Service charge hike?

Service charge hike?

11:14 AM, 17th June 2019, About 5 years ago 25

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I own a couple of properties where First Port are the property managers, but they seem to be raising service charges at an incredible rate.

As an example over the last 2 years the annual charge has gone from circa £1,100, which I thought was already quite high, to £1,600 which is crazy.

Is there something I can do, or rather is there a good way to question this with them as I’m concerned that at this rate the property will be unsalable in the future.

Many thanks

Mark

 


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Dylan Morris

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10:24 AM, 18th June 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Richard Adams at 18/06/2019 - 10:16
Yes it depends on your situation. If an RMC (residents management company) was formed at the outset then the residents are appointed directors and will arrange the insurance. And appoint a management company to run the site. Like you say you can hire them or fire them, so have total control.
However in Mark’s development he says there is a Managing Agent appointed by the freeholder. So there is no RMC and the freeholder directly runs the site, appoints the agent and the freeholder is responsible for arranging the buildings insurance hence why in most cases the insurance premium is jacked up.

Dylan Morris

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10:28 AM, 18th June 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Mark Lynham at 18/06/2019 - 10:18
They should automatically be sending you a copy of the service charge accounts, you shouldn’t have to request them. These have to be issued within 6 months of the year end, otherwise if there is a delay a Section 20 notice (informing of the delay) has to be issued to all leaseholders by the managing agent.

Mark Lynham

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10:38 AM, 18th June 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Richard Adams at 18/06/2019 - 10:05
thanks Richard, good point about AGM, i'll have a look at that... they do have a representative that visits the 'site' and we can air concerens on maintenance but maybe the next time she is there i should go meet her to air concerns on the service charge hikes that have been happening.

Dylan Morris

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10:48 AM, 18th June 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Mark Lynham at 18/06/2019 - 10:38
If there is no RMC in place and the situation is as you say Mark simply run by the freeholder, then you will not be a shareholder (as there is no limited company set up to manage the site) and hence there will be no AGM for you to attend.

Martin Roberts

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10:56 AM, 18th June 2019, About 5 years ago

First Port is a reincarnation of Peverell.

A quick Google will reveal a lot. 😕

Mark Weedon

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10:57 AM, 18th June 2019, About 5 years ago

It's not easy but you could form an RTM company and take over the management of the block.
We have flat which First Port manage and lets just say they are not very good.

Gracie

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11:13 AM, 18th June 2019, About 5 years ago

Such is the joy of the unregulated managing agent market!
Laws need to change and you can join the cause. Unfortunately the consultations are passed, but you can still support the petitions.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/238071
https://www.property118.com/support-abolition-leasehold-favour-commonhold/

Mark Lynham

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11:16 AM, 18th June 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Martin Roberts at 18/06/2019 - 10:56
oh i know....

Gracie

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11:16 AM, 18th June 2019, About 5 years ago

This is this one that you can do
https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/leasehold

And keep an eye on these groups, any new consultations and requests for info are always talked about here
https://www.leaseholdknowledge.com/
https://nationalleaseholdcampaign.org/ (on facebook too)

Mark Lynham

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11:29 AM, 18th June 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Gracie at 18/06/2019 - 11:16
thanks Gracie, i'll have a look at those!

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