Somerville Strata Management

always no one answer phone，didn't settle problem ASAP. statement are wrong amount which did not includ paid

Somerville Strata Management, powered by PICA Group, is an absolute disgrace to the industry. This company is the epitome of everything that is wrong with strata management in Australia. Inefficient, greedy, unresponsive, and shamelessly exploitative. I own a townhouse under their so-called “management” and have a substantial portfolio of… Read more

investment properties. As part of refinancing, I needed a simple document: the Building Insurance Certificate of Currency. Every other strata company provided this free of charge, same day, no fuss, because that’s how basic customer service works.

But not Somerville Strata. No, they demand $35 for a document that is already paid for by the owners, and then make you wait several business days to receive it. Let me be crystal clear: this isn’t just a bad policy, it’s financially predatory, incompetent, and blatantly anti-owner.

You are gouging owners for paperwork that should be instantly available. You have the gall to monetise a certificate that you had nothing to do with arranging or paying for. This is not a service fee, it’s a shakedown. In a time when people are battling interest rates, rising expenses, and financial stress, your company is out here shaking owners upside-down for coins like a back-alley thug in a suit.

Your conduct is vile, your policies are insulting, and your customer service is non-existent. I've seen more responsiveness from an abandoned fax machine than from your so-called support team.

I will be lobbying hard to have Somerville Strata removed as our strata manager at the next body corporate meeting. And I won’t stop there, I’ll be advising every investor, owner, and manager I know. You are not fit to manage anything, let alone people’s homes or investments.

To anyone even considering Somerville Strata Management, run. Don’t walk. Run far, and fast. This isn’t just a warning, this is a demand: Stay. Away.

What a delightful change!! – This is my second review and I have to say we have gone from disappointment to absolute delight! We have had a few changes to meet our needs, and finally we have been blessed with a brand new team who are honestly so professional, nothing is a problem, response is immediate! Krysten is now our strata manager, and a what a weapon! She is… Read more

professional engaging knowledgeable and nothing is left undone or behind, lovely and super easy to deal with, if it wasn't for her, I think might have gone mad!!!! Strata committee is hard enough as we all know, but what a complete turnaround! I am so glad Somerville have taken onboard a new professional bunch. I am impressed, it took a few tweeks, but those turned into a game changer. We appreciate all the hard work Krysten does and goes that extra mile. We were going to change strata management due to past staff, but Krysten is a keeper!! She has come out to our property, so she has a better understanding of our property. I feel like we are VIP !!! Thank you for that! Thank you for going above and beyond for us! We appreciate you and thank you for being our strata manager (don't you dare go anywhere!!!) I can finally say I would recommend using Somerville!

Terrible strata management! – Agree with other comments where rated poorly. Was so much better 20yrs ago. Since they've moved to BCS/PICA, it's tanked even more. Communication is so poor, strata managers don't call you back, constant revolving door of strata managers which gives you an indication of the management, leadership, culture and work conditions. Staff can't follow… Read more

simple instructions, takes 5 people to handle the one simple task and they think we're all idiots when they try and patronise you.

Strata managers also have no understanding of the history of the building or scheme because you get palmed off from one manager to the next with no accountability from anyone.

New strata managers (we're about to go on to our third strata manager now in the space of a couple of months) jump into things blindly, make incorrect comments and assumptions without informing themselves first of the situation/history or even taking the time to meet new owners or to even call owners back.

It's bad enough that you have owners in your scheme who are lazy, ignorant and clearly do the wrong things by the scheme and by other owners but to have a strata manager indulge and perpetuate the poor behaviours from problem owners and allow problem owners to expose other owners and the scheme to more unnecessary risks is unproductive.

Our previous strata manager was the best, Sara Sause, but even she left after 18months and I don't blame her. It took ages for Sommerville to even make the announcement of her departure, which demonstrates how they treat owners, and a testament to the poor communication from Sommerville BCS/PICA.

We've had a sample of what the new management of our scheme will be like and that's enough to run and cut your losses.

Sommerville, now under BCS/PICA keep getting worse and worse. Save yourselves the hassle and stress and go somewhere else where the strata manager and management actually care about you as individuals and not as their next pay cheque. Otherwise, you might as well manage your own scheme and save the significant management fees.

For us, that level of attention, proactiveness, understanding, due diligence, care and dedication went out the door when Sara left.

Great Strata Manager – Chanelle Tabutoa is a professional, friendly and respectful manager at Somerville. Chanelle is one of the best Strata managers I have dealt with in over 10years of owning units. Chanelle's good nature complements her excellent communication on Strata issues, where she provides suggestions and solutions. I would highly recommend Chanelle as a Strata Manager.

Extremely unhelpful – Extremely unhelpful people, lazy and selective. Maria Maire. is an expert in gas-lighting, she will tell you that if others occupants have no issues, you must be the only one creating problems. It appears it's too hard to deal with any requests, but it is easy to collect the payments for their service'. Keep away from them, there are plenty of other good strata management service providers out there.

Unprofessional, impossible to reach and hopeless – The worst experience with sommerville and Rita haddad. It is impossible to get an answer let alone a call back or email reply reply. Numerous owners have asked for meetings minutes, answers to queries, and for proper processes to be followed when it comes documenting major works - but this has not happened. I am appalled.

A+++ strata manager – Rita Haddad is an experienced and professional strata manager. She is an excellent communicator, prompt to action requests and provides pragmatic solutions to issues raised. I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking a strata manager.

A Diplomat – Rita Haddad has been with Somervilles in other areas as well as Strata Management giving her great and valuable experience which she puts to good use for the benefit of her Clients.

Excellent strata manager – Rita Haddad has been a supportive and professional strata manager in my three years of experience with her. She is responsive, practical, and a good communicator. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to others.

Great professional and very helpfull – We have dealing with Rita H for about 12 years and when we need help to make some important decisions she always have been there for help us ,she is a very good professional

Great Service and Attention Always – I have been dealing with Rita Haddad and Somerville Strata Management for over 15 years. During this time I have always found Rita to be an exemplary strata manager. Her interpersonal skills are excellent, she has a respectful, friendly manner, is very diplomatic and is able to deal with all personality types in sometimes difficult situations. I would highly recommend Rita as an extremely knowledgeable, skillful and reliable strata manager.

Professional and helpful: Rita Haddad – Rita has demonstrated the qualities of a top class professional. Rita clearly understands her trade and her in-depth knowledge on all topics related to strata management. At our recent AGM Rita chaired with maturity beyond her years. We still have some challenging issues to resolve but Rita's patience and calm demeanour and ability be inclusive… Read more

makes the difference. Both Rita and Stephanie are very responsive to all our enquiries and we have notice a substantial improvement in service levels.

Great Strata Management – As a member of the Executive Committee of our strata I have developed a close working relationship with Rita and her assistant Stephanie. I know I can always rely on the promptness of her response and her professionalism as well as her detailed knowledge. Her always friendly and efficient way of resolving issues is much appreciated by myself and other members of our strata.

Rita Haddad – Rita is a fabulous strata manager. She is knowledgeable, responsive and incredibly helpful. She is also great at managing tricky situations with conflicting owners. I couldn't recommend her and Stephanie in her team highly enough.

Rita Haddad – Rita demonstrates the perfect level of professionalism and building a relationship with her clients based on trust. She is able to provide accurate, timely information. Rita is an absolute pleasure to deal with.

Professional and reliable: Rita Haddad – Since taking over as manager of our strata complex, Rita has demonstrated the qualities of a top class professional. Rita clearly understands her trade and her in-depth knowledge on all topics related to strata management has helped our EC navigate through some challenging situations. Rita's patience and calm demeanour has been especially… Read more

welcoming. Both Rita and Stephanie are very responsive to all our enquiries and we are glad to have the Somerville team on board.

It’s the people that make all the difference – Rita Haddad took over the management of our Strata a couple of years ago and it’s been fantastic ever since. Rita demonstrates the perfect level of professionalism and building a relationship with her clients based on trust. She is able to provide accurate, timely information. Takes me through the complexities of being on the Committee and my obligations. Rita is an absolute pleasure to work with.

So far Somerville have been excellent! – We only bought this property a week or so ago, but we had some building issues that needed rectification from the previous owner. Rita Hadad has been excellent - friendly, prompt and efficient.

Professional super service – Dealing with Rita Haddad on behalf of our strata owners is always a pleasure. Rita possesses qualities which are professional , patient, calm, and good natured and deals promptly with difficult tasks requiring diplomatic skills. Emails are answered and phone call are answered promptly and Rita facilitates a smooth running of all matters presented to her.

Professional and Ethical Services – The standard of service at all levels is excellent and has been over the last 5 years. Over this time we’ve had one major renovation of $1 m and other minor works. In addition major review of by laws etc. professional organisation Frank Balmain

Maria Maire: Miracle Worker! – Maria Maire at Somerville Strata Management has been a steady guiding hand for our Strata Plan for over 25 years now. Ultra-professional, patient and always good natured in her approach, Maria has solved countless issues for our block and has dealt with some difficult situations requiring top diplomatic skills. Maria is always available,… Read more

answering emails promptly and sometimes way out of business hours to facilitate smooth running of our 18 unit block. Maria's technical knowledge, decades of experience and superlative interpersonal skills make her absolutely irreplaceable.

Excellent client servicing – Maria Marie has been managing our small company title property for some time and is very professional in dealing with all owners. Maria is always available when you need her. Thanks again for all of your help and support over that past 9 years!

Very efficient and prompt attention to an urgent building rainwater leakage causing office and equipment damage – Somerville Strata Management were contacted in a crisis and very efficiently and professionally organised repairs to a severe roof leak that arose in violent storms in February 2019. This was in stark contrast to similar issues with prior strata managers who poorly dealt with lesser problems. Somerville were reliable, efficient and professional at every stage of this issue.

Horrible and unreliable – Our neighbours have had ongoing issues with noise from the apartments upstairs due lack of sound proofing on the floors for the last 4-5 yrs and the Strata Manager's have not resolved this issue instead continue to ignore the issue and our neighbour's request to ask the owner of the apartment to resolve this issue.

Hopeless – Since being taken over by PICA, Somerville has failed to deliver even the most basic of strata requirements. Emails and phone calls go unanswered, repairs are not followed up or completed, cleaners and gardeners show up less frequently and inconsistently. They have now failed to organise an AGM or provide basic strata documents. Strongly consider your options and go somewhere else if at all possible!!

Poor communication – We had a leak coming from the upstairs unit since end of 2017. Clearly a Strata issue. After numerous phone calls to Somerville they finally send a plumber to repair the leak. This took about 6 months. In the meantime the tenant moved out in March 2018 due to the damage and the smells coming from the water damage. We are still waiting for the unit to be repaired and we are owed over $12,000 in rent. I have dealt with 4 different individuals.

Excellent communication and timely responsiveness from Somerville strata manager – Ever since Somerville took over as our strata manager (more than 10 years), I have only experienced timely responses to my communication. The manager is very knowledgeable in strata matters and his information, suggestions and advice are sound. On instructing him to proceed with a job he communicates immediately with the appropriate party and does the follow up.

Reliable, flexible and professional – Our strata manager always deals with us in a timely fashion, he recognises and actions issues once they have been bought to his attention. If there is always If there is something he is unsure of, he will tell you and get help or offer solutions. His honesty & transparency is a rare attribute. We have recently been undertaking complex and… Read more

protracted negotiations with neighbours and contractors. Our strata manager is not directly involved, but has shown immense patience by fielding and coping with complaints, enquiries and our (EC) updates! At all times, our strata manager has remained calm and professional.

Our EC genuinely trust our manager.

Very good Strata Management- 8+ YRS – Sommerville has been our chosen strata management for the past 8 years and James manages our block of 12 units. I would have no hesitation in recommending James and Somerville and they are great to deal with. He is very quick to respond to emails or calls, always provides us with information and is highly professional. As a representative of… Read more

our body corporate, I will often need to contact Somerville to obtain information in order to comply with current rules and legislation, Somerville are very knowledgeable and in the rare times they don’t have the answers on hand, they get back to us quickly.

Asking them to do simple things like obtaining quotes for repairs and upgrades couldn’t be easier or quicker. Very time within half an hour, often within 10 minutes, emails have gone out with work orders to companies.

AGMS are perfectly run, to the point and very easy to follow for new owners or comittee members.

Id highly recommend Somerville and hope they keep up the excellent work!