PICA Group - Sydney, New South Wales

Kristie S.

If I could have given no stars, I would have. This company is beyond incompetent. Somerville managed our building for many decades, and Quite poorly at that. We just happened to have an active member who basically ran STRATA for us at the time when that STRATA member left the unit block, We got the full experience of how horrid Somerville were and We were wanting to leave Somerville however a decent manager had our portfolio for about 18 months and things had improved. However, at some point they have been taken over or amalgamated with PICA (Without our knowledge) And the manager we had has gone off on sudden leave and we have not been updated as to when or if she is returning. We’ve been given a temporary manager, however, trying to speak to them or any other manager on the phone is near impossible. Despite the initial receptionist Flagging phone calls as urgent and high priority. You won’t receive callbacks from them, Or as of today, for example our committee received a follow up email about a request from an owner that Committee had responded too about two weeks ago. We’ve also asked for guidance About contractors not having finished Electrical works in the building, We have had no advice given, Despite numerous requests. We have been trying to obtain a certificate of Currency to re mortgage our unit For two weeks now. Despite one manager, forwarding me the certificate a few months ago, as it expired I need a new one. However, on this occasion, another manager told me I had pay $35 to get it. So As an owner and committee member to confirm Our building building is actually insured, They charge you extra . And even after being held ransom for paying it, (As we need it For the bank ) They still can’t find a record Of The request, So we are still waiting. Another example is we had waterproofing done for our balconies And our advice was that we had to engage expensive engineers reports which cost $5000 alone. If a committee member didn’t do their own due diligence and find an alternative option, owners would have been up For In excess Of $100,000 For the works. Instead, we paid $25,000. Thank God, we didn’t listen to them As it would’ve meant special, Evie’s or exhausting, our Capital works fund. We recently asked for invoices to works not to be paid In full as two units needed the workers to return to complete a task. Despite our request to hold off on the invoice, they were all paid in full. Lucky the business doing the works were lovely and came back despite having already been paid in full. If you want to feel Like a paycheck, just another number, Don’t ever wanna speak to anyone for guidance or advice, And enjoy having your money and time Wasted. Then go for these guys. Otherwise, Go anyone run for the hills.

B D.

Have been living in my building and same apartment in Manly since 2021. My experience with this strata company has been awful. I don’t deal with them ever directly, always through my agent am constantly having to follow them up for repairs to be organsied. I had a leaking roof, it took weeks for them to get a plumber out. I’m not sure what is more urgent than water coming through your ceiling from the apartment above then that… but clearly there are.
Don’t get me started on the replacement of the balcony’s. This was meant to take 3 weeks. It took 3 months, all over summer. Dec - March. I’m on the ground floor so I had no balcony the entire summer. There was 0 communication on anything, the trades never cleaned up and just when you thought they were done, the painters came and block access for another 2 weeeks

I’d avoid this company. I would hate to know what they charge for their “services”.

David B.

If there could be negative stars these guys would get them all.

Days of waiting for an email reply to get a standard response and be told i need to pay a lodgement fee for a basic request which should be free.

Absolute joke

Amy H.

Warning to future sellers! This body corporate company is the only one that refuses to provide a full body corporate disclosure statement upon request, despite taking clients’ money. They make the process unnecessarily difficult and costly. Instead, consider using a third-party company to obtain the disclosure for half the price. Avoid the hassle and look elsewhere!

John B.

There's been talk of a royal commission into strata management for how dodgy and corrupt it can be. The PICA Group should be very concerned. Never - for your own sanity - deal with these people.

kerrie H.

Wish I could give no stars. They now manage NSW Strata Management and honestly they are hopeless to deal with. They failed in their duties to manage our association. They dont respond to any correspondence or if they do its months later. There are no procedures in place so nothing was done on time if at all. I had to call them and ask them to do their duties. What were we paying them for I'll never know. I would advise against using them

Elle D.

I became Chairman for the Body Corporate of my building five years ago with the PICA Group being our Strata Managers... Since that time I HAD, on the whole, had nothing good to say about the PICA Group, to the extent, that in fact I began the process to seek alternative representatives for our Body Corporate. To say I was dissatisfied with both our assigned Strata Managers does not come close to adequately stating just how dreadful I found their service to be.

Fortunately however, a new Strata Manager, LOUISE NEWELL, called to inform me she had replaced our second Strata Manager, & we subsequently had an extremely pleasant phone conversation, whereby I found myself having a renewed hope in the PICA Group & the Body Corporate process.

Shortly thereafter it was proven on several crucial occasions that Louise is an extremely professional individual whose assistance was key in resolving matters swiftly & with aplomb. Louise posseses an old skool sense of integrity rarely found in business anymore; her unbiased fairness & honesty, & above all, her support has been nothing short of amazing! Louise' extensive knowledge of legislation has lead our Body Corporate through some testing times; & her ability to remain calm & communicate effectively with difficult individuals in our building has proven priceless.

Almost two years on, I regard Louise with great respect & can assert that her successful strata management & effective support has contributed to a more harmonious, functional, Body Corporate. I cannot recommend Louise highly enough. We definitely struck 'third time lucky' having Louise come on board as our Strata Manager, to the extent we have signed another contract for ongoing Strata Management services.

If you are seeking an individual of true character & substance - especially if you are new to a Body Corporate & need assistance through the myriad of issues that can present, LOUISE NEWELL is your person! I can confidently say you would not be disappointed with her genuinely professional service.

Immanuel C.

Have made multiple attempts to have PICA send invoices to particular email addresses and also send the invoice in the mail without success. My request is very simple. I will try phoning again tomorrow although in the past I have found phone calls are answered by a very polite person who is not able to action anything that I request. The request is passed on.