Xifeng tackles residential community governance challenges

This year, Xifeng county has introduced a series of measures to address some nagging issues – including frequent property management complaints, unclear fee collection, and difficulties in supervising shared revenues – by establishing homeowners' organizations, standardizing property management, and promoting joint supervision accounts and credit transparency codes.

The challenges faced include frequent property management complaints, unclear fee collection rates, and difficulties in supervising shared revenues.

A staff member cleans the grounds of the Country Garden Community in Xifeng. [Photo/xifeng.gov.cn]

"Previously, we didn't know where our property fees went, and there was nowhere to turn when services fell short," said Wang Songmin, a resident of Jinyucheng Community in Xifeng. Once frustrated with property management, he is now actively involved in community affairs.

Through a joint meeting mechanism involving homeowners, homeowners' committees and property companies, Xifeng has resolved 63 issues and completed 38 community service projects already this year.

The county also launched joint supervision accounts – jointly managed by community Party organizations, homeowners' committees, and property companies – to oversee shared revenues. So far, 20 communities have opened dedicated accounts, recovering 202,300 yuan ($29,870) in shared funds.

Meanwhile, Xifeng has promoted credit transparency codes, which allow residents to check property companies' credit ratings, service evaluations and financial information. Since the reforms were implemented, property-related complaints across the county have dropped by 22 percent year-on-year.