GEM Estate Management

mlawrence728

Hi

GEM estate management run the maintenance contract for my flats. They were chosen by the property developers when first built. The fees have gone up 35% in 2 years which is nice for them as they take an 18% cut on all outlay as commission. Building insurance went up 40% in a year! needless to say I doubt they shopped around for a better quote. They do not have our best interest at heart, they are out to line their own pockets.

Now the grass is not being mown and they are not responding to any contact being made.

Who regulate property management companies so I can make a formal complaint?

thanks in advance for your help

Mr L

propertyman

You may feel that they are lining tier own pocket but for the service that they arrange as agents they are entitled to be paid a fee.
Whether that fee or the services that are provided as section 19 of the Landlord and tenant Act 1985 sets out as fair and reasonable is matter of examination, not "its gone up 40% therefore I want to complain 'cos it must be wrong".

It might be that the insurance has increased because of poor claim history or that the declared value was too low which is not uncommon with developers, as much as it might be agents loading premiums with commission.

Services that are budgeted for and not provided may be because you haven't paid....

that they are not replying is that your complaints like the post are based on what you think is right and not how service charges run which is usually paying in advance on estimated basis giving them funds to carry out works and accounting at the end of the year for the actual expense.

When people stop paying they often get ignored until the situation becomes a nightmare.

If you take a look at my stickies here especially on rights to accounts this will be helpful in getting access to information and records to start teh argument.

As always getting others to pitch is helpful as after all all that you want is the services provided for a sensible costs ,and for increases to be genuine and explained. If you cant get that from GEM then the estate needs to look at right to manage.

http://www.lease-advice.org/publications/documents/document.asp?item=21