Our brand promise is 100% transparency: Just Ask!
Below are the top 20 questions we get asked or email
your property manager here.

1. What does the management charge or service charge cover?
The definition of Service Charge is an amount payable by a property owner in respect of services, repairs, maintenance, insurance, improvements or costs of management (and the amount may vary according to the costs incurred or to be incurred). Most leases provide for service charges to be paid in advance, so this means that the Managing Agent reviews the past years expenditure and expected expenditure for the coming year and prepares a service charge budget. You then pay the proportion of the budget based on the relevant percentage for your property.

2. Can I pay monthly?
Yes, Ringley does offer direct debit facilities to help you pay monthly. Monthly direct debits act like a savings stamp and collect towards the next service charge due. This is because we have to ensure that you pay on, or before, the due date set in your lease or transfer document as this is what you promised to do when you purchased your property. You can set up a DD now on-line provided that the last payment due is already paid up to date.

3. Will I be able to buy the freehold of the flat?
Buying the Freehold is a collective right since 1993. To qualify you need a minimum of 50% of the block to commit and be named on the initial notice to claim your right. We have a step by step guide at http://www.leaseholdguidance.co.uk/buy_your_freehold/step/1

4. Can the residents run the development?
Where the legal structure for your site is a Freehold, Management or Right to Manage Company the legal set up is designed to be run by residents. Residents decide policy, the Managing Agent advises on law, procedure and policy and carries out instructions the Resident Directors or Committee make and runs the block finances. If the legal structure is that there is no company pre-set up for you then to claim your Right to Manage you need a minimum of 50% of the site to commit then using the 2002 Act you can claim your Right to Manage. There is no need to prove fault of the Freeholder.

5. Are Ringleys responsible for water/gas/electricity?
Unless water, gas or electricity is included in the service charge budget then the utility company will be responsible for billing you direct for utilities used.

6. Do Ringleys deal with problem properties/tenants? Ringley will help any resident experiencing problems from other flats. We will be able to advise on the route-map for a variety of problems and will in the first instance usually write (without mentioning who reported a matter) to the property owner from where the problem originates. In extreme circumstances we may force entry to a flat or involve the police or the local Council's noise abatement department. What does a Managing Agent do?
the key points of our delegated duty are to:
1. uphold the terms of the lease,
2. ensure property owners are reminded of the covenants of the lease and deal with 'rule breakers',
3. prepare and propose the service charge budget, update the reserve plan (where lease allows) and organise maintenance
4. collect service charges and take swift action against unpaid service charges,
5. inspect the site regularly/as agreed,
6. inspect and check on the performance of employed contractors,
7. attend any annual residents meeting/AGM,
8. liaise with the Client and/or Directors of the Freehold/Management Company between meetings,
9. support leaseholder's with legal enquiries when they buy or sell their properties,
10. manage cashbooks and support the external accountants in preparation of the year end accounts