Effective property management within strata requires a balance of preventative care and responsive support during claims. Engaging qualified experts to inspect, report and consult on buildings is an essential part of a Strata Managers role.
Whether upon handover of the building from a developer or at claims time, various building experts and consultants are often required due to the complex nature of strata property. The right advice can make all the difference in managing the risk, remediation work for claims or general property maintenance and management.
Why Engage Experts in Strata Property Management?
Strata properties have unique requirements due to shared ownership and common areas, which can make building upkeep and claims management complicated. Engaging experts—such as licensed building inspectors, engineers, and maintenance specialists—helps ensure that properties are well-cared for, compliant, and that issues are addressed before they escalate.
Some key areas where professional expertise is invaluable are:
Building Inspections and Dilapidation Reports: Building inspections by experienced professionals help identify early signs of deterioration or damage, allowing for proactive repairs and upkeep. Dilapidation reports provide essential documentation of a property’s condition, helping strata managers track any deterioration and allocate resources accordingly.
Building Valuations: An accurate building valuation delivered by a qualified professional ensures that the insurance coverage matches the actual rebuilding or repair costs for the strata building. It helps property owners avoid the risk of being underinsured in case of an unforeseen event.
Asset Registers and Maintenance Planning: Maintaining an up-to-date asset register is crucial for efficient property management. Specialists in asset management can help identify and catalogue major building components and services, ensuring timely maintenance and replacement schedules that prolong the life of shared assets.
Consulting and Claims Support: In the case of insurance claims, having expert assessments on hand—such as reports from building consultants or structural engineers—simplifies the claims process, provides clear documentation for insurers, and helps expedite repairs. Strata managers benefit from clear, factual assessments that support transparent, smooth claims processing.
Adhering to the ICA’s Expert Report Best Practice Standard
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) introduced the Expert Report Best Practice Standard, which sets guidelines to ensure that reports used in the claims process are clear, objective, and timely. This standard, developed in response to consumer needs for transparency and consistency, emphasizes that reports should:, which sets guidelines to ensure that reports used in the claims process are clear, objective, and timely. This standard, developed in response to consumer needs for transparency and consistency, emphasizes that reports should:
Use Accessible Language: Ensure reports are written in plain language, reducing jargon for easy understanding by property owners and managers.
Prioritise Objectivity and Accuracy: Maintain a neutral and factual perspective to present a fair and unbiased report.
Deliver Timely Results: Facilitate prompt processing by providing reports without unnecessary delays, helping keep claims on track.
Acknowledge Customer Vulnerabilities: Respect the unique situations of policyholders, especially in stressful circumstances like major damage claims.
CHU, Australia’s leading strata insurance specialist offers a range of strata support services including building inspection services and building consulting to ensure positive outcomes for strata property owners.
CHU Consult for Expert Building Consultancy:
The CHU Consult team brings a wealth of expertise in building assessments, defect analysis, and project management. With a focus on delivering detailed, factual reports, CHU Consult supports strata property managers with essential insights to tackle maintenance, manage claims, and enhance property value.
CHU Inspect’s Advanced Building Inspection Services:
Utilising the latest in AI-driven visual assessment technology, CHU Inspect offers virtual walkthroughs, precise digital floor plans, and 360-degree building documentation. This approach not only enhances transparency and communication across stakeholders but also provides a comprehensive history of inspections and completed repairs. Key benefits of this service includes:
Virtual Collaboration: Hosting remote walkthroughs for effective communication with suppliers and other stakeholders.
Reduced Physical Inspections: Leveraging technology to minimise safety risks associated with physical inspections.
Enhanced Response During Major Events: Swiftly documenting damage during events like floods or fires, enabling faster repairs and claims processing.
Building Confidence through Transparent Claims Management
CHU is committed to making the claims process smooth and transparent for strata managers and property owners. With the integration of real-time tools such as ClaimsView, property managers and owners can stay informed throughout the claim lifecycle, reducing uncertainty and supporting better decision-making.
Why Expertise Matters in Every Aspect of Strata Property Management
From preventative inspections to claim-supporting documentation, expert involvement ensures that strata properties are cared for with professionalism and precision. By adhering to best practices and engaging knowledgeable professionals, strata managers and owners can have confidence in the future of the strata property and safety for the strata community.
To learn more about CHU’s specialist services and how they can support your strata management needs, contact the CHU team today.
This article was brought to you by CHU Underwriting Agencies
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