Management Company Issues

[Callughan]

I have a property that I rent out. The Management Company that run the block are a nightmare.

Over a year ago there was a fire in the kitchen, when I spoke to the Management Company they said the building insurance included in the Service charge would cover some of the fire. Just send the Estimate and Invoice pay for the work and we will reimburse you.

Subsequently they say they lost the paperwork a total of five times, this included the Fire Incident report and pictures.

They consistently ignore my phone calls, email, faxes, registered mail.

I was fed up frustrated with their service and being out of pocket and went to the AGM and confronted the Property Manager in front of the Director who said they would sort it out. Still they haven't!

This Company is a joke they ask for SAE to send the receipts for the Service Charge back they don't. This is needed for my tax returns.

I recently asked them if a potential tenant could put a dish on the building they said they have to find out and still after three weeks with me chasing every second day no news. They say its not a priority for the Directors. I explained that this was urgent,I am asking out of courtesy as I want to do things by the book and other tenants have put dishes on the roof. As a result I lost the tenant and he had been the only one interested in a long time.

The Service charge request has now come in(£3k) and I have previously warned them that I will not pay until things are not sorted out.

However I do not want to break the law, or have to take this to tribunal etc if possible but not sure what else I can do.

Any experience or advise on how to deal with this?

Many Thanks

Edited by Callughan on Tuesday 24th March 12:07

[jamesuk28]

You can sack them. If enough of the leaseholders agree 75% I think you can boot them out. You can IIRC purchase the freehold as well if the freehold owners are not performing.

Contact the leasehold advisory service.

[Callughan]

jamesuk28 said:

You can sack them. If enough of the leaseholders agree 75% I think you can boot them out. You can IIRC purchase the freehold as well if the freehold owners are not performing.

Contact the leasehold advisory service.

Thanks this may be what will happen there has been so many management companies in the past. There has also been talk regarding buying the freehold. In the meantime after advice I have paid service charge 'under protest' and still on their case to sort things out.

[jamesuk28]

Callughan said:

jamesuk28 said:

You can sack them. If enough of the leaseholders agree 75% I think you can boot them out. You can IIRC purchase the freehold as well if the freehold owners are not performing.

Contact the leasehold advisory service.

Thanks this may be what will happen there has been so many management companies in the past. There has also been talk regarding buying the freehold. In the meantime after advice I have paid service charge 'under protest' and still on their case to sort things out.

If you have paid a service charge, yet not had the services charged for, ie cleaning, gardening etc then you are entitled to a refund. You did the right thing by paying the charge as you may have found yourself in the forfeiture of lease area.

Request that the management company refund all or part of the service charge or you will issue a county court summons in 7 days, it may be a good idea to club together with other tennants and launch a class action.