Learn. Lead. Make your Community Rise High.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Estate Managers Workshop 2025, hosted by ADDA.io in association with the Bangalore Apartment Federation (BAF), brought together estate managers and experts for a dynamic day of learning, networking, and collaboration. Held on January 10th at TERI Auditorium, Bangalore, the event featured insights on effective community management and showcased innovations from ADDA.io to make the work of Estate Managers smoother. The event was supported by sponsors Terra Charge, Shudh-Labh, and The Freethinking School.
Session 1 Highlights
Speaker 1 – Vinod KC
Session Overview
Mr. Vinod delved into the critical responsibilities of estate managers during the property takeover process, emphasizing the importance of thorough documentation, asset management, and vendor relations. His session highlighted actionable strategies to ensure smooth transitions, mitigate operational risks, and optimize long-term cost management for residential communities.
Session Highlights: Builder-to-Manager Handover Insights
- Start Documenting Property Details Early: Collect all property-related documents upfront from the developers to avoid retrieval issues later.
- Maintain a Master Database: Track unit history, payments, and bookings related details with a comprehensive master sheet.
- Ensure Vendor Recommendations: Work with OEM-recommended vendors for better service quality and compliance.
- Digitize with Visuals: Use diagrams and pictures to document electrical systems and assets for easy reference.
- Keep track of Statutory requirements: Stay compliant by keeping updated statutory certificates like HO/TO certificates.
- Implement Cost-Efficient Maintenance Practices: Incorporate preventive strategies like regular asset reviews to optimize long-term expenses.
Importance of the Right Technology Support
- Centralized Documentation Management – Estate managers can upload, organize, and access critical documents such as building plans, legal agreements, warranties, compliance certificates, and approvals in one place.
- Defect and Snag Management – Estate managers can document issues (e.g., plumbing, electrical, structural defects) using ADDA.io’s Helpdesk with photos, descriptions, and deadlines, ensuring developers address them before the handover.
- Asset Handover Tracker – Ensures all critical assets (e.g., generators, elevators, STPs) are accounted for, with proper training and documentation provided.
- Financial Transparency – Tools like ADDA.io helps in transparency and generating detailed reports showing pending amounts and ensure smooth financial reconciliation.
- Compliance Monitoring – Setup all compliances in one place, along with documents. Setup important dates and get renewal reminders, etc. which ensures that you do not miss out on compliances
Speaker 2 – Malini Parmar
Session Overview
Ms. Malini Parmar highlighted the vital role of community managers in driving sustainability through waste segregation.
She noted that apartment dwellers generate 2.2 kg of waste daily, contributing to 5000-6000 tons citywide. With best practices like composting and RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), 60-75% of this waste can be prevented from going to landfills.
She also explained BBMP’s fee structure: non-compliant bulk waste generators pay Rs. 12 per kg, while those with composting systems pay only Rs. 3. Malini urged managers to adopt these practices to foster sustainable communities.
Session Highlights: Best Practices for Waste Management
- Sustainable Practices for Communities: Promote green practices like composting, bioenzymes, and sustainable menstruation products to create a healthier environment.
- Real Estate Manager’s Role: Engage residents and staff in segregation training, making them responsible for waste reduction.
- Reducing Waste with Composting: Composting organic waste effectively reduces waste volume and can be used for community landscaping.
- Encourage Eco-friendly Initiatives: Simple changes like reusing bags and promoting preloved goods help reduce community waste.
- Impact of Waste Segregation: Segregating waste can reduce 90 kg of mixed waste to just 30 kg, demonstrating the impact of proper management.
Session 2 Highlights
Speaker 3 – CA Vinay Thyagaraj
Session overview
C.A. Vinay Thyagaraj’s session focused on financial compliance and the critical role of estate managers in managing finances, statutory compliance, and creating value for the community.
He emphasized that estate managers are the backbone of the community, handling financial matters that go beyond basic maintenance. Vinay shared key insights on GST compliance, accounting practices, and data-driven decision-making for improving community operations. He also highlighted the importance of obtaining builder bylaws early to ensure smooth operations and avoid future disputes.
Session Highlights: Financial Management & Compliance for Estate Managers
- Estate Managers vs. Facility Managers: Estate managers handle both facility management tasks and go beyond, adding value to the property, while facility managers focus on specific tasks like maintenance and vendor management.
- GST Compliance: He clarified questions on GST and informed about the applicability of the GST rates (18% GST applies for maintenance fees of Rs. 7,500 or more) and asked the estate managers to seek expert advice on tax-related matters for the community when required.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Use data analytics for informed decision-making, such as optimizing parking and water usage, improving operational efficiency.
- Bylaws and Accountability: Obtain builder bylaws early, vet them, and create a community booklet for transparency and improved governance.
- Accounting Practices: Stay on top of accounting, as it’s crucial for the health of the community, even if it’s not always visible.
- Be careful about where to cut Costs – A community might be having experienced handymen, who knows the in and outs of the community and can faster resolve issues. Having such experienced personnel might look like a big cost, but it also ensures quick resolution of issues, and overall betterment of the community in the long run.
Speaker 4 – Suresh Babu
Session overview
Mr.Suresh Babu emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with residents to ensure a smooth living environment. He outlined practical strategies for handling common issues, such as leakage, security concerns, and waste management.
Key advice included staying calm during conflicts, offering multiple solutions to residents, and fostering community engagement to reduce disputes. With a focus on documentation, security training, and clear rules, Suresh highlighted the role of real estate managers in maintaining peace and ensuring accountability in the community.
Session Highlights: Effective Approaches to Handling Complaints & Building Harmony
- Have a clean communication channel – This is extremely important, so that the residents are aware of the community related updates and guidelines. If the residents are aware of these, many conflicts do not arise in the first place.
- Customer-Centric Approach: “The customer is always right” – a strong relationship with residents ensures smooth operations and enhances their experience.
- Handling Conflicts Effectively: Remain calm and empathetic when addressing angry residents; offering 2-3 viable solutions empowers them and diffuses tension.
- Enforcing Rules: Clear, well-communicated rules (e.g., on parking or charging sockets) help prevent conflicts, and enforcement is key to maintaining order.
- Security Training: Continuously train security staff as they are the first line of defense and must be prepared to handle various situations.
- Preventative Measures: Organizing community-building events reduces conflicts by fostering better relationships and improving communication among residents.
- Documentation & Accountability: Always document incidents, ensuring transparency and enabling efficient resolutions.
Mr. Krishanu Mukherjee’s Session: Leveraging Technology for Smarter Community Management
Mr. Krishanu Mukherjee, AVP of Marketing and Strategic Initiatives at ADDA, wrapped up the Estate Managers Workshop with an insightful session on leveraging technology for smarter community management.
He showcased how ADDA’s tools can address common challenges such as communication gaps, can automate manual tasks and help in tackling compliance issues. Want to dive deeper into his session? Click here for the full blog with all the insights!
Token of Gratitude and Event Conclusion
As a token of appreciation, all four speakers, including Mr. Veera Raghavan from BAF, who was honored for his valuable presence, received plants, aligning with the event’s sustainability theme. The day concluded with a group photo, symbolizing the collaborative spirit of estate managers and speakers.
The Estate Managers Workshop 2025 was a great success, empowering participants with practical knowledge and innovative solutions. Heartfelt thanks to the speakers, sponsors, participants, and BAF for their invaluable contributions.
Featured Media Coverage
This workshop on estate management and community living received significant media attention. Check out the publications that featured this event:
- Indulge Express: https://www.indulgexpress.com/gadgets/2025/Jan/13/revolutionizing-community-living-addaios-latest-initiative
- Construction Week Online: https://www.constructionweekonline.in/events/adda-ios-notable-event-aims-to-elevate-living-standards-in-indian-gated-communities
- Passionate in Marketing: https://www.passionateinmarketing.com/adda-io-hosts-estate-manager-workshop-a-move-to-transform-urban-community-living/#google_vignette
- MSN India: https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/revolutionizing-community-living-adda-io-s-latest-initiative/ar-BB1rmSr7
- APN News: https://www.apnnews.com/adda-io-hosts-estate-manager-workshop-a-move-to-transform-urban-community-living/
Here’s to future successful partnerships and smarter, sustainable communities!