SUBSIDIARY PROPRIETORS- AWARENESS OF AND PARTICIPATION IN MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AFFAIRS

Abstract

Condominium and apartment living has become a widely accepted form of homeownership in Singapore. With it, however, all owners otherwise known as subsidiary proprietors in these multi-unit structures, share common facilities. It is through the Management Corporation (MC), a legally constituted body comprising all owners, that the responsibility for the maintenance and management of these areas is undertaken. The success of the MC hinges on the participation of subsidiary proprietors which to a large extent is affected by their awareness of MC affairs. It is this premise that has prompted this study which seeks to investigate the general level of awareness of subsidiary proprietors in respect of MC affairs and to establish the link between their awareness and participation. As residential MCs have increased more than three-fold over the last five years, there is a growing concern to ensure that MC members are well informed about MC affairs and motivated to take an interest. This is necessary so as to create a more effectively run MC whereby all owners will directly participate in the welfare of their estate administration. The results of the study undertaken give a general indication of the extent of subsidiary proprietors' awareness of and participation in MC affairs, highlighting some areas of concern to which recommendations are suggested. It is hoped that this study provides an insight into the importance of awareness and participation as keys in any MC's success.