Management Council vs Town Council- Who regulates/oversees/audits them?

[TABee]

Hi

In the recent saga on the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council, the opposition party is taken to task for governance, audit, arms length transactions and as a result, laws are being re-looked to give move clout to statutory boards to take offenders to task.

What about Management Councils (run by 'volunteers' who may have vested selfish reasons)? Who takes them to task? STB?

[teddybear]

Yes, for Management Council issues, you take them to STB......
STB can hear your case at about $500 application fee, much cheaper than going to court, and won't take up precious time of Court's judges when somebody else can do the job more cheaply and yet still professionally.

However, what is even more pertinent is that for Managing Agent issues, there is no clear laws to bind their conducts and to take them to task......

For Estate Agents, govt set up CEA to regulate them.

So it is time govt set up CMA, i.e. Council of Managing Agents to license Managing Agents and their estate managers individually and have a clear list of rules and conducts spent out like CEA regarding conflicts of interests etc.......
By doing so, it becomes the job and responsibilities of the MA and their EM to report doings of vested selfish reasons by MC members to Police, with the law forcing them to serve as a 2nd line of check against MC. As of now, MA and their EM either close their eyes about wrong doings of MC in order to secure "business"/award to continue to run the estates, some MA and their EM even collude with MC to cream money from the MCST to line their own pockets!
This is why without CMA, all those issues with MC that you met will never easily get resolved.


Hi

In the recent saga on the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council, the opposition party is taken to task for governance, audit, arms length transactions and as a result, laws are being re-looked to give move clout to statutory boards to take offenders to task.

What about Management Councils (run by 'volunteers' who may have vested selfish reasons)? Who takes them to task? STB?

[TABee]

Is anyone able to share the process of filing with STB and on what matters?

[TABee]

Hi TeddyBear

Even filing with STB needs a lawyer to facilitate and give more credibility to the filing. If you take a look at the application/filing form, not all matters are under STB either. It may not be cheaper depending on the lawyer's fees.



Yes, for Management Council issues, you take them to STB......
STB can hear your case at about $500 application fee, much cheaper than going to court, and won't take up precious time of Court's judges when somebody else can do the job more cheaply and yet still professionally.

However, what is even more pertinent is that for Managing Agent issues, there is no clear laws to bind their conducts and to take them to task......

For Estate Agents, govt set up CEA to regulate them.

So it is time govt set up CMA, i.e. Council of Managing Agents to license Managing Agents and their estate managers individually and have a clear list of rules and conducts spent out like CEA regarding conflicts of interests etc.......
By doing so, it becomes the job and responsibilities of the MA and their EM to report doings of vested selfish reasons by MC members to Police, with the law forcing them to serve as a 2nd line of check against MC. As of now, MA and their EM either close their eyes about wrong doings of MC in order to secure "business"/award to continue to run the estates, some MA and their EM even collude with MC to cream money from the MCST to line their own pockets!
This is why without CMA, all those issues with MC that you met will never easily get resolved.

[TABee]

Body needed to govern managing agents

ST Published on Oct 1, 2013 1:09 AM


POOR-QUALITY work and defects at newly completed condominiums are not recent phenomena ("Leaky pipes, flooding and blackouts..."; Sept 20).

While developers and their contractors will rectify defects brought to their attention within one year, defects in common areas are not effectively and actively identified during this period.

Owners rely on the managing agent to identify such defects, particularly in the first year after obtaining the Temporary Occupation Permit.

These managing agents, however, are appointed by the developers, and some have a relationship with them. Hence, there is a potential conflict of interest.

An independent licensing and accredited body governing the professional standards of managing agents and condo managers will go a long way towards clarifying their roles during this period, so they work in the interest of the management corporation strata title (MCST) rather than their shareholders or developers.

The authorities should take a more proactive approach to address the increasing angst between private condo owners and the developers and contractors, by "forcing" a better standard of estate management and ensuring the MCST's long-term interests are upheld at all times.

- Ong Tee Jin


When will BCA come up with improved legislation, monitoring and enforcement?

[teddybear]

Filing with STB need not be by lawyer, however without lawyer you need to understand BMSMA laws thoroughly because only what is spelled out in BMSMA can be heard by STB. Those not spelled out in BMSMA, STB will not hear. It is your responsibility to make sure your case can be heard by STB.

So at the end of the day, without lawyer, it may be difficult to win the case even if you bring the case to STB, in addition to the evidence you have.

Finally, all these back to square one that is most necessary BUT never get done: A council to license and regulate the professional conduct of Managing Agents and their Estate Managers (and these are not clearly spelled and covered in BMSMA)!

There do not seem to be willingness on govt part to do anything about MAs! Is MND is sleeping or what?????



Hi TeddyBear

Even filing with STB needs a lawyer to facilitate and give more credibility to the filing. If you take a look at the application/filing form, not all matters are under STB either. It may not be cheaper depending on the lawyer's fees.