Three members of Coldwell Banker Bermuda Realty have successfully completed the requirements for a US-based accreditation for property managers of commercial and condominium complexes.

Mike Chlebek, Sharika Tucci and Suzanne Stones have each been named a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) by the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM).

They join more than 6,500 CMCA certificants in the US who have demonstrated the professional knowledge that is key to managing condominium and homeowner associations and cooperatives.

"Bermuda Realty has brought this certification to Bermuda in the hopes of improving the standards of service for condominium associations/owners and commercial landlords." said Paul Matthews, professional services manager for Bermuda Realty. "To obtain and maintain the CMCA credential, a property manager must complete comprehensive course work, pass a National Certification Examination, adhere to the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct, and take continuing education courses to recertify."

NBC-CAM is the first and only organisation geared towards certifying community association managers and to help consumers identify managers who have demonstrated fundamental competency and knowledge in their profession.

With the dramatic increase in association-governed housing in Bermuda since the late 1980's there has been an increased need for education in community association management.

Professional managers provide administrative, operational and managerial counsel to community association board of directors. They are typically responsible for managing budgets and contractors, directing association personnel, and overseeing compliance with association covenants and restrictions.