Freehold Management Company not playing fair

Landlord Ken Tinkler has written in as he thinks his Freehold Management Company are treating him unfairly.

What do you think?

Have you ever been in a similar position and what would your advice be to Ken?

Please see Ken’s email to Mark Alexander and Property118 readers below:-

“Dear Mark

I have an apartment on the 11^th floor of a purpose built modern block of flats, which is professionally managed. Just before Christmas a pipe burst in the corridor immediately above my apartment and caused extensive damage and a great deal of inconvenience to the tenants. Buildings insurance covered the cost of replacing the laminated flooring and contents insurance covered the cost of replacing the carpets and other things. I had a £250 excess on my contents insurance, which I am trying to recover from the managing agents, but they are refusing to pay. They say that although they were responsible for the pipe that burst, they were not negligent and it was just one of those things that happens.

 Similarly I have repaid my tenants rent for 1 week when they felt they had to move out, and also given them a further weeks refund for the significant inconvenience they suffered for a month over the Christmas period. I think the managing agents should pay this but they are refusing,  as they say the tenants did not have to move out. I find this very difficult to accept bearing in mind that there was no floor covering and de-humidifiers were going 24/7 for over a week.

Surely neither I, as landlord, or my tenants should have to suffer for something that was neither our fault, and over which we had no control.

If you, or any of your readers, have any guidance I would be very grateful.

Thanks

Ken Tinkler”