ACCREDITATION
SCHEME FOR MANAGING AGENTS
Purpose
of Scheme
Strata
titled management has become a distinct and established practice in
Singapore. Having
accumulated more than two decades of experience in this field of practice,
there is now an urgent need to consider issues of control and regulation
of those who serve as managing agents.
The purpose is to enhance the quality and service of performance.
This is crucial in the light of the recent spate of media reports
on the management of strata titled developments.
The
Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) as well as the
Association of Property and Facility Managers (APFM) have in the past
campaigned for the accreditation of managing agents.
Owners and occupants are presently more concerned with and
knowledgeable about their property and the living and working
environments. The building
services and physical structures of newer developments are becoming more
sophisticated and complex. Property
managers therefore need to be competent and proficient in their work and
equipped with the necessary knowledge and skill sets.
An accreditation scheme established for managing agents offering
services in strata titled management hopes to satisfy these challenges.
Benefits
of Accreditation
The
community in general would be able to benefit from the quality check
provided by the system of accreditation.
All accredited MAs are required to adhere to the code of conduct of
SISV or APFM and adhere to any code of practice or standards as
prescribed. Disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the
respective institute’s disciplinary rules.
Accredited
firms will identify themselves using the credentials “SISV/APFM
Accredited Managing Agents”. The
“SISV/APFM Accreditation” will be promoted as a brand name as having
achieved certain professional standards of property management.
Strata titled developments and condominiums which seek the services
of SISV/APFM accredited MAs will be assured of competent services of a
reasonable standard.
The
proposed accreditation would also bring about closer consultation among
the practitioners, the relevant authorities and the property owners.
Another
benefit for strata titled developments employing the services of
accredited firms is that they can avail themselves of mediation and other
dispute resolution services at the SISV Mediation Centre.
The purpose of this service is to assist owners and occupants to
resolve disputes arising from the
management.
Accreditation
Requirements
Accreditation
is granted to firms whose key decision-making management staff are
qualified professionals as well as members of the SISV or APFM.
Firms whose directors or management are not SISV or APFM members
may also apply for accreditation on a case by case basis.
There
are two categories of accreditation, Category A and Category B in order of
the complexity of the strata titled developments:
A)
Large commercial properties ie industrial, office, shop or mixed
developments with predominantly commercial content and
community/institutional buildings, and large-scale residential property
developments ie those with more than 150 units.
B)
Small-scaled residential and commercial property developments ie
those with 150 and fewer units.
Firms
accredited with A accreditation will be allowed to manage those in B
category. However, those
firms with a B accreditation will not be allowed to offer services in the
A category until they are upgraded to this higher category.
Both
categories of accreditation require the firms to have qualified staff
trained in recognised estate or building management courses, and have
sufficient years of experience in property management, and to
satisfactorily pass an interview which tests knowledge in strata titled
management and related topics.
Assessment
Panel
An
Assessment Panel will be formed to assess the applications of qualified
firms for appointment as accredited MAs by examining the documents
submitted and conducting interviews. An accredited firm which falls short
of the accreditation standards will have its accreditation status
withdrawn until the deficiencies have been rectified.
The
Assessment Panel comprise representations from professional bodies and
senior members of SISV and APFM. The
decision of the Assessment Panel will be final.
Enforcement
and Dispute Resolution
A
Disciplinary Board will be constituted as and when necessary.
The main function is to hear complaints about accredited MAs.
The decision of the Disciplinary Board shall be final.
Mediation will be conducted to resolve any disputes arising from
the Scheme before formal hearing of the complaints take place.
Implementation
The
SISV/APFM Accreditation Scheme was introduced on 3 Dec 2003.
Applicants may apply at any time for accreditation in the
prescribed form. Accreditation is for a period of three years.
Further
information
Please
contact the following:
Janet Han (SISV)
Tel: 6222-3030
Fax: 6225-2453
email: janet@sisv.org.sg