How to identify the 3 types of apartment owners in your apartment building/resort.
In my experience, all types of apartment owners can be broken down into three key general classifications: Negative, Neutral & Positive. Understanding the differences of each of these owner types allows you to better work with and understand them.
The ‘negative’ apartment owner type
‘Negative’ owners only like to see problems and focus on the past. They are generally quick to judge/blame, and slow to forgive. Rather than focus on solutions to a problem, a ‘negative’ owner would rather talk about all the negative things that happened in the past and constantly bring up old arguments.
The ‘neutral’ apartment owner type
‘Neutral’ owners are unlikely to turn up at the AGM. They will not respond to newsletters or engage with fellow owners. A ‘neutral’ owner simply sits on the side-lines expecting others to take control and keep on top of things.
Investment owners, or second home owners are at high risk of becoming ‘neutral’ owners. If an owner is in financial difficulty, they may become a ‘neutral’ owner to avoid any communications for fear of being constantly chased for money they don't have.
The ‘positive’ apartment owner type
A ‘positive’ owner recognises we do not live in a perfect world, and that problems will arise. However rather than simply moan about them or bring up old arguments/problems, a ‘positive’ owner will look to move forward and work step-by-step to resolving everything that is resolvable and not to focus on those things that are in the past or not possible to resolve.
How to get more ‘positive’ apartment owners and avoid increasing ‘negative’ owners
Once an owner becomes negative it is extremely hard to turn them around and make them positive. While these individuals should not be ignored, don't waste all your time and effort on them. Trying to reason with unreasonable people will just frustrate you. Focus your efforts on the ‘neutral’ owners first and try to get them to become more positive.
Get them involved in the day to day operations of the building, show them what good is being done, what is being done about that outstanding maintenance, or against the owners who are in arrears with their communal charges.
You will find when a unit owner sees how much hard work is required to get a debtor to pay up, or how difficult balancing budgets is, they are far more likely to have better understanding of the challenges the committee face.
The worst thing you can do is think that those ‘neutral’ owners do not matter, or ignore them. ‘Neutral’ owners can very easily become ‘negative’ owners. As they do not participate they can quickly jump to conclusions or listen to a ‘negative’ owner’s point of view and start to form their own negative opinions.
Looking for more?
If you are a member of your management committee, (or are looking to set one up) you will know that while the communal property regulations are comprehensive, they are sometimes a little difficult to understand and even once understood its not always easy to apply these generic regulations to your individual building with its specific challenges.
To help with this problem my most recent book the Ultimate Committee handbook gives you detailed and step by step instructions on every aspect of being on your committee and running your building. It explains the communal property law in simple terms including real world examples and instructions on how to best apply these regulations.
To get more information on this book, and view a book preview you can click the below link.
Unlock the true potential of your apartment building or resort with The Ultimate Committee Handbook.
Russell Flick
The Cyprus Communal Guide
Helping you unlock your buildings true potential.
