Issues now freehold bought, what to do?

600600

My mother bought share of freehold of the flat where she lives 2 years ago, thinking that this would be beneficial for the value and maintenance of the flats.

Since then things have gone down, the flats are run by a residents committee that comprises of just 3 residents. Each representing the 3 blocks of a total of 30 flats. They're make decisions without consulting the residents and are treating it as if they own the whole block of flats and actually believe they have more rights. The management company only listens to them and the place has become an unpleasant environment and service charge has gone up significantly because of these three.

Most of the residents are elderly hence why no one else has been able to join the committee. Apart from leaving is there anything she can do, she has approached them on several occasions only to be ignored.

Many Thanks

G_M

Contact the leasehold advisory service for advice.

Ulfar

She can insist on being made a member of the committee, get others also to join.Once you have a more representative committee things can be managed more sensibly.

I have been a member of one of these residents committees before, it started of as you described. However a load of us joined and made sure things were run in a much more organized and sensible fashion. An example of this was we had a rather large sinking fund that had been put in an account earning no interest, we had this changed and all incidental expenses were covered by the interest resulting in a lower service charge.

It does take up some of your time and can lead to some people being upset that you are seen to be interfering.

A quick tip if you and others join, if a meeting looks like getting bogged down on an issue give everyone who wants a say a couple of minutes be firm about the timing and then hold a vote. Make sure the vote result is minuted and then that action is taken in accordance with what is agreed.

600600

Many thanks for the replies.
My mother is unable to join the committee as she is elderly, which I think is the problem as most resident are in those flats and the three in the residents committee take advantage of this.
Spoke to the leasehold advisory and the person was not to sure, but thought joining the committee the only solution.
Was thinking of contacting arma as the management company is a member maybe they could act as arbitrators?
Unhappy days for my mum:(