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A recent electrical fault in a self-managed apartment block highlighted delays in repairing the shared fire alarm system. While the OMC fixed the common-area issue after two weeks, a subsequent fault inside an individual unit was dismissed as non-responsibility, raising concerns about the reliability of the system and the efficacy of self-management versus professional oversight.
I live in a small self-managed apartment block with fewer than 30 units. The Owners' Management Company (OMC) has chosen not to outsource maintenance to a professional managing agent.
While this setup usually works fine, we recently encountered an issue with the fire alarm system that revealed some potential weaknesses in self-management. Last month, there was an electrical fault in the common areas that affected the shared fire alarm. The OMC took over two weeks to fix this initial issue, which seemed like a long delay for a critical safety feature.
Just a few days after that repair, the system showed a new fault, this time related to a component inside an individual apartment unit. The OMC stated that this second fault is not their responsibility because it originates inside a private unit rather than the common areas.
I disagree with this interpretation - the fire alarm system is a single, communal setup, and faults anywhere in it should be treated as a priority for the OMC to ensure the safety of all residents. The delay in addressing the first fault and the lack of urgency regarding the second suggest that perhaps the OMC is struggling to manage the complexity of the system or is prioritizing costs over safety.
I am concerned that without a professional agent, these critical maintenance issues might not be handled efficiently, potentially putting the entire building at risk
Fire Alarm Apartment Block Self-Managed Property Maintenance Electrical Fault Safety Risk Owners' Management Company Professional Managing Agent
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