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Many people have asked questions relating to the criteria involved in the field of property management. I would like to share some of these with you, and provide the answers in the hope they will give clarity to this important aspect of the real estate industry.

What is the objective of property management?

The objective of this service is to manage and maintain the real estate portfolio of a client so as to achieve an optimum level of investment through:

* Maximising the income to its optimum level;

* Minimising costs to a reasonable level; and

* Providing an efficient safe and clean working environment.

What are the expectations of a professional property management company?

A good and professional property management services company will always attempt to provide its clients quality service and satisfaction through:

* Complete understanding of the client's needs and aspiration;

* Working in close consultation with the client

* Providing property management services with full dedication, integrity and professionalism;

* Continuous investment in human resources and technology; and

* Maintaining and adapting systems to ensure the highest quality control and professional standards.

What are the main criteria in the management of condominiums and apartments?

The Main criteria expected by all owners and residents are:

Water Supply: There must be no disruption of water supply to the condominiums and apartments, unless it is due to water rationing. Hence, preventive maintenance is very important to ensure that the pumps, motors, valves, filters, tanks, pipes and electrical switchboard are always working efficiently.

* Lifts and Electricity Supply: There must be minimal breakdowns of lifts and disruption of electricity supply. Again, a consistent and effective preventive maintenance programme is very important to ensure that an the components of the lift system the standby generator set and the electrical installations are always in good working condition.

* Security: There must be a good and effective security system in the management of condominiums and apartments to provide a safe environment for all the residents and visitors. In addition, security surveys need to be conducted regularly to identify any new security risks or weaknesses in the system. Measures must be taken to ensure such security breaches if any, are immediately rectified.

Cleanliness: The aspect of cleanliness is a very important aspect in communal living. Therefore, a thorough and detailed scope of work for routine cleaning and waste disposal must be diligently carried out with proper supervision and monitoring.

* Car-parking: The implementation and enforcement of a good car-parking system for both residents and visitors win certainly be much appreciated by condominium and apartment residents. A good car parking system comprises vehicle stickers, temporary vehicle parking permits, distinct designation of parking bays, ample signage effective enforcement.

What are the main criteria in the management of office buildings?

The main criteria in the management of office buildings are:

* Air-conditioning: There must be no disruption of air-conditioning to an office building, unless it is due to power failure. Hence, preventive maintenance is very important to ensure that the components of the air-conditioning system are always in good working condition.

* Electricity and Water Supply: There must be no disruption of electricity and water supply to the office building, unless it is due to power failure or water rationing as the ease may be. A down-time in electricity supply will cause major disruption of office work, thus entailing high costs and losses suffered by the office occupiers. A disruption in water supply is also adverse as it may affect the air conditioning system and the cleanliness of the office building.

Hence, preventive maintenance is very important to ensure that the electrical installations, electrical switch board, pumps, motors, valves, filters, tanks, pipes and are always working efficiently.

* Lifts: There must be minimal breakdowns of lifts. A consistent and effective preventive maintenance programme is very important to ensure that all the components of the lift system and the standby generator set are always in good
working condition.

* Security: As with the case of condominiums and apartments, all office buildings must have a good and effective security system to provide a safe environment for all the office occupiers and visitors. In addition, security surveys need to be conducted regularly to identify any new security risks or weaknesses in the system.

Measures must be taken to ensure such security breaches, if any, are immediately rectified.

* Cleanliness: A clean environment will help to project the corporate image of the office building and its occupiers. Similarly, a thorough and detailed scope of work for routine cleaning and waste disposal must be diligently carried out with proper supervision and monitoring.

* Car-parking: Car-parking bays in office buildings are generally insufficient and have to be properly managed for the convenience of the occupants.

A good car-parking system comprises car stickers, an access card system, parking attendants, distinct designation of parking bays, ample signages and effective enforcement.

Wong Kok Soo is a member of the Institute of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM) and the executive director of YBR Management Services Sdn Bhd.