The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Connecting apartment residents online

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Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Connecting apartment residents online

Liffy Thomas

Neighbours stay in touch thanks to technology

CHENNAI: For over a couple of months, the Shankars only knew a few neighbours in their new, 194-odd apartment complex on Rajiv Gandhi Salai. Blame it on today’s fast-paced world in which one finds little time to mingle. But, many often hope that an understanding neighbour would give a helping hand during a contingency.

Life has been different for the residents of the Adair Owners Association after they decided to form an online community seven months ago. The website www.adair.in connects tenants, owners, sellers and prospective buyers.

Many such as Milind Shankar are happy that they have connected with over 85 per cent of the residents, besides getting many household chores done online. “I may not socialise so actively, but I am aware who my neighbour is,” he says.

Addressing issues

For all those who have been blaming apartments for becoming an unsocial place, such online platforms are helping residences communicate better. Whether it is addressing grievance on a leaking tap or getting rid of middlemen who take commission for paying e-bills or being informed about a get-together at the sprawling gardens, many associations are forming their own online community, engaging residents to participate actively.

“Around 70 per cent of the owners in our complex are NRIs who wish to know the details of the flat they have let out — the current rental rates, new amenities added or things like whether the maintenance bill are to be paid,” says R. Gajendiran, secretary of Adair Owners Association and an information technology professional, who designed the website.

Associations with not-so-tech-savvy members are taking help to design the online platform. Bangalore-based start-up www.CommonFloor.com claims to have its presence in 22 cities.

In Chennai, the company has designed the online apartment management tool for around 1,500 communities, where services like maintenance fee tracker, issue tracker, SMS reminders for active residents and owners’ association members come installed. Online communities help address issues effectively, particularly when members have no time to attend association meetings.

“We are not involved in the day-to-day operations, but help communities manage their resources actively, connect them to other apartments,” says Sumit Jain, co-founder, CommonFloor.com.

“It is not possible for most residents to meet up and discuss an issue, and we have seen about 80 per cent of our clients getting more accessible online,” says Mr. Jain.

Ceebros Mayfair Owners and Residents, Velachery, and YS Enclave Owners and Residents, Virugambakkam, are among those using technology to stay connected .

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