Stated That The Flat Management Company

Q: In a nutshell, I live in a block of 6 privately owned flats. They are now just over two yeards old and the contract I signed upon purchase stated that the flat management company (I'll call it X) would be tied in for two years, all bills are split between 12 flats as there is another sepatate block but this is counted as 'one'. Since new each resident has paid about ??64/month for the upkeep, this incl. buildings insuracnce and 'common parts' electricity. Just recently a 'large' invoice has been sent which for the next 6 months (billed 2x/year in advance) works out at about ??87/month. It turns out that some repairs that are justified were carried out (fair enough). However, we have been overcharged by the electricity company as a meter has been based on an estimate, not an actual reading. The insurace costs last year were about ??1400 total, just over ??100/flat, which is about right. However this year the bill was ??2300 (no claims have been made). I obtained an insurance quote myself and was given ??1500, a lot better than ??2300. Speaking to the management company, I got the impression that there were delighted I had a cheaper quote and would like me to send them the details. I pointed out that surly it is there job to get us the best quote and to have investigated the excessive electricity bill. The responce I got was this would significantly push up the management fees, seems unreasoable as investigating the electricity and insurance took me just 0.5 hour. I spoke to the builders, who are the landlords. They were concerned and pointed out that we the residents employee the management company. I believe that legally we (the residents) have a right to manage. We are not particularly keen on this due to the work involved and don't mind paying a management company but we feel we are not getting the best service. Also, I have just remortgaged and had to pay the management company a fee for their permission to remortgage as the solicitor infored me there was a restricition on the property in favour of X. I can understand the restriction in terms of moving, so that they can ensure that all monies have been paid, but in terms of remortgaging this seems unfair. I could see no reference in the contract to this restriction, though I may have missed it - is there anything I can do about this.

A: Question: I spoke to the builders, who are the landlords. They were concerned and pointed out that we the residents employee the management company. Answer: List of managing agents - Association of Residential Managing Agents - http://www.arma.org.uk/ Question: I believe that legally we (the residents) have a right to manage. We are not particularly keen on this due to the work involved and don't mind paying a management company but we feel we are not getting the best service. Answer: Talk to LEASE. Question: Also, I have just remortgaged and had to pay the management company a fee for their permission to remortgage as the solicitor infored me there was a restricition on the property in favour of X. I can understand the restriction in terms of moving, so that they can ensure that all monies have been paid, but in terms of remortgaging this seems unfair. Answer: Was it a caution or charge on the property ? If so it should not have been placed without you being informed, and should only be used to secure a debt to the property. Do a ??2 check at the Land Registry to find out. Links to sites mentioned are on my webpage - http://mysite.freeserve.com/quickhelp/property.htm

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