Keeping KLCC Condo Owners Happy
You might have heard about certain MC or JMB committees and their property managers that seem to believe in the dictum “ The less you tell owners what is happening in their condominiums, the better for everyone”. So they seem content to see owners just once a year at AGMs. The rest of the year, they provide the bare minimum of information on properties under their charge. The thinking is “it’s too hard” or “it will cost a lot of money to put out regular updates”. But keeping KLCC condominium owners happy is actually easy. And it costs a lot less money than you might think.
As a non resident owner of Kirana Residence, a high end condominium at 7 Jalan Pinang, just 100m away from KLCC Park and the epicenter of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, I want to know what is happening at my investment property when I’m not around. In short, I want to see quarterly updates by the property management team of what they are doing to maintain the value of my investment. And if there are new faces in the MC or JMB Committee, I'll like also to have a nice photo and some info that tells me something about the new committee members backgrounds - see sample Chairman’s and Treasurer’s messages below. Not to difficult to do these days when almost every professional or business person has a LinkedIn profile.
And in these days where the cost of a Squarespace website like 360KiranaResidence.com starts from as low as RM600, any MC or JMB committee can afford to roll out their own website, and do regular quarterly updates or even weekly updates if the Building Manager is up for it.
So if the property management team at your high end KLCC condominium does not have a website, or provide regular timely maintenance updates to owners, why not take them and your JMB/MC committee to task at YOUR next AGM. And if you're not satisfied with their answers at the AGM, just VOTE THEM OUT. There is no shortage of qualified property management companies registered with BOVEA that will be eager to do their job. You can also contact MIPFM.org.my at secretariat@MIPFM.org.my for a list of qualified property management companies that are registered with BOVEA.
What if you also own a $$$ KLCC condo unit but are “too busy” to keep up with what’s happening at your investment property. Maybe you are the non confrontational “live and let live” type. You don’t feel quite comfortable asking the treasurer about why expenses for xxx have jumped 322% at AGMs. Well, I am OK with your decision. If that’s what you REALLY want. I respect your right to be part of the Silent Majority Club of High End KLCC Condominium Owners.
As for yours truly, I think The Strata Management Act 2013 gives me the right to ask the property manager plus JMB/MC committee pertinent questions about the finances and the quality of maintenance of my major asset. I regularly exercise my right to attend AGMs and ask tough questions. Just like I will query my mechanic if he says my car needs “urgent repairs that cost $$$$”. I don’t JUST write my mechanic a blank cheque.
So here are some of my humble ideas addressed primarily to property managers about how to keep all condo owners ( not just high end condo owners) and residents happy. Of course, they are really NOT MY OWN IDEAS. I wish to acknowledge the many unsung heroes amongst the MC /JMB chairmen, treasurers and fellow colleagues I have had the fine privilege of serving alongside for “stealing” their valuable ideas to apply to my own condominium.
I am also indebted to a few forward looking property managers that have earned my respect for their professionalism.
Picture credits: Kirana Residence newsletters
Disclosure: RC served as a member of the Kirana Management Corporation committee from 2010-2012, a period that is documented in the KIRANAnews quarterly newsletter issued quarterly from 4Q 2010, then biannually from 1H 2012. RC is also a former member of the D’Mayang and Downtown JMB committees, and a former member of the Menara Avenue MC committee. RC was an unofficial IE unelected advisor to the Villa Puteri MC chairman for a few months.
Sample MC Chairman message & biography
Cutting electricity costs - Tangible Results Achieved !
Lobby Refurbished in 2011
Ground floor & 2F facilities deck upgrades 2011-2012
2F Management Office upgrading 2011-2012
Sample Treasurer’s message & biography
Routine maintenance - Water quality checks
Routine maintenance - cleaning & lift testing by JKKP
Proposed capital expenditure
Rebranding Kondominium Kirana to Kirana Residence, Facade Repainting
