Property News · February 19, 2011

Sack your property manager for a new lease of life


Last week Guardian Money highlighted claims of overcharging and poor support by Britain’s biggest property management firm. But if you have been having similar problems, what can you do?The number of disputes across the country over service charges is rising fast, with the last official tribunal figures showing a 25% increase in cases. Critics say challenging a property management company or freeholder through a tribunal can be legally demanding and personally exhausting. But there are lots of resources now available to assist leaseholders, from government-funded independent bodies and campaigning groups through to commercial organisations, that will help oust existing property managers – if you appoint them instead.Get together Call a meeting of fellow leaseholders, assess the level of concern, and find out who is (really) willing to assist in a challenge. Try to establish who the other leaseholders are (many properties will be sub-let) and form an association. You can obtain formal recognition as a “Recognised Tenants’ Association” (RTA), which can be set up by apartment blocks of any size and have the right to be consulted about such things as proposed works, contractors etc. The Federation of Private Residents Associations can be contacted on 0871 200 3324. Continue reading…

Source : theguardian.com
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