Property Management Companies 2025-04-07
2025-04-07
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Jacqui, Gary and Simon in Fairwater Drive have faced a significant increase in service charges from £1,500 to £4,800 per year with no itemisation provided by the property manager.
I met with Jacqui, Gary and Simon in my Spelthorne constituency. Their service charge is going up from £1,500 a year to £4,800 without any itemisation, making it impossible to know where to start with the property manager. Can he give some reassurance that their interests will not be put on to the back-burner and suggest when “in due course” might be?
I am sorry to hear about the experience of Jacqui, Gary and Simon. The Government are fully committed to protecting leaseholders from abuse and poor service at the hands of unscrupulous managing agents. We will look again at the recommendations of the 2019 Lord Best report and intend to consult on the regulation of managing agents this year.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline for action beyond 'this year'.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Leaseholders in Southampton Itchen are facing significant increases in service charges due to fire remediation work, with one constituent's charge increasing from £800 a year to £3,300 without clarity on the expenditure.
Many leaseholders in Southampton Itchen who are still waiting for fire remediation work to be done are now being clobbered by extortionate service charges. In one case, a constituent went from paying £800 a year to £3,300 a year, with next to no clarity that that money is being spent well. What conversations are the Government having with management companies that are letting service charges spiral out of control?
I recognise the challenges experienced by leaseholders. We will empower leaseholders to challenge unreasonable service charge increases, and my hon. Friend will not have to wait long for us to take action to that end.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide details on specific conversations or actions taken against excessive service charges.
Response accuracy