OMC communications and best tips

[Whiteglass_ale]

First, how do your management companies normally communicate with property owners? Do you issue notices, updates, and important information on the managing agent’s headed paper, or do you keep communications on the OMC’s own letterhead to make it clear it’s coming from the company itself?

Second, for those of you who are directors of an OMC, what practices have you found most effective? Are there things you started doing that made a big difference for transparency, engagement, or accountability? I’m especially keen to hear about small, practical steps that worked well.

The reason I ask is because I now find myself in a situation where two of my fellow directors signed a contract with a managing agent without any wider consultation, and I’m not happy with how things are being run. So I am wanting to get the managing agent to work. Im aware there is a piece on how to get involved with the OMC (the sticky thread) but id love to hear advice on things people have done that they wished they started doing sooner. One we have done is allow the managing agent to only have view rights to bank accounts now. As I think things were being paid without any question.

 

[ClubMan]

My management company uses Falcondale as their management agency and most updates are posted via their MyBlockMan platform, owners are notified by email and can log into their account to see them. Some notifications are also sent by post (maybe a regulatory requirement?) such as notices of general meetings and annual statements/invoices.

Falcondale | Property Management Services | Block Management

Falcondale Properties Ltd offer expert block management services and property services for residential and commercial sales & lettings

falcondale.com

MyBlockman

falcondale.myblockman.ie

 

[Whiteglass_ale]

MyBlockMan platform

Do you find this works? Our managing agent uses this, but not to the full advantage. And I dont think the majority are signed up to it in the development.

 

[messyleo]

My own property and two relatives also use MyBlockman - seems very common
I find it great - cuts down on waste paper and more timely (e.g. storm alert advice)
Not sure the cost but I imagine it's cheaper than postage and admin time

 

[Persia]

My blockman seems to be the default for a lot of management co.
A bit clunky/soviet in design but does what its supposed to reliably and without drama.

 

[ClubMan]

Do you find this works?

Yes. But there's not a whole lot in the way of communications most of the time. Mostly notices of general meetings, annual reports, annual budget, payments of same, and the occasional housekeeping issue. In case it matters it's an estate of c. 140 terraced townhouses near Dublin city centre which is privately managed but not gated.

 

[tnegun]

We use Myblockman along with the occasional leaflet drop and include some correspondence with the notices that have to be posted. We keep those to a minimum as there are over 500 units so postage adds up quickly! There's only about 50% signed up to Blockman, though but we find that the other 50% don't engage beyond most paying the fee. We're lucky to get 30 at the AGMs.

 

[Persia]

Yes. But there's not a whole lot in the way of communications most of the time. Mostly notices of general meetings, annual reports, annual budget, payments of same,

Not sure what else would/should be communicated via such an app. What you've mentioned ticks all the boxes for me.

If it started communicating to me like a WhatsApp group, I'd probably delete it.

I've attended enough AGMs to realise that a small cohort of members are (to put it mildly) as thick as mince.

Attending these meetings can be tedious, the meeting are distracted by aforementioned grand displays of stupidity.

Why am I payin for roof repairs, I'm on the ground floor?

"why am I paying for lift repairs, I'm on d ground floor"

why can't I have an inflatable swimming pool on the roof for d kids, its roastin.

Why can't I have a German Sheperd in my studio flat"

I'll be getting on to Joe Duffy about yisserall making me pay management fees when we are in a cost of livin crisis!!!!!

The thoughts of that landing in my inbox every day would be a bit much for me at any rate....maybe I'm missing the point though?

 

[ClubMan]

maybe I'm missing the point though?

Sounds like it...

Not sure what else would/should be communicated via such an app.

Other stuff related to the management of the estate.

The thoughts of that landing in my inbox every day would be a bit much for me at any rate....

MyBlockMan allows the management company/agency to communicate with members. Members can also communicate with the company/agency. Members can't communicate with other members.

 

[Persia]

Members can't communicate with other members.

Just as well in my experience