Property Management - how easy is it to go it alone?

[stevegrant]

Right, my patience has evaporated with the shower of complete *insert countless expletives here* that "manage" the building that my flat is a part of.

 

I have vague recollections of seeing a few people posting on here before saying they - along with the other leaseholders - do it themselves which works out a lot cheaper and with less hassle, so I'm after some advice/suggestions...

 

I've not yet discussed this with any of the other leaseholders, although I do know that at least two of them have been unhappy with their dealings with them in the fairly recent past, so I would suggest/hope that they would be interested.

 

How would we go about a) setting up our own management company, and b) ditching the current bunch of shysters? Is it as simple as going to the freeholders and saying "we want to do this ourselves, and it won't cost you as much", and hoping they agree to it?

[Scummer]

Best way is to buy the freehold between you, then you can do whatever you want. Might cost a bit though. We got lucky and the freeholder came to us and offered to sell it for about £1500 each (4 flats).

[stevegrant]

Best way is to buy the freehold between you, then you can do whatever you want. Might cost a bit though. We got lucky and the freeholder came to us and offered to sell it for about £1500 each (4 flats).

That sounds unbelievably cheap... :shock:

[Hatch]

That sounds unbelievably cheap... :shock:

 

One of the best things I ever did was buy the freehold to my old flat.

Cost £5000, Value of property went up by £50,000.

£45K profit overnight. Nice.

 

 

ref the Property Management. You would probably need to set up a company, each flat owner would be a director and own one share each.

Then just agree how much you going to put into the compnay and what to spend it on.

Also, Do the current company have a long term contract to service your building. You might not be able to get rid of them anyway.

[ooohTerryHurlock]

Out of interest who is your management agent steve?

[bridge too far]

Echoing what Hatch said. I THINK (but you need to check this out) that you would have to get a solicitor draw up a Deed for your own Property Management company to ensure that no-one wriggled out of paying their share. Each share would obviously transfer with the sale of any of the participant's property.

 

The amount you pay would have to cover buildings insurance as well as maintenance, and decoration of 'common' areas.

 

Good luck!

[INFLUENCED.COM]

Owning the freehold may not release you from the terms within the management companies contract, its going legal for this particular property 25 March, if thread still open will let you know the outcome, however, i'm sure there are test cases that those representing will rely upon