Most buildings have a noticeboard in the foyer. Some stick with emails. Others still use letterbox flyers. But more and more, body corporates are thinking about Facebook.
Not because it’s trendy—but because it works. Setting up a Body Corporate Facebook page can be one of the easiest ways to reach residents and create a space where updates, reminders, and general questions can be handled quickly. But should your building go down this path?
What Can a Facebook Page Do for a Body Corporate?
At first, it might seem like Facebook is too informal for official communication. But a Facebook page—or even better, a private group—can actually support the way your committee works.
For starters, people already check Facebook regularly. It’s not another app to download or a login to remember. By setting up a Facebook group for residents, you make it simple for them to stay informed.
This might include:
- Meeting reminders
- Updates about maintenance or common areas
- Requests for feedback
- Lost property posts
- General Q&As
This sort of light communication doesn’t replace formal emails or letters. It just makes the small stuff quicker and more visible.
Why a Group Might Be Better Than a Page
There’s a difference between a Facebook page and a Facebook group. A page is more public-facing. A group can be private, even hidden. So if your goal is to build a space where residents can post as well—not just receive updates—a private group is often the better choice.
You can also choose whether the group is visible to non-members or hidden from search results altogether. This gives your committee some flexibility in how open or closed you want the communication to be.
One approach is to use both: a page for public announcements (like from the building manager or committee), and a group for day-to-day chat between residents.
Things to Think About Before You Start
While Facebook can make life easier, it needs some thought upfront. These are the big ones:
Who Will Manage It?
There should always be a clear admin or group of admins. These might be committee members or the building manager. If everyone has access, things can go wrong. And if no one has access, the group can quickly go stale.
What Will the Rules Be?
It’s smart to set a few simple guidelines from the start. Think about rules around respectful posts, avoiding off-topic messages, and what sort of help the group can or can’t provide. For example, it might be okay to ask if anyone else’s internet is down—but not to debate committee decisions.
Having rules pinned to the top of the group keeps everything clear.
How Will New Residents Be Invited?
If the group is private or hidden, new tenants and owners need a way in. One way is to add a link to the group in the welcome pack or include it in emails when new people move in. That way, they’re part of the loop from day one.
Benefits of a Facebook Group for Residents
Setting up a Facebook group for residents can lead to a stronger sense of connection in the building. While formal communication is still needed for legal and financial matters, the group can be where people share quick updates or check if the power outage is building-wide or just their unit.
It also makes it easier to share photos (like if someone left items in the carpark), send reminders about bins or strata cleaning, or ask if anyone found a missing parcel.
This kind of casual connection can stop small issues from turning into big ones.
A Quick Note on Privacy
While Facebook is familiar, it still requires a level of caution. Posts in a private group are not visible to outsiders, but they’re not private in a legal sense. That’s why it’s best to keep formal records and official voting or notices outside the group. Treat it as a noticeboard, not a filing cabinet.
The team at ABCM Facilities Management has created a guide on how to set up a Body Corporate Facebook page with practical steps and tips on doing it well. If your building is thinking about opening up new ways of communication, it’s worth a look. It might be the missing piece that makes everyday communication smoother and more inclusive—without adding more admin.
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