BBC Watchdog exposes bad block management
Consumer rights television programme, BBC Watchdog, has recently broadcast two programmes about the management of common parts in blocks of flats.
Disgruntled flat owners from around the UK appeared on the programme to complain about the poor levels of service they had received from their property management companies. Flat owners appealed for help to protect their interests and advice was given from industry experts including the Federation of Private Residents’ Associations. Consideration of the exercise of a leaseholders right to manage or the purchase of the freehold of the building were both offered as constructive suggestions for flat owners fed up with under-performing property managers.
The issues raised by Watchdog led to a wider discussion about the regulation of managing agents and ARMA representative Andrew McKeer received a grilling in the studio by presenter Nicky Campbell. McKeer admitted that some of the examples of bad management on the show were “indefensible” and that he was “….embarrassed generally by the standards of management.” He went on to say that he would “…love to see the law changed…” and bemoaned the fact that the Government had shown little interest in regulating the property management industry.
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