managing agents not carrying out work

lupetto_2

Hi, I live in a block of flates where we collectively own the freehold. We have an external company that takes care of the management - we pay service charge and they look after repairs, maintenance, file our accounts etc. Now for the past few months their service has become very poor. In particular we have some broken lights in communal areas and and it's taking them forever to fix them. If something happens as a consequence of poor lighting (say someone trips over) can we sue the managing agents? we have a trail of emails stretching for months. And the lease clearly states that common parts must be properly lit. Thanks

keystone

lupetto wrote: »

Hi, I live in a block of flates where we collectively own the freehold. We have an external company that takes care of the management

Then they work for you, you pay their wages and they should fulfll their part of the contract between you. Fire them and get another - or at least threaten to. Check if you are within your rights to withold payments until they perform.

Cheers

lupetto_2

Payments cover a lot of things -last but not leat they go to a sinking fund- so if people withdrew them, that would damage us all, not just the managing agents. We are indeed considering firing them, but in the meantime I'd think the danger of legal action could also give them a push. That's why I was asking.