Managing Agent and Debt Collection Agrncy issues

RockandGravel71

I moved into my new home in October 2024. The estate is managed by a Management Company – Residential Management Group, who charge annually for their management services.

As part of the purchase, my solicitor served RMG with a notice of transfer and change upon completion, and my application for membership. In turn RMG provided a counter-signed copy of the notice to confirm receipt. My solicitor also paid the notice fee to RMG on my behalf for the admin cost of processing this notice and reimbursed the seller of my property for the 2024 service charge payment up to 31/12 2024

In February 2025, I received a letter from RMG, dated 13 Feb 2025. It stated that this was a final request for payment of £242.28 for the service charge for 2025, and included unspecified additional charges as stated on my last invoice. This was the first correspondence that that I had received from RMG, so I could not refer to the ‘last invoice’ to see what those additional charges were. On the reverse of the letter from their Collections Department (which I hadn’t noticed – there was no prompt to ‘turn overleaf’)  was a statement that read “…should your account still be overdue after 7 days from this letter and we have not heard from you to agree a payment arrangement we will refer your account to a debt collection representative….you will then become responsible for additional charges which may be in excess of £240…”

Admittedly, I should have addressed this there and then, but life got in the way (my bad). However, in early March I received a letter from Property Debt Collection (PDC) dated 27 February 2025, stating they were acting for Eaton Meadow Management Company Limited (RMG are seemingly the Managing Agents for this Company) and had been instructed to recover the sum of £611.97, which includes their costs of £276. It also stated that I could only deal now with PDC.

Upon contacting PDC, I explained that I had only received my first notification from RMG post-February 13th, and whilst I acknowledged that I had not yet paid, I was absolutely willing to pay the original £242.28 as stated in that letter, which included these additional charges. This offer was refused and it was stressed that I pay the full amount as per PDC’s letter.

I emailed PDC stating again my intent to pay the original fee + additional charges and explained to them my reasons for this – namely that my final notice was in fact my first notice. I emailed again 24th March asking for a response. I finally received a response from PDC on May 9th, which effectively stated again that full payment was required, and provided me with a copy of a welcome pack and invoice that was claimed had been sent to me (never received, if indeed it was ever sent) dated 24th December 2024 (interestingly, the invoice itemised the rent charge, service charge and reserve fund for 2025, which came to £202.28, but the amount due was quoted as £322.28?)

Since then I have been trying to investigate my legal position to see if it was worth formally challenging; ultimately though, I am so sick of this, I will – under protest – just pay the higher figure (£600+)  to PDC, and I can then see if I can make a counter legal claim after I’ve paid off my debts…

…or at least I would if PDC would actually answer the phone or respond to my emails asking for a final settlement figure and a way to pay them. Doubtless whilst I am still accruing interest so I suspect my final figure will be well in excess of £600.

Please can anyone advise how I should now progress this? It feels like I have been poorly treated, and am currently being deliberately ignored in order to maximise the payment I have to make. This seems like bad practice, particularly as in the first instance I received no correspondence from the Managing Agents until February, and 2 weeks later, it was in the hands of this Debt Collection Agency). 

TIA for any guidance.

km1500

To summarise the position as I see it - you were sent an invoice and on the invoice it said if not paid it in seven days It will be referred to debt collection agencies

You didn't pay it within seven days and it was referred to debt collection agencies

I think you're complaint is that you didn't see this as it was on the back of the invoice

Is this correct?

RockandGravel71

Not really...I accept responsibility for not actioning immediately. It just seemed that as I was only notified in mid February and then referred in late February, this was excessive for something that should have been sent to me in January. And my immediate issue is being unable to get a settlement figure or any way of paying...whilst presumably accruing more charges...

2 weeks to refer me to a debt collection agency, 2 months to respond to my emails...but I'm oaying for every day that goes by...

Jenni_D

You might get more targeted advice by getting this moved to the House Buying, Renting and Selling board. I'm sure I've seen threads of this nature over there - and they may also have knowledge of this MA and the DCs.