CERTIFICATE IN STRATA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (FOR ACCREDITATION AS MANAGING AGENT INDIVIDUAL)
1. Course Background
Strata-titled properties give individuals ownership of units (termed a strata lot/unit) in a multi-unit development and shared ownership of common areas in the development (such as car parks, swimming pools, club house etc in condominiums). The Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA) provides the framework for the envisaged collaborative and cooperative self governance of the shared common areas by Subsidiary Proprietors (SPs) or Individual Owners, via a Management Corporation (MC) / MCST.
The growth in strata developments has fueled the growth of Managing Agents (MAs) who are appointed to manage the common areas by MCs. Strata management is a specialist area of property management; it is more complex and demanding particularly in mixed use developments where there is likely to be greater differences in the vested interest of SPs.
The Building & Construction Authority, Building Management Department (BCA) has been instrumental in attempts to raise the service levels of MA firms and individuals. It invited two industry associations to propose a scheme to manage and administer the accreditation of MA firms and individuals and training in connection. BCA subsequently recognized the accreditation scheme of two industry associations through an MOU signed in February 2020 (https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/accreditation-schemes-for-managing-agents)
The Certificate in Strata Property Management has been designed to meet the competency requirements of an MA individual specified by BCA with the enhanced technical competencies required to manage the preventive and corrective maintenance work in new and ageing developments. It will form one of two parts of BCA’s specified training for accreditation as an MA individual (the other part being the ‘Legislation Course for Managing Agents’ conducted by the BCA Academy).
MA individuals with a minimum of two years relevant full-time work experience in strata property management who pass both parts of the training can apply to be an Accredited MA individual by the Association of Strata Managers (ASM), who will list their names on its website. To remain accredited, MA Individuals must adhere to and maintain ASM’s code of conduct and ethics and attend a minimum eight (8) hours of continuing professional development (CPD) training a year.
2. Course Objectives
The Certificate in Strata Property Management addresses one of the key initiatives spelt out in the Real Estate ITM launched on 8 February 2018, viz. ‘Build up local FM talent and raise professionalism and attractiveness of FM industry’. It fills the current gap in the provision of a certifiable training course for the strata property management in-employed to level up service standards and a training avenue for those seeking to join the industry which currently faces manpower shortages.
The course will provide Legislative-Technical-Administrative knowledge and skills training interweaved with social skills training for operational level management of strata-titled properties. Learning outcomes will comprise in the main of knowledge and skills to apply defined/established techniques, methods, operations and routines.
3. Course Structure
The course comprises three modules as shown below:
M1: Application of Building Maintenance & Strata Management Act
- Introduction to Strata Management
- Share Value
- Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders (Developers, Management Corporations, Management Council & Council Members, Subsidiary Proprietors, Managing Agents)
- Role of the Commissioner of Buildings
- By-Laws and Lodgement of By-Laws
- Management Fund & Sinking Fund
- Conduct & Proceedings of General Meetings.
- Conduct & Proceedings of Council Meetings
- Insurances for MCSTs
- Two-tier Management Corporation
- Strata- Titles Board
M2: Building Services & Maintenance
- Building Structure, Systems & Maintenance
- Cleaning & Waste Management
- Security Services & Systems
- Landscape & Maintenance Services
- Pest Control Services
- Water, Sanitary & Plumbing Systems
- Fire Protection Systems
- Electrical Systems
- Air-con & Mechanical Ventilation (ACMV) Systems
- Swimming Pool Maintenance Systems
- Lift & Escalator Maintenance
- Common Defects in Buildings & Repair Methods
- Safety of Exterior Features
M3: Communication & Office Administration
- Communications in Strata Property Administration
- Handling Feedback & Effective Communication Skills
- Mediation & Dispute Resolution Techniques
- Strata Management Office Set-up & Administration
- Financial Routine Duties
- Tendering & Contracts Management
4. Course Duration
50 hours (excluding exams)
5. Mode of Delivery, Assessment & Certification
The mode of delivery will comprise lectures delivered either face to face or by live streaming. Course facilitators will be on-hand to conduct lessons and answer questions from learners in an interactive manner.
Assessment will be in the form of examinations. There will be two examinations in total, one combining the content of Module 1 BMSMA and Module 2 and 3. Each examination will comprise short ‘fill in the blanks’ questions and longer problem-based essay questions testing the practical application of the knowledge imparted.
The total number of marks for each exam is 100; participants must achieve a mark of 50 to pass. The Certificate in Strata Property Management will be issued upon completion and passing of both examinations of the course.
6. Entry Requirements Applicants are expected to have:
GCE ‘O’ or ‘N’ Level with credits in English and Mathematics or equivalent and
Basic IT proficiency in the use of MS Office software.
7. Course Fees & Funding Support $1,900 nett (excludes GST).
Course fee funding is available; see details below:
i) Please refer to this website for more details on the course:
Certificate in Strata Property Management
To register for the course, you will need to register directly with the training provider (Singapore Polytechnic, Pace Academy) click here to register.
Course dates for the next intake:
ii) SkillsFuture Credit:
All Singaporeans aged 25 and above can use their $500 SkillsFuture Credit to offset the unfunded portion of the course fees.
You may refer here for SSG Course-Fee Funding