http://www.straitstimes.com/archive/...-soon-20140411

Mandatory training for condo managing agents likely soon

Published on Apr 11, 2014

By Melissa Tan


MANAGING agents for condominiums may soon be required to undergo training in a move to raise standards in the strata management industry.

"We are considering introducing a training requirement for all managing agents," a senior Building and Construction Authority (BCA) official said yesterday.

Mr Chin Chi Leong, the commissioner of buildings, told a conference that mandatory training would be "one of the most effective ways" to improve professionalism.

For instance, managing agents need to have "good working knowledge" of the rules and requirements for strata-titled properties. They should also be able to provide simple technical advice on building maintenance to the property's management corporation strata title (MCST) council.

"Most management corporation council members are lay persons and rely heavily on their appointed managing agents to help them self-manage their estate," added Mr Chin, who was speaking at an inaugural conference on strata management held by the Association of Property and Facility Managers, an industry body for managing agents.

The number of active MCST councils islandwide has grown from about 2,700 in 2009 to slightly more than 3,000 last year, he noted, adding that over 60 per cent of those councils engage a managing agent to help them run their estate.

The association's president, Professor Lim Lan Yuan, told the conference at York Hotel that it would launch a certified training programme on strata management and management corporations.

Entrants will have to study topics such as strata law, property maintenance and conflict management.

"There is a need for more competent and knowledgeable property and facility managers who are familiar with the legal, management, financial and technical aspects of strata developments," he said.

"Property and facility managers will do well by helping to resolve... disputes without resorting to litigation," he added.

Mr Alfonso Ang, deputy president of the Strata Titles Board, said home owners embroiled in a dispute should seek mediation first and only go to the board for adjudication as a "last resort".

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