The leaseholders decided that the most effective way forward was to take control of the management from the Landlord, and change agents. Initially, we met with about 9 flat owners and explained the RTM process and and management services. From a Right to Manage perspective, it was a fairly complex set-up. There are 2 blocks on the development and parts of the freehold development had been sold off to other landlords. There remained a shared access way, gardens and shared car park.

Our Legal & Compliance Director worked as a solicitor specialising in property law for 10 years before joining Pembroke PM. She oversees out all our RTM claims and is an expert in Right to Manage legislation. We knew exactly what the RTM Company was entitled to manage within the development. The RTM Claim Notice was carefully drafted and submitted to the Landlord.

The Landlord’s solicitor responded and requested numerous documents relating to the company and the methods we used for serving the notices on non-members. They carried out a thorough examination of the claim. Once they were satisfied with the validity of the claim they acknowledged that the leaseholders had successfully acquired the Right to Manage.

During the 3 month management handover period we sourced new contractors to carry out the maintenance of the building, grounds and services on site. We prepared a budget for approval by the directors. For the first time, the leaseholders gained an understanding of the service charge costs up front, and they could have their queries answered. In the first year of handover, Pembroke PM saved leaseholders £7000 compared to their service charge payments in the previous year.

Residents Association - Assist leaseholders with formal application to the landlord for recognition of residents association.

Health & Safety Issues - Longstanding issues with a fire curtain that had not been addressed. Sourced contractor able to repair, obtained quotations and appointed to carry out works. Security was also reviewed to ensure unauthorised persons could not gain access to the block.

Financial Review & Planning - Quotations were obtained for various minor and major works around the development. A programme of works was agreed with the association and a forecast produced to ensure funding was in place to meet the costs as they became due.

We prepared a budget and had it agreed with the directors of the new Right to Manage company for the block. The budget highlights were as follows:
The service charge estimate for the current year is 28% lower that the previous year.
A contribution of £7,000 will be made into the reserve fund. A well managed block has a suitable reserve fund. We encouraged the leaseholders to agree to build up the reserve fund. It is these small things that make your investment stand out from the others. It is one of the top ten questions asked by flat buyer’s solicitors.
An £700 saving made on the fire alarm maintenance contract
£1300 was saved on buildings insurance.
£1300 savings was made on gardening and cleaning.
If there is money left over towards the end of the year then it will be used to invest in LED bulbs to try to reduce the annual electricity bill of £3600.