Are you at risk from the rogue property managers?

In most blocks the landlord instructs the managing agents. This lack of accountability by the paying leaseholders gives rogue agents the scope to exploit the situation through such misfeasance as (a) demanding service charges for substandard or non-existent services/works (b) imposing high administration charges and (c) requiring on account payments for works without carrying them out.

Each leaseholder should review their service charge accounts annually and identify any unusual items of expenditure. The landlord must supply a leaseholder with a summary of the accounts within one month of a request. Also, within six months thereafter the leaseholder has a right to inspect the accounts and receipts - advisable if the accounts have not been professionally audited. Leaseholders are only obliged to pay “reasonable” service and administration charges. Leaseholders should apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to dispute an item of service charge expenditure, even if the service charge has been paid.