Managing agents leasehold.

MarcH

Hello


This is quiet fresh in my mind and please can someone help me understand.
I will try and give as much info as possible.


Basically I live in a apartment on a privately owned plot of land and we pay for a managing agent.
I own the property.


I recently woke up to discover a 20 foot sink hole underneath the block of flats. The fire brigade evacuated 26 flats and we are now told we cannot enter the building until further notice. This is not a problem as it is quiet clearly dangerous. My worry is when I retuned to collect some things I overheard some disputes between different party's about who's responsibly it is.
My question . Are the managing agents there to represent the land owner or the tenants?
Do we need legal advise on the behalf of the tenants?
or do I just ring my insurance company and let them deal with it?


Bit lost


Thanks.... Marc

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Are you in the UK, your terminology hints you might not be?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The managing agent represents the freeholder or landlord, organising the services the landlord is responsible for and collecting ground rent, insurance and service charges from you the tenant.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The landlord would normally be responsible for repairing the structure of the building but re-charge the cost to the tenants.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Its hopefully possible the damage caused by the sink hole is covered by the building insurance.[/FONT]

MarcH

Hello tom


Yes I am in The UK. It made the news. The building is covered by one insurance policy. I have started receiving letters giving me updates on what is happening. Apparently the insurance loss estimators were there yesterday.
I think my main issue is, I trust the managing agents to cut the grass and change the light bulbs. I am not sure I am happy with them dealing with essentially the outcome of my home.
The letter I received included a lot of maybe's and could be's.
If it was my car I would speak directly to the insurer.


Thanks for your reply tom


Marc

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Do you know if the interests of the leaseholders is noted on the policy?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]How many flats involved? Can you get together with the other flat owners and organise some sort of joint representation to the loss adjuster in order to put any queries and questions you have to them in a coordinated way?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Re your own insurance company, I assume your cover is for contents only?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Are the tenant's going to incur alternative accommodation costs? Is that going to be covered by the building insurance?[/FONT]

MarcH

There are 21 flats rehoused. Currently most family's have been promised three days so I am assuming this is just emergency housing. We are trying to arrange a meeting, but I think its just with managing agents. I will try and push for loss adjuster to attend. I am not sure that I have access to the insurance policy and any policy I have is currently in the flat that I am not allowed to enter.
Thanks for your advice. At least I now have a way forward.