What Does ‘Performance’ in Block Management Really Mean
Most property management companies talk about “performance,” but for leaseholders, directors, and Resident Management Companies, the real question is much…
Changing managing agent can feel like a daunting step, especially if your building has worked with the same company for years. But for many Residents’ Management Companies, Right to Manage Companies and freeholders, staying with an underperforming agent out of habit can end up costing far more than the switch itself.
TL;DR
If your building is dealing with slow communication, unclear accounts, missed inspections, or a general sense that no one is really on top of things, it may be time to review your managing agent. A change of agent is more straightforward than most directors expect, and a good handover should be smooth, transparent and low-stress for everyone involved.
Below are five signs worth paying attention to, along with what a well-managed transition should actually look like.
A responsive agent should be easy to reach and quick to update you. If emails go unanswered for days, phone calls aren’t returned, or directors are left chasing basic information, it’s a clear sign that service levels have slipped. Communication is often the first thing to suffer when an agent is overstretched or under-resourced.
Regular, well-documented property inspections are one of the simplest ways to catch small issues before they become expensive ones. If inspections are infrequent, undocumented, or seem to happen without any real reporting afterwards, your building’s condition may not be getting the attention it needs.
Service charge funds should be held in ring-fenced client accounts, with income and expenditure accounts prepared clearly and on time. If budgets are vague, accounts arrive late, or leaseholders struggle to understand where their money has gone, this points to a wider problem with financial management and governance.
Reactive maintenance is inevitable in any building, but how quickly and reliably it’s dealt with says a lot about an agent’s network of contractors and internal processes. Persistent delays, repeated visits for the same issue, or a lack of follow-up are all warning signs.
Regular board meetings, with reporting circulated in advance and minutes produced afterwards, give directors the structure they need to make informed decisions. Without this, meetings can become reactive rather than strategic, and long-term planning tends to fall by the wayside.
Directors often delay changing agent because they’re worried about disruption. In reality, a well-managed transition should be straightforward. It typically includes:
At Creative Property Estate Management, we work to make this process as smooth and transparent as possible, so your building experiences minimal disruption during the changeover.
If several of the signs above sound familiar, it’s worth having a conversation. Whether you’re a Residents’ Management Company, a Right to Manage Company, a freeholder, or a director looking for more clarity and accountability, a change of agent doesn’t need to be complicated.
We currently support clients across Dorset, with a particular focus on Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Purbeck and the surrounding areas. If you’d like to talk through your building’s situation, get in touch with Creative Property Estate Management today via our contact page or explore our services to see how we can help.
Contact Creative Property Estate Management on Click/press to reveal phone or email us via our contact form to learn more.
Unit 1 The Ajm Centre,
Prospect Business Park,
Swanage, Dorset,
BH19 1FE
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