Managing Agent trying to charge us £1k :(

rich24uk

We had a letter through a few months back explaining that the managing agent for our flat wanted to do some repairs/decoration work on our windows. Apparently in order to fund this they are looking to charge each flat up to 1k.

They are being really difficult about it, I am in Essex and it seems they are doing everything possible to make sure people cannot voice an opinion. The consultation period lasted for 4 weeks during which the contact went on holiday for a fortnight, all of the plans for the work are in central london, they have arranged a meeting to discuss this on a weekday at 2 pm (when everyone is at work) in a hall where there are no chairs (they have explained that we need to bring our own) Everything seems to be stacked against us:(

In addition to all of this we are in the process of selling and I am not sure if we need to tell the buyer about this?

Doozergirl

You can voice your opinion by writing a letter; your managing agent has to, by law, reply to all concerns or 'observations' I think they call them - there's no need to meet face to face at all.

You are entitled to obtain your own quotes for the work and to submit them to the managing agent. When they have all quotes quotes, the managing agent should send them to you with a Section 20 notice, again asking for observations.

For the sake of £1000 when you're trying to sell, I'd just pay rather than start a fight with the managing agent. You have to inform your buyer of impending works and with details of any disputes. If the bill arrives beforehand, I'd pay up; if it's going to happen after completion, I'd leave £500to cover half.

There's really no gain in upsetting buyers by introducing them to the world of managing agents before they're ready.

rich24uk

Thanks for your advice. This has really been bugging me, I guess its just the fruition of my anger at the fact our managing agents have been pretty poor ones over the past few years. We have already taken a drop on the asking price but I guess we could offer £500 towards this if needed (we wont actually be there when the work is carried out)