Factors fees Scotland

Polly05

Hi, 
I have a social housing company as a factor. They have been a nightmare the whole time. There is no routine maintenance like gardening or anything, but we pay a fee every month just for administration. If any work needs done, that's extra. 
Anyway, I am now selling my property and they have decided that there is a £90 administration fee for this.  Does this sound standard? I don't trust them due to previous issues. I feel like they are making it up as they go. 
Thanks

davidmcn

Yes, it's utterly standard for there to be a fee for the admin involved in a change of ownership. £90 is light compared with the hundreds often charged for the equivalent down south.

gld73

Agree with the above reply. I used to live in England and had to pay over £300 for the minimal admin required to change the name on their records. An absolute rip off but they can charge what they want. Having done the same with a flat in Scotland, I was charged under £100. Still a rip off in my opinion, but a bit less galling!

theartfullodger

Read this from the experts in these matters.... (long and detailed, but worth going through)

http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/repairs_and_bad_conditions/repairs_and_maintenance_in_common_areas/property_managers_and_factors

& these fine folk...

http://govanlc.blogspot.com/p/property-factors.html

Slàinte mhath!

Shazcampbell13

I have an issue with my external window vents on my property, and have asked for my factor to fix for me. They say it's my issue. I stated that it would be down to the builders, as its a fault. And they've told me to speak with them. 
I pay the factor £75 a month, and then extra costs on top of this.
Should they not be dealing with it? 

user1977

Shazcampbell13 said:

I have an issue with my external window vents on my property, and have asked for my factor to fix for me. They say it's my issue. I stated that it would be down to the builders, as its a fault. And they've told me to speak with them. 
I pay the factor £75 a month, and then extra costs on top of this.
Should they not be dealing with it? 

Your windows are your property, the factors are only going to be responsible for common property (e.g. windows on a communal staircase).

theartfullodger

See
https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/legal/courts_and_legal_action/alternative_dispute_resolution_adr

### Role of the Scottish Housing Regulator

The Scottish Housing Regulator regulate the provision of the social rented housing sector in Scotland. They aim to protect the interests of

• tenants of social landlords
• homeless people
• gypsy travellers and
• owner occupiers who receive factoring services from a registered social landlord.

They do not have a role in dealing with individual complaints, however they may take action if there are concerns that a registered social landlord has a ‘significant performance failure’.

For example this may be where a landlord:

• fails to carry out health and safety requirements, such as annual gas safety checks;
• is not maintaining tenants’ homes or carrying out repairs in line with its legislative duties and published policies;
• fails to have appropriate governance and financial procedures in place or apply them or
• does not consult tenants about issues such as proposed rent increases and other policies that affect tenants.

Details of their remit can be found on the Scottish Housing Regulator website.  ####

And...
http://govanlc.blogspot.com/p/property-factors.html

Slàinte mhath!