Why smaller schemes should also be on the internet

Businesses today cannot succeed without a home on the internet, and the same goes for community schemes, says Omar Kinnear, developer of information and communications portal, ResidentPortal.

“But there are many smaller schemes that either do not have a budget for a website, or the human resources needed to manage it,” he says.  “However, the role of an online presence where residents can be informed cannot be overstated.”

In fact, in the US, there is a move towards compelling schemes to have a site on the web with and resident portal, with the State of Florida becoming the first to legislate this requirement in 2022.  The Act arose because of how, all too often, owners experience unnecessary difficulties when trying to locate or access financial documents, scheme records, and rules and regulations.

“While South Africa is behind in this trend, it’s not a stretch to imagine how it would enhance transparency and communication if every community scheme were to have a portal where they could access those documents,” says Kinnear.

Start free and build up to a full information and communications portal

Resident Portal provides a cost-effective solution for managing community schemes, with flexible pricing options that can help to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

There are four options for community schemes, from a free, start-up site that includes a mobile-friendly online portal with contacts, an interactive map, facilities and even links to local Caxton newspapers, to a comprehensive online information and communications portal.  Paid-for options grow from R99, to R349 and R699 per month for the full-fledged package.

“Over time, smaller estates can move up to the comprehensive portal, which covers everything a scheme needs to streamline communication and information requests,” says Kinnear. 

This includes the ability to log requests and track them to approval, obtain access-controlled documents, apply for permission to keep a pet, and register pets and vehicles.

Management can use the system to budget, upload levy statements and manage director and trustee portfolios, while the system includes online pet applications, vehicle and pet registers, and features direct messaging, notifications and sharing information on events.

“Using ResidentPortal, property managers can improve resident satisfaction, increase transparency and accountability, and help ensure that the community is running smoothly and effectively,” he says.

He adds that It also fosters a greater sense of community. “When residents can communicate with each other, plan activities, and become involved in the governance of their scheme, they tend to be more engaged and invested in community life.”

He concludes:  “There really is no reason for smaller schemes to postpone creating a presence on the internet, and ResidentPortal offers them a way to achieve that, starting from the basics and growing into a comprehensive, cost-effective system that streamlines all their essential management functions and enhances resident satisfaction.”