke!

As a member of a brand new 2 lot plan, Civium were very happy to collect our funds over the 3 years we were with them(approx $24k) with nothing to show for it apart from extortionate insurances (20% kickback to Civium) and other fees and charges for services never used. No service, untrained junior inexperienced staff, no interest in fixing their quite seriously deficient resources and processes (5 Strata Managers in that time gave us a fair exposure to their culture). Regulation is what this part of the property industry desperately needs…and some of the staff at Civium acknowledge this. Be careful – go through your statements with great care. Ask questions and hold these folk to account. We now self manage – but it was very much a case of ‘here’s your hat – what’s your hurry’.

Elizabeth Thurbon1:44 pm 24 Feb 23

I believe the level of service is attached to the person you are allocated as your strata manager and/or building manager rather than the company. In NSW the Owners Corporation advises one contract for your building manager and one contract for your building manager. Each contract has a 90 day no reason get out clause. Each contract has goals and performance indicators. Anyone else agree or have experience with this? Also where do you go to find a full list of strata managers and building managers here in the ACT?

I am an EC member with over 7 years experience.
We had Vantage as our Strata Manager. Unfortunately we became just another number.
Shifted too Bridge Strata and can only say a breath of fresh air with the attention to detail and responsiveness. Best decision we’ve made in our 8 years.
Don’t believe the fancy advertising and awards (not really sure who votes but I’m sure it has something to do with “who you know” rather than “what you know”.
Big is not always better.

The owner of Signature Strata yelled at tenant who had an issue, then started bullying that tenant. Unbelievable! Never use Signature Strata they already provide poor service and also abuse people.

Do not recommend Civium and not clear how they got into this list. Very poor response to maintenance, opaque in the way they operate, do everything possible to avoid creating a sense of community in the building (so as, I assume, to avoid accountability), do not encourage owners to use their own portal, no value for money.

We are looking for a strata managers in Canberra. Can you recommend anyone?

I would NOT recommend Independent Strata Management. From all the past court cases I’ve been reading and also from my own experience I would say you can not depend on the strata managers and the strata management company. Its best to know the unit title management act 2011 like the back of your hand and also buy the “Guide to ACT strata law” by Kerin. Know your rights and do you best to make sure the strata managers and the executive committee isn’t doing anything that is going to get the entire owners corporation sue.

I’m trying to get quotes now.
We have been with the same body corporate manager, ACT Strata since the place was built late 2008.
We just got a new account manager, and they seem run off their feet. It’s hard to get them to respond via email, when you call them I am told they are always out, you leave a message for them to call you back and 9/10 times they don’t
You really have to nag them to get repairs done. I’d be better off spending that time directly getting quotes from repairers and doing it ourselves as the owners
Examples with ACT Strata Management, even after two years of noting we need some painting done, it’s been two years and still the repair hasn’t been done. The building is sound, we have a good admin surplus and sinking fund, so we need to be doing preventative maintenance. Act strata just take out money and don’t do much with it. Looking for a change. So are other owners I believe

Braedan Kidd9:45 am 25 May 18

I’ve dealt with a lot of Strata Managers through my Property Management company here in Canberra; I definitely rate Vantage up there at the top. The buildings feel better maintained and my calls and emails actually get returned (shock horror) when we need something.

Josh Mulrine12:46 pm 24 May 18

I just moved into my new unit on the Kingston Foreshore and Cathy the strata manager at Vantage Strata got me a trailer to use to move my furniture in. I was so impressed!

I don’t know who the best strata managers are, but definitely stay away from McNamees. They’ve had a stranglehold on the Canberra industry for far too long and long ago lost any desire/motivation to actually provide anything resembling good customer service or value for money. They are interested only in collecting levies, taking their cut and doing very little else.

Alex Nicolson12:30 pm 13 Jul 17

We are also using Civium Strata and are looking for a replacement. They have links to all the insurance companies and get a 20% kickback, do very little, charge a lot and even charge us for $528pa for bank fees. Managers change every six months.

My experience with Civium strata was extremely disappointing. Please choose somebody else.

Chippie said :

I currently have a unit managed by ACT Strata. In the four years since we’ve been using them we’ve had the one manager. ACT Strata have given us excellent service and managed to finalise work that the previous manager had failed to do over several years.

I had Independent managing another unit and we had three managers in 12 months so lots of time was wasted with repeated handovers. Financially everything was well done.

I’ve heard Capital Strata recently got taken to ACAT – apparently they can’t understand the Unit Titles Act and thought they could take over the role of the Executive Committee. Other friends who have them as manager said they promise exceptional service to get the job and then make excuses as to why they can’t deliver – even blaming the weather for not producing proper financial statements.

There’s also City Strata – haven’t heard much about them but worth a look.

Try to get references and ask questions such as how many complexes have left them and why. The Owners Corporation Network may also be able to assist as they have good knowledge about the various manager’s reputations.

We moved to Capital Strata, they promised us exceptional service alsol and we havent received that – avoid them !!

Do you have any detail on what your disappointing experience was with capital strata that you would be willing to share? We are caught up in a whole lot of nastiness with them and it would be good to demonstrate to the Tribunal that we are not an isolated incident. Access Canberra won’t do anything with the complaint.

It seems good service is linked to good individuals rather than the companies. I had terrible service for years from independent body corp and we finally sacked them. However it was a difficult decision because in the last few months a very good new staff member worked well for us. Unfortunately it was too little too late.

We had the same experience with Independent. The current, and just previous, managers are/were very good; the earlier ones not so much. As you say, it all comes down to the individual. We were thinking about changing, which is a real pain, but that pressure has now largely gone away.

I currently have a unit managed by ACT Strata. In the four years since we’ve been using them we’ve had the one manager. ACT Strata have given us excellent service and managed to finalise work that the previous manager had failed to do over several years.

I had Independent managing another unit and we had three managers in 12 months so lots of time was wasted with repeated handovers. Financially everything was well done.

I’ve heard Capital Strata recently got taken to ACAT – apparently they can’t understand the Unit Titles Act and thought they could take over the role of the Executive Committee. Other friends who have them as manager said they promise exceptional service to get the job and then make excuses as to why they can’t deliver – even blaming the weather for not producing proper financial statements.

There’s also City Strata – haven’t heard much about them but worth a look.

Try to get references and ask questions such as how many complexes have left them and why. The Owners Corporation Network may also be able to assist as they have good knowledge about the various manager’s reputations.

XO_VSOP said :

Doug omara leads the ray white team best in town.

Nope sorry VSOP I have to disagree – in my experience with the Strata side it is more the former than the latter with Ray White.

Our body corporate has found Stephen Maxwell from A.C.T. Strata Management Services to be excellent – although I’m not sure you can specify that you want him as your strata manager. Previous strata managers employed by this company assigned to us have been, respectively, excellent and woeful…

Doug omara leads the ray white team best in town.

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