CAI-NJ June 2021

Different Types of Services Approached Differently for Big/Small Communities — The Bare Minimum By Gabriel A. Valdes, Associa – Community Management Corporation, AAMC

W ithin the condominium association manage- ment industry, there is always one goal when it comes to servicing your client and providing the best management for the residents of the community – setting reasonable expectations. When it comes to services provided by management companies for smaller communities, the needs are substan-

more complex financial accounting protocols. With respect to large-scale communities, the amenities present within the community may require a lifestyle coordinator to provide event planning and coordinated activities for those com- munities. In addition, a full-time maintenance staff would require payroll services, health insurance services, and administration from the managing agent, as well as a full-time manager and assistant manager to service the association’s needs.

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tially different versus larger communities. For example, the number of hours per week the property manager may dedicate to the com- munity would range based on their current action list. Smaller communities that are in the develop- er transition phase would require more hours for the manager as inspections and document research would be needed to complete this

“Setting and meeting the expectations of a community... is paramount to the success of the managing agent.”

High-Rise buildings require a more expe- rienced manager concentrated in building mechanicals such as elevator equipment, cen- tralized heating and cooling systems, along with managing building staff. High-Rise build- ings that have collective bargaining agree- ments with local unions require additional pay-

task. In addition, generally with smaller communities, there is no on-site maintenance or support staff as the number of maintenance requests and general tasks are very minimal. Along with managerial aspects of the community, the preparation of monthly financials and budgets with small- er communities would require less amount of time and research due to the lesser complexity and smaller financial transactions than with larger communities. Professional ser- vices are generally billed on an hourly basis. Larger communities such as high-rise buildings and large- scale homeowner associations require more managerial experience, an office, and physical presence within the community, full-time maintenance and service staff, and

roll accounting services to contribute to retirement/health/ union payments due and legal expenses concentrated on unions during labor negotiations. An on-site management presence would be required as well depending on the size of the building and the building staff which requires a concierge/housekeeping/maintenance staff to oversee, train and provide support in continuing education for their duties. Setting and meeting the expectations of a community, whether large scale or smaller sized communities is para- mount to the success of the managing agent. Finding the “shoe that best fits” the community and its needs will lead to a fruitful relationship for the years to come. n

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