Could Owners in strata buildings survive the introduction of the code of ethics for Owners?
Yes, absolutely.
When dealing with people‘s homes, they act in extreme and unexpected ways. You could even say irrational as some of the smartest people make careless and rash decisions.
Often the people on the receiving end of this extreme behaviour is the strata manager, building manager, contractors and cleaners. It is essential to understand these extreme owners make up probably 1% of strata owners but create a large number of issues, stress and problems.
So how do you deal with this extreme niche in the market? I recommend that all strata managers adopt a code of ethics for Owners they work with, they can customise their own, but it becomes the norm. Buildings want to have professional managers; they have to treat them this way.
But what do you do when someone breaches the code?
Easy, document and keep it transparent.
When someone breaches the code keep the details on a register, advise that the owner is in breach, and have this register included in every committee meeting and every general meeting for the year. Misbehaving owners should be willing to say what they say to everyone.
And if the breaches of the code continue implement a no correspondence policy. Make this owner only correspond via email to a specific email address which is just reviewed and replied too at Strata Committee meetings.
This may sound dramatic, but it is essential to prepare your strategy for confusing people and situations before the problem arise.