Someone who lives in a development where Property Sparrow has a flat has had a party. The party was for the ‘residents.’ The hostess wanted to talk to the ‘residents’ about saving money by ousting the management company’s managing agent and running the development themselves.
Property Sparrow wasn’t invited. She is a Director of the management company for this development and her feathers are well and truly ruffled.
Thankfully, the other Director is a resident and he was invited and has reported back. Cheese and wine was served and four people attended. One of them was a tenant. Minutes were taken.
Property Sparrow is all for saving money on running costs and doing things yourself but as a non resident she will not be ignored. Nor will she be bamboozled into ditching the management agent when there are no reasons for doing so. As far as Property Sparrow can tell, they are charging a reasonable rate for the work they do and the development is well run. They have experience and easy access to expertise. As a non resident Property Sparrow would much rather pay an annual service charge to a company that she knows is doing a good job than rely on a minority of residents who, while they may offer chardonnay and camembert, may not know what they are doing in taking on the whole development.
It’s the AGM next week and there will be tea and biscuits. Property Sparrow is looking forward to talking about how and when to consult on any proposal to change the management of a development and explaining who the interested parties might be.
Property Sparrow wasn’t invited. She is a Director of the management company for this development and her feathers are well and truly ruffled.
Thankfully, the other Director is a resident and he was invited and has reported back. Cheese and wine was served and four people attended. One of them was a tenant. Minutes were taken.
Property Sparrow is all for saving money on running costs and doing things yourself but as a non resident she will not be ignored. Nor will she be bamboozled into ditching the management agent when there are no reasons for doing so. As far as Property Sparrow can tell, they are charging a reasonable rate for the work they do and the development is well run. They have experience and easy access to expertise. As a non resident Property Sparrow would much rather pay an annual service charge to a company that she knows is doing a good job than rely on a minority of residents who, while they may offer chardonnay and camembert, may not know what they are doing in taking on the whole development.
It’s the AGM next week and there will be tea and biscuits. Property Sparrow is looking forward to talking about how and when to consult on any proposal to change the management of a development and explaining who the interested parties might be.
Beware of Property Management that:
ReplyDeleteSigning a binding long-term contract
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Companies that do leasing only
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Companies that only advertise on their website and the MLS
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Management companies whose managers only work from 9-5
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"Hidden fees", many companies do not openly advertise many hidden costs
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Agents who do not do enough tenant screening
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Companies with managers who manage too many properties
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Companies who don't disclose exactly how they will market your property
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Companies who use stock, out-dated leases
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Companies who won't let you see their lease agreements or rental applications