Leaseholders will shortly be asked to approve a change of Property Manager
All leaseholders will shortly receive a formal, legal Voting Form requesting their approval to transfer the maintenance of Harlands House from FirstPort to Pembroke Property Management.
Background
In 2013 following widespread dissatisfaction on a number of issues the Residents’ Association had a mandate to replace FirstPort (then OM). The process of change was started but floundered over legal issues and lease technicalities which have now been resolved.
By the start of 2017, following requests, the committee decided to restart the process, residents and owners replied to a survey which showed that well over a half of owner/leaseholders, supported by tenants, wanted a better quality of management for Harlands House and improved maintenance of communal areas.
About Pembroke Property Management
Pembroke Property Management based in Tunbridge Wells have managed Bolnore Village Phase 1, comprising over 850 properties, since December 2016. The development was previously managed by FirstPort for over 8 years. Bolnore’s Residents’ Association selected Pembroke Property Management as being best able to deliver a bright future for their Village. Following a presentation from Pembroke and other selected management companies plus discussions with the Bolnore Residents Management Company your committee decided they were the best qualified company to manage Harlands House.
What happens next?
Pembroke are currently awaiting the approval of FirstPort’s legal department to the formal process of change following which you will receive an official voting form to be completed and returned in the freepost envelope provided.
Pembroke need agreement from over 50% of leaseholders before the process of transfer of management from FirstPort to a newly formed Harlands House Management Company (HHMC) can be initiated. HHMC will appoint Pembroke to manage Harlands House for an initial 12 months.
What will be the benefits from the change in management?
The Directors of HHMC will represent both owners and residents in ensuring that proper, effective and efficient use of the Service Charge is achieved. Pembroke will be accountable to the Directors of HHMC and they will endeavour to ensure that maintenance will be proactive so that small problems do not escalate through neglect.
HHMC can choose which contractors to appoint. All existing contracts will be reviewed to ensure they provide full value for residents. For example it is anticipated that a scrutiny of buildings insurance will yield a substantial saving. Also costs related to sales of property will be significantly lower with sales packs for properties turned around in 5 days.
All this your committee are confident will lead to improvements to the estate and higher standard of communal living at Harlands House.
Please check this site for updated information and to share your initial thoughts and/or ask any questions.
January 2018
Leaseholders are mostly landlords in flats 1-42. ie most of these flats are rented out.
Have you got all the owners’ addresses to send this info to ?
My landlord lives in Dubai, and owns several flats here (which, i haven’t been able to find out.)
We need the management company and MSDC to work together to solve the rubbish collection problems ~ and to update fire safety requirements in the main block.
We have most of the leaseholder’s contact details. Their addresses are a matter of public record and can be easily obtained.
There are many concerns that need to be addressed by the property manager and there will be consultation with leaseholders/residents.