“I would have no hesitation recommending HAUS”
Mr. A Wilson – Director
Stourcliffe Close
The residents’ management company (RMC) at this 60-flat development in Marylebone had a long list of problems with their managing agent. Service charge accounting was opaque and communications from the agent were infrequent and of a poor quality.
Residents were looking for better invoice and cost management, and the ability to scrutinise invoices before payment. With maintenance issues not fixed, the RMC wanted agreed key performance indicators and a service-level agreement that an agent could be held to.
In particular, they needed someone to address the illegal short-term letting and sub-letting that they felt was leading to the building being undervalued.
Notable Achievements
Quickly tackled the significant and longstanding issue of short-letting with the introduction of an effective licensing scheme.
Our Process
When HAUS took over, our most urgent task was to deal with short lets. To achieve this – and send out a strong message to local estate agents – we set out a clear process for each landlord to follow and recruited four porters to enforce it.
People without the correct paperwork would find access blocked by the porters. Over a 12-month period, we brought about a massive decrease in the number of short lets, from 60 to just two, much to the delight of leaseholders and directors.
To improve financial management, we have implemented quarterly meetings with directors to overview expenditure and leaseholder service charge payments, giving them confidence that cashflow and finances are being properly managed.
We have also introduced a strict process around invoicing, in which a report from the contractor must be submitted and reviewed before we approve the invoice.
Alongside the progress with short letting and financial management, we are also involved in two projects to improve the building, changing the entrance façade and replacing and upgrading fire equipment.
What Our Client Said
We have worked closely with HAUS for a good number of years now.
We have an excellent relationship with our property manager and senior management when we occasionally need it.
We have improved all aspects of the block in this time, including arrears, windows, roof, lobby, utilities, porters and relationships with Leaseholders.
I would have no hesitation recommending HAUS to other buildings.
– Mr. A Wilson – Director