As leaders in the Strata industry, we have come a long way since beginning our journey almost 4 decades ago.
Even our name is deeply rooted in the history of our organisation. Originally standing for Melbourne Body Corporate Management, it reminds us of our humble beginnings as a small but ambitious Melbourne-based family business. In the years since, we have expanded significantly both in size and knowledge, but have maintained our commitment to delivering personalised service to our local communities.
Today we have over 63 branches nation-wide and 35 years of experience across our two brands, MBCM Strata Management and Australia Strata Management. Thanks to our expertise, you can trust us as your reliable Strata company.
How we became the experienced Strata company you can count on
The beginning
It all started in 1989, amidst an economic climate where home mortgage interest rates soared at 17%, and the nation was grappling with a recession.
The Burford family, led by our founder Andrew Burford, took a brave step into the future of Strata management after seeing an advertisement for several body corporate properties and a purpose-built computer program – an ‘unpolished diamond’ that would help manage the strata locations. This purchase laid the cornerstone of what would become a leading Strata company. From the beginning, the foundation of the business was providing a local service that simply wasn’t available through larger strata management groups.
Based out of their home in Glen Iris, Victoria, Andrew juggled his job at the Valuer General’s office while running the annual general meetings, and his wife managed back-office operations in their home study. However, it wasn’t long before this new business began to take over the entire house. By 1991, Andrew was working within the business full- time and had hired an experienced property manager to help run the Strata company.
Launching the network
The localised aspect of MBCM filled a key gap in the market. The philosophy was to offer a superior level of management to body corporates by providing personal service and greater attention to detail while operating from strategically located offices close to the client base. This enabled a more hands-on approach that wasn’t available from competitors. Instead, people were forced to travel long distances for meetings with their property managers who didn’t truly understand the community.
As the business grew, it soon became clear that there was an opportunity to bring this to more locations while maintaining our unique value proposition. By 1992, Andrew embraced franchising—unheard of in our industry before this point—and welcomed our first franchisee, Elly Foster, who looked after seventeen body corporates in the Heidelberg territory.
Andrew was indeed ahead of his time, and our community-focused model proved to be revolutionary. Franchisees received extensive training, ensuring a foundation built on delivering excellent service. By 2000, our strata management group had grown to 15 strong franchises, and the growth persisted.
With the transfer of ownership to the franchisees in 2008 and establishing a head office, we reinforced our mission to deliver high-quality, personal service to the strata space.
Introducing ASM
Up until this point, MBCM was mostly servicing communities in the Greater Melbourne area. However, we believe that every Strata scheme deserves to benefit from local management and services.
That’s why we launched Australian Strata Management (ASM) as the national arm of MBCM Strata Specialists in 2019. Operating both ASM and MBCM means we can provide our services and knowledge to as many Strata communities as possible, giving them the benefit of local service combined with the backing of an entire national network and their knowledge.
Today
Over time, more and more franchises have opened across Australia, with territories changing hands into the next generation of Strata managers. This has given our Strata company access to an abundance of knowledge and experience, with new perspectives being brought to the network that allow us to better serve our customers.
We pride ourselves on being a national powerhouse with locally owned branches — providing responsive and reliable strata management. Our clients benefit from our deep knowledge of their local area so we can generate the results they deserve. We are so proud of the growth within our community, and the network of committed Strata specialists dedicated to great service.
The key to our success as a Strata company
From the beginning, there have been three major points that have underpinned every decision and influenced the way we deliver our services. This is what has led us to the level of success we see today.
Local
Being local isn’t just about geography—it’s about heart. Our Strata Managers are not just employees; they’re business owners embedded within their communities. We champion customer satisfaction and are deeply invested in community building.
Our commitment also extends beyond service—we give back. With over $30,000 donated to charities like The Smith Family and Launch Housing and contributing to life-changing initiatives such as the Good Friday Appeal’s ‘Neil’s Cruise for the Kids,’ we uphold a culture of generosity and compassion.
Responsive
When you partner with us, peace of mind is part of the package. With exceptional customer service standards, we stand as a beacon of responsiveness, transparency, and unwavering support.
You won’t be left waiting, or have to engage with individuals who are not invested in your outcomes. We are committed to you and want to help our community as quickly as possible.
Experts
Our legacy as founding members of the Strata Community Association (SCA) attests to our leadership role in the industry. Each member of our clan—franchisees and staff alike—is fully qualified and registered, exemplifying our dedication to professionalism and expertise.
Plus, with 35 years in operation, you can count on our established business and training models as we set up MBCM and ASM branches in your area.
What’s next?
The future beckons with promises of deeper community engagement, unwavering customer satisfaction, and enduring relationships. Our journey continues with plans to expand interstate, extending our ethos of tailored, local service across new horizons.
Partner with your trusted Strata company
At MBCM and ASM, we don’t just manage properties; we nurture communities, foster connections, and envision a future where every Strata scheme is part of a larger, supportive family. As our story continues, you could be part of it. Join us today.
