Some of my fellow tenants in an apartment block in Cardiff Bay have grown sick and tired of the poor service we receive from the Management Company. Repairs are not being done, security is poor and on top of all this we have been asked for an extra payment to finance a shortfall for last year’s expenses. What can we do?
Sadly, with the increase in residential flat developments in marina-type areas such as Cardiff Bay, there is increasing unrest and disquiet with regard to the various management regimes undertaken by large national management companies.
Legislation does allow tenants the right to manage themselves, but this area is extremely complex and will also depend to some extent on the terms of the development Leases and the manner in which the existing Managing Agents were initially appointed.
It is my experience that the large National Management Companies are reluctant to justify expenditures by producing copy receipts etc, as they have so many developments throughout the country they simply do not have the resources or time to justify their own accounts.
This can work conveniently to their advantage and the long-suffering tenant has a very hard battle on his hands to obtain the relevant information or, at the very least, secure proof that this expenditure has been properly incurred.
I would advise you seek the advice of a specialist property solicitor before you take any steps whatsoever.