Is it reasonable to pay a termination fee when the strata manager refuses to communicate in a meaningful way? – Susan, NSW

Q: The Strata Manager of my mother’s complex seems to have taken a disliking to the Committee members and thus refuses to communicate except via email with a very argumentative tone. She will not answer or return phone calls.

The committee thus feels that it needs to terminate the strata management contract.

Is it reasonable to pay a termination fee when the strata manager refuses to communicate in a meaningful way?

 

A: Whether or not it’s reasonable to pay the termination fee will be up to your strata committee to decide.

Having an effective strata manager for your strata property, however, can make all the difference and communication is a key part of this. If you feel like your strata committee is not getting the service it requires then it may be time to change either your strata manager or strata management company.

For more information on changing strata manager and a checklist of what to be aware of before you do so, click here to read our article on how a strata manager can help your strata committee.