Gateway property management

PlumLuck

I was wondering if anyone had any experience here with Gateway property management? We're looking at buying a new build and they are the company that the develop is appointing to maintain the shared areas.
They get bad reviews on trust pilot but I'm not sure if it makes a difference that they'd be managing shared areas on an estate of freehold houses rather than them say, managing a block of leasehold flats as most of the reviews seem to refer to.

Looking for both the good and the bad!

richardwilson1984

I had the unfortunate experience of them managing my block of 32 flats - based over two blocks of 16.

I can’t help in gaining an understanding of what they’d do for a managed estate, but for managing a block they were appalling.

Work never got done - I have countless examples, really - despite paying the ever-increasing service charge. 

When I had a leak in my flat caused from above, they were useless and had no information about who owned/lived in properties above to help. Surely a basic detail of a managing agent is to manage?

When quizzed on spending receipts for transparency, I never received any. 

I had countless calls/ emails with them that demonstrated how they lied, and openly lied, about work and promises they’d make. 

Their final parting gift to residents was a section 20 demand for £2,000 for internal redecoration to include painting and carpets etc. Take in mind 32 flats x £2k, and all we got was a bloke painting the hallways and doors for a fortnight and all the money had gone. 

A scandalous bunch of cowboys operating in the Wild West world that is managing agents. I’m a fair person, so for balance, they were always quick at issuing payment requests. They really excelled at asking for money.

all the best 

sarahame

I know this is an old thread but just wondered if anyone else had any further experience of gateway. I bought a new build house 3 years ago. Gateway have now taken over the management of the few green spaces on the state but seem to charge a lot for very little work. They are now trying to increase fees because children are playing football on the green spaces and are refusing to empty bins.