Advice needed on how to deal with a building management company who won't fix our front door

gcpbuyer

Hi 

I own a leasehold in a building and the magnetic lock on the front door to our building is broken. 

We have drug users coming in and doing drugs in our stairwell, urinating, and stealing packages. 

The building management company (a large one) have a ridiculous 28-working day lead time to fix the door, and this is the second time we've had this happen in the past month? Having a front door that locks is surely a basic and fundamental service they should provide. 

What can I do about this legally? Complain to the ombudsman, sure. But is there anything else I can do?

Thanks

Leesabee1

You could raise it with your local MP, use social media or contact a director to try and get some attention to your cause. 

HampshireH

Log the antisocial behaviour with police online then cite your CRN to your management company in writing.

Are they in breach of the building insurance by putting it at risk due to repairs taking that long?

Find out. Many block insurance policies will require the building to be secure.

If so raise your concerns about the insurance being invalidated and the increased risk due to unwanted non residents using the communal areas.

Most companies offer a two their repair service. Emergency and routine. Push for this to fit the emergency category.

Of course if they are waiting on parts that's a different matter such as if you are linked up on intercom and automatic release etc but if it's just a case of a replacement lock ....

firsttimesellerldn

Who is the freeholder of the building - can you speak to them about poor service from the management co? Ultimately the freeholder is the one with a legal responsibility for repairs to communal areas. (Assuming it’s not under a right to manage structure - if it is speak to the residents management company)

gcpbuyer

firsttimesellerldn said:

Who is the freeholder of the building - can you speak to them about poor service from the management co? Ultimately the freeholder is the one with a legal responsibility for repairs to communal areas. (Assuming it’s not under a right to manage structure - if it is speak to the residents management company)

Looks like the company down as landlord is actually a subsidiary of the larger building management company. I'm not sure how that would work complaining to them?

gcpbuyer

HampshireH said:

Log the antisocial behaviour with police online then cite your CRN to your management company in writing.

Are they in breach of the building insurance by putting it at risk due to repairs taking that long?

Find out. Many block insurance policies will require the building to be secure.

If so raise your concerns about the insurance being invalidated and the increased risk due to unwanted non residents using the communal areas.

Most companies offer a two their repair service. Emergency and routine. Push for this to fit the emergency category.

Of course if they are waiting on parts that's a different matter such as if you are linked up on intercom and automatic release etc but if it's just a case of a replacement lock .....

Thanks - I'll have a look at the policy and see if I can find anything. 

There's social housing block connected to our building. Last year once of the doors leading into the stairwell was broken and local junkies and vandals ruined the place. Dealing drugs, spray painting walls and security cameras, kicking holes in walls, pulling town ceiling tiles, burning the walls with lighters. 

It wasn't repaired for a year and a half...presumably because social housing tenants are easier to fob off? Or perhaps they don't complain as much as leaseholders? It really is in an awful state and the crazy thing is they haven't fixed it yet. It's all there to be seen...

HampshireH

gcpbuyer said:

HampshireH said:

Log the antisocial behaviour with police online then cite your CRN to your management company in writing.

Are they in breach of the building insurance by putting it at risk due to repairs taking that long?

Find out. Many block insurance policies will require the building to be secure.

If so raise your concerns about the insurance being invalidated and the increased risk due to unwanted non residents using the communal areas.

Most companies offer a two their repair service. Emergency and routine. Push for this to fit the emergency category.

Of course if they are waiting on parts that's a different matter such as if you are linked up on intercom and automatic release etc but if it's just a case of a replacement lock .....

Thanks - I'll have a look at the policy and see if I can find anything. 

There's social housing block connected to our building. Last year once of the doors leading into the stairwell was broken and local junkies and vandals ruined the place. Dealing drugs, spray painting walls and security cameras, kicking holes in walls, pulling town ceiling tiles, burning the walls with lighters. 

It wasn't repaired for a year and a half...presumably because social housing tenants are easier to fob off? Or perhaps they don't complain as much as leaseholders? It really is in an awful state and the crazy thing is they haven't fixed it yet. It's all there to be seen...

Sounds like a lovely area 🤣 joking aside if no one reported it it won't get done.