Recommendations for a Management Agency - SE London

[EmmaP]

Can any of you recommend me a good management agency to manage our house? It is split into five flats, four of which own a share of the freehold. I am in SE23 so I'm looking for an agency that will cover that area.

Our current agency is next to useless and has failed to file our accounts on time two years running and tried to pass on the penalty fee onto one tenant resulting in them getting a debt collection letter.

Thanks in advance.

[Yanto]

Have used John Payne in Blackheath for BTL for last few years - no probs

[JimexPL]

I manage some commercial property, and intend to branch out into residential this year.
If you want to drop me an email I'd be happy to look at your building.
James

[EmmaP]

Thanks Yanto and Jimex. We're going to speak with a few, get some quotes and then make a decision. Jimex, I'll drop you an email, thanks!

[NeilC4S]

Burnet Wares and Graves cover our house they are pretty responsive but need to be led by one of the residents. Prior Estates seem efficient if a bit faceless they are in Beckenham and should cover Forest Hill.

Neil

[EmmaP]

Thanks Neil for the recommendation. I shall bear yours in mind. Myself and another tenant are going to be meeting up with JimexPL when we manage to get our heads together.

[jimmyjam]

JimexPL said:

I manage some commercial property, and intend to branch out into residential this year.
If you want to drop me an email I'd be happy to look at your building.
James

Nooo, run for the hills, avoid small resi management at all costs!! Its not cost effective unless you're doing units of 20+. There is little to no money to be made doing it and its a nightmare.
Anyway, sorry OP if I'm putting off a potential candidate but I have to say it as it really is a bad business idea.
On a positive note, its always worth trying ARMA (Association of Residential Managing Agents) if you don't have luck anywhere else.

[JimexPL]

jimmyjam said:

Nooo, run for the hills, avoid small resi management at all costs!! Its not cost effective unless you're doing units of 20+. There is little to no money to be made doing it and its a nightmare.
Anyway, sorry OP if I'm putting off a potential candidate but I have to say it as it really is a bad business idea.
On a positive note, its always worth trying ARMA (Association of Residential Managing Agents) if you don't have luck anywhere else.

Funny you should say that - I had worked on the basis that the minimum size building that I would consider is 17 flats. However, for a pher and one so close to home I am prepared to make an exception!

[jimmyjam]

Good idea, it is a very thankless & unprofitable job. But top marks for your PH comraderie!

[voicey]

Whatever you do, don't use Comber and Co in Blackheath - we're renting a house through them and the contract they drew up was intially between myself and my girlfriend and didn't mention the landlord at all! When we moved in they didn't take an inventory so we could strip the house bare if we wanted to (not that we would).

[spacegrey335]

Oppida Estates are quite good. ;-)

[EmmaP]

I am still looking for a managing agent that covers the Forest Hill/Catford/Sydenham/Dulwich area. Any recommendations please?

[jimmyjam]

Try ARMA (Association Of Residential Managing Agents) for recommendations on someone local and reputable

[EmmaP]

Thanks jimmyjam. I only realised after posting yesterday that you had mentioned them before. I'll get in touch with them. Thanks!