F.A.Q

We have the following insurances in place:

. Professional Indemnity

. Public Liability

In accordance with statutory requirements, all of the service charge and reserve/sinking fund monies we hold on behalf of the clients and leaseholders, are held in nominated trust accounts so separate from MKDP's own funds. We follow RICS rigorous accountancy standards to ensure we are complying with all the accounting regulations.

Yes, we have a complaints procedure. We also belong to the Ombudsman Services: Property Scheme one of the Government recognised schemes.

Your block will have a dedicated property manager and assistant property manager. The team is led by the head of residential management.

This is an example of our service but it can be tailored to meet your requirements

Service Charges

Preparation of the annual service charge budget

Management of expenditure within budget limits

Billing and collection of service charges

Preparation of year end service charge accounts for independent certification

Billing and collection of ground rents

Collection and management of arrears (if solicitors have to be instructed we will charge an additional fee)

Routine payment of invoices

Repair and maintenance

Deal with day to day repairs and maintenance promptly and efficiently using competent contractors

Tender and manage contracts for routine services

Preparation of a ten year maintenance and repair plan (included within our set up fee)

Tender and manage contracts for the maintenance of plant and machinery

Provide an 'out of hours' emergency service

Administer basic insurance claims. (Depending on the severity of the issue, we reserve the right to charge an additional fee but this would be agreed with the client and may be covered by the insurance)

The service of s.20 consultation notices

Compliance with legislation and lease terms

Ensure that all management functions are carried out in accordance with current legislation

Abide by relevant Codes of Practice

Ensure compliance with the terms of leases

Deal with any simple breaches in accordance with landlord's instructions. (if the matter becomes protracted, we reserve the right to charge for the time involved in resolving the issue. this would normally be a charge to the leaseholder involved.)

Health and safety and risk management

Carry out a visual inspection of the common areas of the property usually once a month or as agreed with the client and deal promptly with any issues

Arrange periodic general health and safety and fire risk assessments

Arrange any other risk assessments/statutory testing which may be required to ensure compliance, eg asbestos, fixed wiring, water tanks

Communication with leaseholders

Attend to routine enquiries from lessees

Produce explanatory notes for the service charge budget and year end accounts

Report on significant lessee communications including disputes

Our fees are pre agreed and we do take commissions that are declared to the client

Our out of hours service provides direct contact with the property manager who can assist directly with any emergencies, this ensures that the matters to hand a dealt with sufficiently and promptly.

The frequency will depend on our management contract but usually we aim to visit at least every six weeks and more often when required with snap site visits. The manager will complete the site inspection using our dedicated block management software which records and reports any issues which are then dealt with when the property manager returns to the office. If there is any serious issue found, this is then then this is dealt with by phone immediately. Any concerns will be recorded and residents can view this on the notice board.

All of the buildings we manage are inspected periodically by an external consultant who completes health and safety and fire risk assessments, as required by law.

No, the buildings insurance policy covers the structure of the building and the landlord’s fixtures and fittings mainly within the common parts but these may include the kitchen cupboards and bathroom fixtures within each flat. You should check with your property manager what the policy covers. These may include wooden floor finishes if these are not original to the block. We would always encourage leaseholders to regularly maintain things such as shower seals, hoses on washing machines, etc to prevent claims and disruption to your neighbours.

We don't offer credit card only bank transfer or cheque.

This will depend on the terms of your lease, but will cover the running costs of the building. This may include on-site staff, communal plant, collection of service charges and preparation of budgets and year-end accounts. It may also include a contribution towards a reserve/sinking fund and our management fee.

We have a robust system in place to recover arrears direct from the leaseholder in breach in accordance with the terms of the lease.

You would need to make an appointment with the property manager to come to our offices during normal office hours and facilities will be made available to you to inspect the invoices and take copies. We reserve the right to charge for the photocopying.

Ground rent is a charge payable to the freeholder. This charge, together with the frequency of payment will be set out in your lease, the contract the parties have signed.