Right to Manage – Block Management – Part 2

Well, last week (12th May 2010) I wrote a blog saying we had instigated a right to manage (RTM) process – click here to see it.

I am pleased to say the response has been phenomenal. I am always a little apprehensive when starting a process like this, even though you strongly believe it is the correct thing to do, you worry whether others will reply and commit money. It’s a bit like having a party then thinking nobody will turn up!

To recap, we (Young Group) wrote to all the leaseholders in a block asking them to support a RTM process. This was due to our belief that a new managing agent would run the development more efficiently with a lower service charge over time. The Housing Association who own a block on the site have already given their support. Well so far, with have had a positive reply from over 60% of the private leaseholders – considering there are over 100 apartments this is fantastic. So we are significantly over the threshold.

What has been pleasing is not only the number of leaseholders that have supported our action but the appreciation that we have taken the lead. Some have given reasons for their support – see below – others have said that they trust Young Group’s judgement that this action is required. Below are some quotes from the comments leaseholders have given (without our asking for views):

“XXXX [current managing agent] have been utterly useless in just about every respect and I’d be very happy to see them go.”

“They are a disgrace [the current managing agent]. They never responded to emails or voicemails. I actually got in contact with the Ops Director directly to get a response. They also told my mortgage provider that I hadn’t paid them monies which my mortgage company then paid but also took money from me for the same payment. This is taking hours and hours of my time to resolve, made worse by the fact that XXXX are denying they ever contacted my mortgage provider (my mortgage provider has sent me all the details). The sooner they are rid of the better.”

“I will go with whatever you recommend.”

“You only have to google the name [of the current managing agent] to read half a dozen horror stories of excessive charges and tardy or otherwise inadequate responses to customers’ communications.”

“As I have never been impressed with XXXX [current managing agent] I am very willing to support you on the RTM.”

“They have been given a chance and resoundingly failed. Thank you Young Group for taking the baton and dealing with it – you have my full support as always!”

Some strong feelings out there.

To be continued . . . why not sign up by subscribing - on the right hand nav below tweets.

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