Factors, Insurance or Us?? Advice and comments please

goodmorningsunshine

History (sorry so long, but need to give you all the facts)
4 Flats in a block - all bought, same factors and building insurance

1. Oct/Nov 2013 - letter recd from factors stating a property maintenance report will be sent to us within the next few weeks

2. 6/12/13 letter recd from factors stating owner reported fault, so maintenance will assess, and if poss, will complete it at this visit. They will send a bill itemising full breakdown.

3. 17/12/13 letter recd from factors -
Storm Damage to Property
Your property has recently suffered damage that we believe may be related to the extreme stormy weather.

.... we have authorised our contractor to proceed with the work required for health and safety reasons and to prevent further damage to the building.

Your property is insured by ... and storm damage is covered ....
Contact insurers on .... quoting policy no ...... There is a 75.00 excess per customer.

Once the work is completed we will send you a bill. ... you should forward them a copy of your bill to allow them to assess the settlement due.

1. No Property Mainenance Report
2. No Work carried out
3. No work carried out

Around 10 days ago, one of my neighbours said someone arrived to look at the damage, said it wasn't covered under insurance and would cost around ..... each. We have nothing in writting as yet.

On Sunday a neighbour came to me, saying the factors stated
she needs to get all 4 owners signature before they would send someone out to give a quote. This letter states ..... as this is an owner lead repair ...... all 4 signatures are required before we will give a quote.

Since when do you need a signature for a quote ?? Sorry but this makes me very suspicious.

What do you think? Obviously need advice/comments/guidance as what to do next.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

wiogs

Is the neighbour now attempting to organise these repairs rather than the factor?
A quote does not need all four signatures, whereas the repairs may well need them

bris

Get your own quotes, do not trust the factors to look after your interests, the difference can be staggering as to what you can get and what the factors will get.

You also need to ask why the damage is not covered by the insurance, storm damage is usually covered by buildings insurance.

goodmorningsunshine

wiogs wrote: »

Is the neighbour now attempting to organise these repairs rather than the factor?

The neighbour has stated the factors require all signatures for a quote, and that she will also phone a couple of firms for a quote.

A quote does not need all four signatures, whereas the repairs may well need them

Thats what I thought - the way the letter is worded is causing me concern ....Owner lead repair ....

They cannot go ahead with any repairs over 200.00 each without first writing to us for authority to go ahead.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for confirming.

goodmorningsunshine

bris wrote: »

Get your own quotes, do not trust the factors to look after your interests, the difference can be staggering as to what you can get and what the factors will get.

We have heard nothing, apart from the letters stating they
would be sending someone out to assess, instructed contractors to carry out the work ...

You also need to ask why the damage is not covered by the insurance, storm damage is usually covered by buildings insurance.

The person who visited around 10 days ago said it was "wear and tear"

goodmorningsunshine

Anyone else like to advise / comment?