Strata Management Needs a Reset
A couple of weeks ago, I sat across from a colleague in the strata industry. We were discussing a building clearly dissatisfied with their current strata manager, someone who worked for him. The service was subpar, communication was worse, and the committee wanted out. No common ground could be found.
His response?
“They’re going nowhere unless we get paid in full.”
He laughed. I didn’t.
That moment didn’t just frustrate me; it lit a fire. It made me realise that owners corporations deserve a clear, confident way to exit agreements that no longer serve them. Poor service shouldn’t be protected by paperwork. And contracts shouldn’t be used as handcuffs.
So, we built a solution.
(One our accountant may not have loved as much as I did!)
We See Through Your BS – And So Do Your Owners
There’s a pattern many committees know all too well: the last three months and the first three months of a three-year agreement suddenly become a masterclass in “customer care.” Touchpoints increase. Emails get answered. Managers show up.
But it’s not care. It’s choreography.
It’s a tactic used by some (not all) corporate strata firms – overloaded, under-engaged, and driven by volume over value. They lift their game just enough to keep the contract alive. Not because they’re committed to your building, but because they’re committed to their bottom line.
And here’s the truth: many talented strata managers are stuck in this system. I genuinely feel for my colleagues, especially those in corporate strata, who are brilliant at what they do but are buried under unrealistic workloads and stripped of the time and space to do the job they signed up for.
Why? Because the decisions are being made by people who’ve never chaired a strata meeting, never managed a portfolio, and never sat across from a frustrated committee. Their lens is fixed on shareholder returns, not community outcomes. And that disconnect is costing buildings real care, real service, and real leadership. Focus primarily on the client and community outcomes, and everything else will fall into place. It is not rocket science!
💥 Enter: The NO BS Exit Plan
This isn’t just an offer. It’s a commitment to fairness, transparency, and shared accountability.
✅ We’ll cover 50% of your exit fee (up to $5,000)
✅ That amount is credited against your first-year management fee with us
✅ You pay your current manager directly – we credit you on our side
✅ We handle the transition with respect, clarity, and zero drama
If your current manager no longer serves your building, you deserve a clean, confident way out. The NO BS Exit Plan is how we help you take it.
Because poor service shouldn’t cost you more. And contracts shouldn’t trap you.
Some of my colleagues may love this.
Some may not.
I’m not particularly fussed either way.
I’m doing this to help the minority of owners corporations in my regions exit situations they should never be trapped in, especially when there’s a clear-cut case that the strata managing agent has failed in their duty and obligations under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and the Property and Stock Agents Act 2002.
Managing agents are entrusted with responsibilities like convening meetings, maintaining records, issuing levy notices, and ensuring compliance with by-laws. When those duties aren’t met, and the service is subpar, owners corporations deserve a fair, transparent way out. Not handcuffs disguised as contracts.
Our Ethical Position
At Bettr Strata, we want no part in blindsiding managing agents. We encourage open and respectful dialogue between owners corporations and their current managers to resolve issues wherever possible.
The NO BS Exit Plan is not a shortcut or a surprise. It’s a last resort, designed for situations where resolution cannot be found despite genuine efforts.
We believe in fairness, transparency, and doing things the right way.
Why We’re Doing This
Because we believe in real strata relationships, not pressure, not punishment, and definitely not agency agreements that work against you when you’re not getting the service you deserve.
We’ve sat across from committees who feel stuck. You want better service. You want someone who shows up, listens, and genuinely cares about your building. But the contract says otherwise. The exit fees say, “stay put.” And the managing agent? They’ve already checked out, or worse, they laugh off your frustration.
That moment doesn’t shock us anymore. It’s far too common.
We’ve seen agency agreements designed to protect poor service, not promote good outcomes. Managers who hide behind fine print and manage your scheme from a distance.
That’s not a strata relationship. That’s abandonment.
At Bettr Strata, We’re Here to Change That
We’ve built our agreements to reflect mutual respect, shared accountability, and trust. If we’re not delivering, you have a fair and simple way out.
No drama. No punishment. Just a commitment to doing right by your building, and standing beside you, not above you.
Because when you choose Bettr, you’re not just choosing a manager.
You’re choosing a partner who backs you – every step of the way.
Let’s Talk
If your committee is ready for a fresh start, we’d rather speak with you one-on-one. No forms. No BS. Just a real conversation.
Reach out to us directly, and we’ll walk you through the NO BS Exit Plan, answer your questions, and help you decide if Bettr Strata is the right fit.
Let’s rethink strata – together.
Yours in strata,
JM
Disclaimer: We strongly recommend seeking independent legal advice before exiting any contract. The NO BS Exit Plan is here to guide your thinking, not replace legal counsel.