The first thing that strikes you upon stepping into By The Sea is its clean, polished and sleek minimalist facade, followed by the refreshing breeze.

As its namesake suggests, this premium 138-unit beachfront development in Batu Ferringhi, Penang offers stunning views of the sea. Developed by Selangor Dredging Bhd (SDB), it comprises three blocks ranging from 5 to 11 storeys. The development was completed in 2015. This year, it has emerged as a Joint Bronze winner in EdgeProp Malaysia’s Best Managed Property Awards 2018 under the below 10 years multi-own strata residential category. The other winner was Park Seven, also by SDB.

Most of the units at By The Sea are used as vacation homes, homestays or for short-term leases. Thus, the challenge lies in the management and finding a balance between dealing with guests’ requests and following house rules, such as donning the right swimming attire and bringing pets into the premises. Currently, the development is under a joint management body (JMB).

“To overcome these issues, there is constant communication between the owner and agent. Thus, we are able to inform the guests on the house rules and also ensure smooth operation of the management office and By The Sea. To ensure peace of mind for all our guests, safety and security are paramount. We have well-trained in-house and outsourced security guards to patrol, check and ensure that all tenants and guests adhere to the rules and regulations of the property,” says SDB head of post development Peter Quah, who is responsible for the management of the building.

As a majority of the occupants are short-term tenants, they are mostly handled by an agent or caretaker of the unit. “Should any issue or problem occur, we will inform the owner, then we will communicate with the agent for their further arrangement. If the unit owner or agent requires our assistance, we will try our best to resolve the issue,” he offers.

By The Sea has a customer service department that records all complaints and issues raised, and ensures they are resolved within a specific time frame. They also conduct community functions and resident engagement sessions on top of regular joint management committee meetings.

SDB has undertaken two corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects — a beautification of the beach, which involves adding sand and planting more coconut trees to offer residents a clean and unobstructed beachfront, and the Sungai Satu river rehabilitation project.

“RM2 million was spent to improve the quality of the river that runs through the land. We used a bio-engineering system that relied wholly on flora and fauna to mitigate flooding and ensure the water is cleaned before it reaches the sea. In the end, we successfully transformed the Class IV upstream river quality into a Class II downstream river quality and delivered a beautiful natural environment that is now enjoyed by the residents and the public,” explains Quah.

 The team continuously engages with sub-contractors who are well-trained and understand all their mechanical and electrical equipment. They practise preventive maintenance to avoid unplanned downtime and equipment failures.

Meanwhile, By The Sea JMB chairman Lewis Loo adds: “By The Sea has been driven by a team experienced in managing operational issues and providing solutions, which makes my role as chairman much easier. SDB property management is very passionate in CSR, integrity and innovative practices to ensure that the building is run as efficiently as possible.”

“We also carry out monthly maintenance checks while our technical personnel carries out daily routine checks according to the inspection check list (daily/weekly/monthly) and conduct monthly meetings for case updates and follow-up sessions. Similarly, to ensure top-notch cleanliness and upkeep, we maintain a daily check list and inspection. Every morning, we hold a meeting and a joint inspection with the cleaning supervisor once every two days,” says Quah.

The team also adopted cost optimisation initiatives using contractors and suppliers that are cost-effective and credible in their work, after making several comparisons.

For Quah, the award will drive them to work harder to keep the building as good as new. “It is not just about managing the development but also to build relationships with the homeowners.”

This story first appeared in EdgeProp.my pullout on May 11, 2018. Download EdgeProp.my pullout here for free.

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