Newly set up Residents Association - how to get Management Company to formally recognize it?

mertywerty

Hi all, I'm looking for advice on getting a newly formed Residents Association for a block for flats formally recognized by the managing company, has anyone here ever gone through this process or know about it? 

The questions are: 

1.  How long does / should it take a management company to accept (or challenge) a newly set up resident association? Is there anyway to speed up the process?
   
   
2. If the management company doesn't reply or acknowledge notifications sent to it that a new resident association has been set up and a request for formal acknowledgement, what are the required timelines to e.g. do a tier 1 tribunal in order to get formal recognition? 
   

Many thanks

eddddy

I guess you're talking about forming a 'Recognised Tenants’ Association'.

If you make an application for recognition to the landlord, and they haven't responded within 4 weeks, I believe you can apply to a tribunal for recognition.

However, there would then need to be a written determination or hearing by the tribunal. I guess it might take some months for that to happen.


There's some info and links from LEASE here: https://www.lease-advice.org/lease-glossary/recognised-tenants-association-rta/

You could try a free phone consultation with LEASE to get more info:  https://clients.lease-advice.org/

m0bov

The MAs only deal with the freeholder. You could do RTM, anything else is a waste of time IMHO. If you are a Freeholder, just look for another agents elsewhere who perform better.

canaldumidi

If the leaseholders want to take conrol of the management of their building, they'd do far better to apply for RTM.

Even when recognised, the Residents Association is simply a mechanism for tenants as a whole (or group) to make requess/demands of the freeholder or his management company in the same was an individual leaseholder can. Carries a bit more 'oomph' due to numbers, but the MC still ultimately acts for the freeholder as before.

GaleSF63

England/Wales?

mertywerty

Hi it's a newly set up RA for a block of leasehold flats in England.

The purpose of setting up this RA is so that the RA can more effectively communicate with the management company as a single point of contact on behalf of all leaseholders.

The RA was formally set up last week, and are looking for expedited avenues to get formal recognition from the management company, so that the RA can enter into dialogue regarding a Section 20 notice that was issued last week. There is a time limit of 30 days to respond to a Section 20 notice, hence we are looking for ways to get the management company to formally recognize the RA before the Section 20 notice period expires. 

Currently the management agent hasn't responded to any formal notices of the newly set up RA despite repeated contacts and requests. 

canaldumidi

Well edddy has provided the links you need above.

If time runs out, the RA could always produce a pro forma letter to circulate to members who could then all send it back individually.

mertywerty

That's brilliant thank you all for your invaluable advice