Specialist Certificate in Strata Property Management
1. Course Background
Strata-titled properties give individuals ownership of units (termed a strata lot/unit) in a multi-unit development and shared ownership of common areas in the development (such as car parks, swimming pools, club house etc in condominiums). The Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA) provides the framework for the envisaged collaborative and cooperative self governance of the shared common areas by Subsidiary Proprietors (SPs) or Individual Owners, via a Management Corporation (MC) / MCST.
The growth in strata developments has fueled the growth of Managing Agents (MAs) who are appointed to manage the common areas by MCs. Strata management is a specialist area of property management; it is more complex and demanding particularly in mixed use developments where there is likely to be greater differences in the vested interest of SPs.
The Building & Construction Authority, Building Management Department (BCA) has been instrumental in attempts to raise the service levels of MA firms and individuals. It invited two industry associations to propose a scheme to manage and administer the accreditation of MA firms and individuals and training in connection. BCA subsequently recognized the accreditation scheme of two industry associations through an MOU signed in February 2020 (https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/accreditation-schemes-for-managing-agents)
The RECA Specialist Certificate in Strata Property Management has been designed to meet the competency requirements of an MA individual specified by BCA with the enhanced technical competencies required to manage the preventive and corrective maintenance work in new and ageing developments. It will form one of two parts of BCA’s specified training for accreditation as an MA individual (the other part being the ‘Legislation Course for Managing Agents’ conducted by the BCA Academy).
MA individuals with a minimum of two years relevant full-time work experience in strata property management who pass both parts of the training can apply to be an Accredited MA individual by the Association of Strata Managers (ASM) When approved, ASM will list their names on its website. To remain accredited, MA Individuals must adhere to and maintain ASM’s code of conduct and ethics and attend a minimum eight (8) hours of continuing professional development (CPD) training a year.
2. Course Objectives
The RECA Specialist Certificate in Strata Property Management addresses one of the key initiatives spelt out in the Real Estate ITM launched on 8 February 2018, viz. ‘Build up local FM talent and raise professionalism and attractiveness of FM industry’. It fills the current gap in the provision of a certifiable training course for the strata property management in-employed to level up service standards and a training avenue for those seeking to join the industry which currently faces manpower shortages. The course will also serve the needs of other parties who provide built environment services.
The course will provide Legislative-Technical-Administrative knowledge and skills training interweaved with social skills training for operational level management of strata-titled properties. Learning outcomes will comprise in the main of knowledge and skills to apply defined/established techniques, methods, operations and routines.
3. Course Structure
The course comprises three modules as shown in the table below:
4. Course Duration
49 hours (excluding exams)
5. Mode of Delivery, Assessment & Certification
The mode of delivery will comprise lectures delivered either face to face or by live streaming/video conferencing via RECA’s ELearning Hub.
Assessment will be in the form of examinations. There will be two examinations in total, one combining the content of Module 1 and 2, and one on Module 3. Each examination will comprise short ‘fill in the blanks’ questions and longer problem-based essay questions testing practical application of the knowledge imparted.
The total number of marks for each exam is 100; participants must achieve a mark of 50 to pass. The RECA Specialist Certificate in Strata Property Management will be issued upon completion and passing of both examinations of the course.
6. Entry Requirements
Applicants are expected to have:
• GCE ‘O’ or ‘N’ Level with credits in English and Mathematics or equivalent and
• Basic IT proficiency in the use of MS Office software.
7. Progression and Lifelong Learning
Provisions for Lifelong Learning for Specialist Certificate in Strata Property Management holders designated as ‘Accredited MA Individual’ is in place:
7.1 Deep Skilling
Acquire deeper/specialist skills through the Specialist Diploma in Strata Property Management after attaining the ‘Accredited MA Individual’ status.
7.2 Lateral/Up-Skilling
Acquire lateral and/or improve knowledge by progressing onto the range of courses on the RECA Real Estate/Facilities Management and Maintenance Lifelong Learning Roadmap such as the Specialist Certificate in Building Inspection, Advanced Diploma in Property and Facilities Management and the Diplomas in Real Estate Management / Facilities Management to enhance their employability to take on extended roles in the wider realm of the Facilities Management Industry.
8. Course Fees & Funding Support
$1,900 nett (excludes $100 registration fee). Course fee funding is available; see details below:
i. SSG Funding: Visit this website
https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/training-exchange/course-directory/course-detail.html?courseReferenceNumber=TGS-2021003543.
ii. SkillsFuture Credit:
All Singaporeans aged 25 and above can use their $500 SkillsFuture Credit to offset the unfunded portion of the course fees. Visit https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/training-exchange/course-directory/course-detail.html?courseReferenceNumber=TGS-2021003543 and login using your Singpass.
9. Registration & Enquiries
Please call 6563 4176 or e-mail: enquiry@reca.edu.sg for other information you may require.
Please note:
It may be necessary for reasons beyond RECA’s control, to change the content and timing of the programme and the identity of the course leader/s.
Resources for Module 1 - Strata Property Management in Practice
BCA Publications
(Please click on the link below to download)
1) Strata Living in Singapore
2) SMG1 - Concept of Strata Living
3) SMG2 - Role and Responsibility of Stakeholders
4) SMG3 - Preparation for a General Meeting
5) SMG4 - Proceedings of a General Meeting
6) SMG5 - Proceedings of a Council Meeting
7) Subsidiary Legislations to the BMSMA
Useful Links
1) Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA)
2) BMSMA Notifications, Exemption Orders and Regulations