SA’s first social media platform that targets managed communities to ease the process of communication between members is set to change the way body corporates and homeowner associations operate.
Launched late last year, SocialEstate.co.za radically speeds up management tasks typical of a sectional title scheme or residents association, and puts members in touch to resolve issues within a fraction of the time.
According to the South African Registrar of Deeds (also known as the Deeds Office), there are currently 64 419 registered Sectional Title Schemes in South Africa and an average growth of 2,84% per annum has been recorded over the last five years.
As the trend for managed communities such as townhouse complexes and estates continues to grow, mostly due to the affordability and security they offer, so too do the challenges these members face. Conflict between community members, and everyday management disputes can lead to real discontent, mostly because of a lack of two-way communication and transparency.
Developed by Ross Glenn, a computer programmer with 13 years experience in various sectors including client relationship management systems, Social Estate is the result of first-hand experience.
As an active trustee and owner of a unit within one of Joburg’s many residential complexes, Glenn is fully aware of the common challenges facing management, owners, residents and service providers of managed communities.
Says Glenn, “My motivation to initially become a trustee was to get involved in matters concerning the complex where I’d lived for a few years already. But I soon realised that I didn’t like the idea of being responsible for other people’s money while not being fully aware of what it was being spent on and I especially struggled with the idea of other trustees discussing matters of relevance to me, in my absence.”
Glenn continues, “But it was also about the amount of time and resources being an active trustee requires of you. The amount of emails and phone calls I found myself having to make just wasn’t sustainable.”
Social Estate offers a number of useful tools that completely eliminates the need for emails and telephone calls. One of these features is a discussion board where members can chat and share ideas. Trustees can also start private discussion topics, allowing them to cover matters between monthly trustee meetings.
The helpdesk feature means trustees can effectively manage enquiries and requests, which are logged and then tracked, keeping the person that submitted the request updated with notifications.
Access to other handy tools – like a polling system to get a general consensus from residents on certain topics and also a service provider directory with a feedback and rating option – provide an interactive platform that keeps everyone in the loop.
The reaction from body corporates, residents and contractors has been overwhelmingly positive with members agreeing that Social Estate vastly improves efficiency, accuracy and transparency, enabling better time management and quick decision-making that involves all relevant parties.
Says Wouter van den Heever, managing member at Ambercom Property Management, “We are involved in an industry that requires clear concise communication to all stakeholders at all times to ensure transparency and good governance. Social Estate has made this task significantly easier and since we started using this product, we’ve seen greatly improved communication between trustees and owners.”
Glenn has big plans to further develop Social Estate into a mechanism for generating income for large communities such as residential associations and housing estates. His aim is to give these establishments the tool to raise additional funds for community improvement and spur local business growth through direct marketing to their communities.