Management Agency letting my tenant down!

Management Agency letting my tenant down!

10:16 AM, 16th August 2014, About 10 years ago 8

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I am really distressed as my tenants (a lovely lady with a young son) have asked for early release (which I have granted) because she does not feel safe. Management Agency letting my tenant down

The problem is not the flat itself – she loves it. However, the blocks entrance is flimsy. It has been broken into twice in three months. The intercom does not work, although the management agency claim they have fixed it three times recently.

My questions is what steps can I take to ensure the Management Agency replaces the door , as it has break-in damage, a cracked window and is flimsy, and replace the intercom with one that works?

I live in Cyprus and have just returned here after visiting the flat and can see everything the ex-tenant is saying is true.

The Landlord of the flats has employed this Management Agency. My Estate Agent who I let the flat through have asked and asked but to no avail. When I ask they say they have done it but when I check with the Estate Agent it has not been done.

Also, I asked for the hallway to be decorated as it is a mess. They said they did it but on enquiry from the tenant – they had not!

I want to be more than a good landlady and not ask my tenants to live in conditions that I would not live in myself.

Please help!

Thanks

Deborah


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Comments

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

10:19 AM, 16th August 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi Deborah

If you can get enough of the other leaseholders on your side there are opportunities to have a legal mutiny, either for an aggressive purchase of the freehold amongst the leaseholders or to force a change of management company.

Have you spoken to any of the other owners?

I have invited Cotswold Barristers to comment on this matter as they have a specialist who can help with this.
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Deborah Smith

11:32 AM, 16th August 2014, About 10 years ago

Thank you Mark. I have been on the phone to the Management Company yet again today. The person I spoke to wasn't keen to speak and promises the Manager will email me Monday. She told me they are employed by the Leaseholder of the flats to Manage only two of the flats mine and another. There are eight flats altogether.

All flats seem to be rented just like mine. I gather therefore that I have to find out who manages the other six flats and then try to get all Management Companies together.

A difficult job to do out here in Cyprus but after seeing the inadequate situation the tenants (not just mine) are putting up with I am going to do my best to sort for them.

Thank you so much for your response - really appreciate your time.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

12:22 PM, 16th August 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Deborah Smith" at "16/08/2014 - 11:32":

Hi Deborah

Tracking down the other six owners is neither expisive not difficult, even from Cyprus. If will cost you £3 per search (£18 in total) via HM Land Registry - see >>> http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/public/property-ownership
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Deborah Smith

12:51 PM, 16th August 2014, About 10 years ago

Wow. Thank you so much. I will be following your advise.

Thank you so much.

Adrian Jones

9:24 AM, 17th August 2014, About 10 years ago

I suppose witholding service charge payments is an option. Given the performance of this Management Company I would also be concerned about other aspects of their responsibilty, particularly buildings insurance cover. I would suggest asking for a copy.

If you have the landlord/freeholders contact address I would also copy him details of every email, letter, phone call to the Management Company.

Good luck.

Deborah Smith

17:04 PM, 17th August 2014, About 10 years ago

Luckily, the insurance is a document I insisted they send me so I have evidence of the insurance. Thank you for suggesting this and taking the time to comment.

I am going to insist on evidence of the hall being decorated which they claim happened in May (no way did this happen!) and the leak which is coming from outside into the flat that they also claim they fixed in May (it is still leaking!).

My poor ex-tenant has had such a bad experience being in my flat. She has now left and I have a new tenant but I just know I am about to go through the same thing again.

Mark Smith Head of Chambers Cotswold Barristers

10:00 AM, 18th August 2014, About 10 years ago

There are many steps that can be taken, including asking the MCo for their records and receipts for work, asking for an audit, taking them to the Tribunal for a ruling on what is fair and reasonable for past and current demands for service charge, or even the self - help route of demanding work and then applying to the County Court for an order that you do the work and withhold the cost from the service charge.

The best option depends on the value of the works involved and how many tenants/owners you can marshal in support. Please feel free to contact me for advice once you have this information to hand.

Mark Smith

Adrian Jones

12:46 PM, 18th August 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Deborah Smith" at "17/08/2014 - 17:04":

Hi Deborah. If they say they had the hall decorated and fixed the leak no doubt the cost will have been met from service charges. If they haven't done any of this work and taking money then I think you are looking at fraud.

As I said earlier I would copy all info to the landlord/freeholder.

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