What Cost Is TheTruthAboutSolitaire to Peverel?
Over the weekend, one of the admin’s had been speaking with friends about the success of TheTruthAboutSolitaire and how we are fighting the cause for residents of Solitaire Property Management / Peverel / Consensus Business Group Property Management companies.
During the conversation, a point was made in regards to the ‘impact’ that TheTruthAboutSolitaire had, had on Solitaire / Peverel, reputation.
If they didn’t take us seriously, why do they invest so much time in contributing and monitoring the website?
This then got us thinking about what Solitaire / Peverel would do to be rid of TheTruthAboutSolitaire?
Afterall, we are the central point of call for all Solitaire issues. If visitors search for Solitaire / Peverel – we are right there, telling the truth!
So, here’s a the question and please – do not panic, we are not thinking of doing this…. but….
What price would you put on TheTruthAboutSolitaire, if Peverel / Soltiaire wanted to ‘buy us off’?
Not that they’d be interested in doing this, but what are you thoughts? Andy, maybe you’d like to guess too!
January 25th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Don’t obsess about Peverel’s intentions. This site is monitored by a number of journalists, as well as ‘customers’ of Peverel, and the issue of property management companies and their actions is in the national and regional press on a monthly if not weekly basis. Not to mention being featured on BBC News at least three times in the past two years and on Watchdog.
Solicitors and barristers are becoming much more aware of how you can get rid of property management companies. There is going to a Commons Select Committee report into these companies.
After all, you could be paying out £2000 or more in service charges in a business environment that is broadly unregulated.
Solicitors, surveyors, mortgage providers – even credit cards are all regulated. But not management companies.
This is a great site, disseminating lots of useful information. It’s a slow process, but I believe these companies will eventually be forced into line.
And if you want to replace a company, and meet the criteria, then exercise your right to manage. You can already do something about it. And for the admins of this site: why not approach some solicitors who offer RTM services and sell them some advertising space on here?
January 25th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Peverel et al’s intentions have ONE agenda……bleed the leaseholders dry!
RTM is the only way out.
Here is another article on Solitaire residents having grief.
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/4864250.Residents_stop_paying_fee_in_flats_upkeep_row/
January 26th, 2010 at 12:22 am
Echo Newspaper quotes Solitaire as saying
\It takes great pride in the services it provides nationally\
So why have the folks there stopped paying, they say they are fed up with the service. Lies lies and empty words then threats with debt collection agencies thats the pride that Solitaire revel in.
January 26th, 2010 at 10:56 am
TTAS is priceless so no valve I can put on it. Without it, we would be going backwards to the dak ages.
Peverel can only stop you by blocking your site and I think you are too educated to let that happen.
I would consider raising addional income. Have you thought of having additional space for adverting at the site.
If I can help you in any way to carry on with the good work then please all you have to do ask me and I will there.
January 26th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
You do have to wonder where things would be if TTAS didn’t exist. Firstly, “Andy” would not be doing his current job, as his position wouldn’t exist. I wonder what “Andy” was doing for employment before his current job came into being…???
Apparently, things have improved greatly since Peverel bought Solitaire – I think the jury is still out on that one…!!!
Realistically, Peverel & co. should thank TTAS for highlighting the numerous failings in their systems. Failings that have existed for years & years without any sign of being sorted “in-house”, but now with the external intervention from TTAS, things are happening (although seemingly at a very slow rate)…..
January 26th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Be under no illusions with this t********, d******** and l**** s***.
If indeed the end of the road is in site in regard to the continuance of this unregulated industry – legislation still cannot move quickly enough for most leaseholders, so rest assured that they will make the most of ripping us off for as long as they can still get away with it. They will then devote their attention to more sophisticated (if capable) or certainly alternative money grabbing pursuits. The predominant culture, as indeed the only genuine shareholders in this business, are greed and avarice.
Get rid of these people as soon as is achievable by exercising RTM.
LVT’s etc., whilst affording a degree of satisfaction in outcome, are not the solution (they will just rip off again), though will provide short term wins and when implemented in parallel with RTM provide a more effective, overall solution, with potentially tangible compensations.
There are property management companies that are more than capable of providing an honest service – just take the time to find one, ideally local to your development – there is nothing like the ‘we know where you live’ approach with these people and make them entirely aware of what is expected from the onset and tolerate no shortcomings.
January 28th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Owing to several overcharges on the Ravenscroft Garston estate and work not properly carried out and a dispute over a valuation allegedly carried out in December2008 which E&M refuse to show us we have managed to get our ccounts put on hold. They will remain in hold until we are satisfied. I suggest that in the short term this is what anyone in dispute should do. As i am aware that Peverel or whatever they call themselves by the time this is posted? read this posts here is a message from me.
I am not happy that you have lied to me, cheated me and threatened me. I am not happy as a self employed person i have had to take time off work to deal with you. I have the right to come home and enjoy my life in my property and not come home to a war zone every night. So this is how it will be. You will get your £30 per year ground rent. I will pay no service charges until all matters are resolved to my satisfaction. I invite you on this web site to take me to court if you think you are in the right. I think 28 days to take action against me is quite reasonable.
I will abide by any court decision and will keep everyone posted as to your actions and any outcome. Of course, if you do not take me to court then everyone will know that you are a busted flush.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
More on the article in the Southend Echo. Someone from Rochforte Court is having very serious problems with Solitaire.
Read the final post in the comments written by Susan29552,Benfleet.
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/4864250.Residents_stop_paying_fee_in_flats_upkeep_row/
January 29th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Here it is:
Susan29552, Benfleet says…
10:55am Wed 27 Jan 10
I own an apartment in Rochforte Court nearby which is also managed by Solitaire. The service given by them is appalling. My property had been rented for the past 3 years. On 13th January I was attending the flat to make sure everything was in order and to prepare it for the next tenants. I found that the front entrance door did not lock securely and there was a nosing which had come away from the top stair causing a health and safety hazard. I tried to contact the number of Solitaire which was on the notice board in the hallway – this was unobtainable! When I finally got back to my home, I looked up the last invoice I had from Solitaire and dialled the number (an 08450 number which costs me money to call), after 30 minutes of holding on at my own expense my call was finally answered. I was told that the number had changed in October, so no-one in authority could have visited the property since October. None of the residents could contact them as their management company if there was an emergency. I was told this would be changed ASAP. The reason for my call was to say that the entrance door would not lock and was a security risk, and I had been told by another resident that it had been broken for a long time – no doubt because no one had the correct phone number for Solitaire to be able to inform them. The area manger did go to the property the next day and did change the notice, and measured up for a new door and I did get a call explaining that a new door was needed, as someone had tried to force the door and it has split at the top, and that someone would secure it until the new door arrived. Yesterday (25th January), my new tenant called to say that as a result of the door not being repaired or secured, vandals had gained access and had graffiti-ed the downstairs hallway. I called Solitaire, and again was left holding on for 30 minutes at my own expense, they told me that they would look into it and get back to me, which they did this morning but with no date as to when the door was going to be replaced or secured. I mentioned that the nosing on the stairway had also not been fixed and was health and safety issue, as someone could easily fall down the stairs if they catch their foot in the loose carpet, I was told this was being repaired this Friday – only another 3 days to wait so I hope no-one falls down the stairs in that time. I then had to ask if the graffiti would be removed at their expense, but got no comment from this! My new concern with the front door is that now vandals know there is easy access then they may come back and break into some of the flats. If anyone would like to contact me regarding the service or the possibility of setting up a residents association, please do so via the paper, we really need to get this company moving to the benefit of all the residents it serves and get some value for the extremely expensive and poorly run property management services.
January 30th, 2010 at 9:05 am
Completely typical, I’m afraid. Customer service simply non-existent. Regular visits to developments by the allocated Property Manager simply don’t happen. Get the money in, whilst doing as little as possible…..
“Andy” – you have repeatedly told us that things are improving since Peverel took over. Sorry, but that is a total load of bullsh*t.
It’s time Solitaire / Peverel etc. were dealt with properly. And by that I mean shut down.