Owners are Outcasts

I have stayed in complexes from as early as 2008 and own two units of my own. However, I have never dealt with a body corporate that is as unhelpful and inconsiderate like Promto Property and Management Services. We are told that as owners we are part of the Body Corporate and have a say in the running of complexes, but this means nothing to Promto. Their behavior gives off a vibe that they are either related or are friends in business or sorts. As an owner of a unit under them you feel like an outsider. Yet their levies are so expensive. We stay in building that is over 30 years old. Nice spacious units with a flat roof. We are a group of just 8 units. And like any building that’s not so new, one would be expect that there are few maintenance issues. What becomes problematic is the response and behaviour of the body corporate when you raise issues. Firstly, they are quick to send their trusted maintenance. I think they see the maintenance guy (who appears to be working alone and not with other contractors or experts) as a jack of all trades of sorts. So, for anything and everything you complain about they will send this guy. I have not seen them consult any other expert or advisor for the issues I have experienced. Next they will rush to sort out the issue without proper investigation nor even informing you of the findings. Sometimes you will just hear them say it’s done. Communication is horrible, you have to beg them for information, even if it’s your own house, especially if it’s stuff that involves the roof. They will just climb up and you will be informed by noises. If you ask for clarity or feedback, like I normally do, you will get treated like a ********. They pretend like they can’t understand your questions or concerns then after contemplating they send a calculated inaccurate response. They avoid giving you any details at all costs. They will duck and dive and even send screenshots. But never a full report. I’m guessing this is part of the plan not to have the real details (issues)on paper trail. They are also quick to pass the buck and say an issue is for the owner. Issues which aren’t even stipulated in the code of conduct. But because they know they will back each other up, they will pursue this route anyway. They also know how to play victims and hide information even for bodies like the ombudsman. They have done this with CSOS. You might be wondering what issues I am talking about • The roof has many leaks, you complain about one they quickly patch that side, another leak comes up and so the nasty cycle goes on. It’s worse during rainy season. • The balconies (to the bedrooms upstairs) have cracks that cause horrible leaks to the ceiling (ground floor). They have convinced themselves that this is the owners’ responsibilities, yet they continue to tamper with parts of the balcony, like the inner walls. How is that possible? • Last year they were s****ing the outside walls of the complex. I have never been aware of the reason. Then they painted the walls to close off those areas. A tacky job. Now the building is in two colours yet they are convinced that they are doing this to improve the look of the complex. How?!! • I recently brought it to their attention various bumps on the inner walls. They quickly dismissed the issue as I expected. But I insisted they investigate further and alas we found there are particles in the bricks that cause these bumps and that this is a complex wide issue. Their conclusion is that I should fix this on my own. I’m a little confused. Do they expect us to just sit and allow problems to worsen because the mighty Promto Body Corporate will always find a way to escape their responsibilities? Why are we even paying levies if simple maintenance cannot be carried through appropriately? What are they doing with the money?