With a range of inconsistencies offered in our market, we designed a full service offer to include twenty key areas of Block Management, launching our inclusive service (Southside 20:20) in 2010.  Since that time, it has been adopted by over 50 residential blocks and includes all the usual functions you might expect, such as Maintenance provision, Budgeting and Service Charge Administration.  However, it also provides for periodic Inspections and includes further related services, such as professional insurance provision and dedicated Banking, along with advisory services in technical areas, such as Lessor Consents and Lease Extensions.

In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in Leaseholders taking control of their buildings, through Resident Associations, Enfranchisement Companies and more recently RTM Companies. We understand that the needs of these groups differ and Leaseholders often wish to retain the management of certain functions (such as minor maintenance, cleaning and gardening) themselves.

We recognise this and have adapted our service to suit, offering a more limited administration and advisory service as an alternative to Full Management. With this service, clients can continue to look after the daily management of their property, but be assured that their legislative responsibilities are being met and can call us on an as required basis, for more technical services, such as Major Works.

We certainly understand how confusing it can be and understand that it’s difficult to define one Managing Agent from another, but equally how important it is to get it right. In addition to the information and testimonials detailed on our website, we have summarised below, our promise to clients of what we will and won’t do.

On appointment as Managing Agents, we endeavour to make arrangements to undertake a property inspection and prepare a Condition Report as a priority.

Such reports, undertaken by one of our in-house surveyors or experienced property managers, provides clients with a clear understanding of the condition of the property, identifies areas of concern and adds both a timetable and budget to works required; be they urgent, medium or longer term requirements. The inspection reports are essential in providing Lessors and Leaseholders alike with a plan in terms of action and budgetary requirements moving forward.

For any significant structural defects or specific areas of concern raised (such as subsidence or damp) Southside have excellent and long-standing relationships with specialists offering preferential rates for our clients. The early identification and professional management of such defects often results in considerable savings over time.

So why choose Southside?  We have put together a short summary of what we will and won’t do, which will hopefully help you when considering proposals:

Southside will provide:

• Fixed Management Cost Structure – Including a set annual fees;
• A fixed Management fee on Major Works (Including full Section 20 Procedures);
• A facility to adjust our service to meet your individual property requirements;
• Your leaseholders with full service charge accounts and your company with detailed full income and expenditure schedules;
• A dedicated Client Bank Account at no cost (subject to building / contract size);
• Periodic Bank Statements on Demand;
• Free ad-hoc advice on demand;
• The appointment of Specialist External Services on your behalf;
• A polite and courteous service to all stakeholders in the property;
• Only suitably qualified and approved contractors;
• A dedicated and named Account Manager;
• Out of Hours contact numbers – available to all;
• An on-line electronic Storage Facility for all you important notices and documents;
• A free initial Property Inspection Report;

Southside will not:

• Charge an additional fees based on expenditure;
• Charge clients for constructing a Suitable Budget and preparing accounting information;
• Charge clients for periodic Site Visits & Inspections;
• Appoint overpriced or unqualified contractors;
• Allow works or services to be left unchecked;
• Fail to respond to customer queries or complaints within agreed periods;
• Charge our own fees annually in advance (unless specified by leases);
• Charge for Project Management Services until services are properly completed;
• Please feel free to use this as a checklist when comparing agents; we also have a helpful Q&A, available on request.