Signs You May Need a New Block Management Company
As a property developer, the success of your developments depend not only on the build quality but also on how well they are managed in the long term. The right block management company can enhance value, ensure compliance, and create a positive living environment for residents. The wrong one, however, can damage your reputation, and create ongoing frustrations for leaseholders and freeholders alike.
Here are some of the common signs that you may need to consider a change in your property management company.
Value Through Appearance
One of the key responsibilities of a block manager is to preserve, and ideally increase, the long-term value of your development. If your scheme is showing signs of decline, it could indicate poor management.
For example, neglected communal areas, unkempt landscaping, or outdated maintenance schedules can quickly reduce a property’s appeal. Prospective buyers and tenants will notice, and this can negatively affect resale values. A proactive property management company should be working with you to not only maintain standards but also identify opportunities for improvement that enhance value.
At POD Management, we believe developments should be actively nurtured to grow in value, not simply maintained at a basic level.
Reactive, Not Proactive
Do you find your managing agent only springs into action when something goes wrong? If so, you may be working with a reactive rather than proactive company.
Proactive management means anticipating problems before they escalate, not waiting for them to become an urgent issue. This could be arranging planned preventative maintenance (PPM), addressing potential resident concerns early, or forecasting budget needs accurately. By contrast, reactive management often leads to higher costs, more complaints, and a growing sense of frustration among stakeholders.
A forward-thinking block management company should feel like a partner who is safeguarding the future of your investment, not just ‘firefighting’ today’s issues
Safety and Compliance Gaps
The world of property compliance is becoming increasingly complex. From fire safety regulations to health and safety audits and changing building safety legislation, the responsibilities placed on both developers and management companies are significant.
If your current block management company is missing key compliance checks, delaying risk assessments, or failing to keep accurate records, for example, this is extremely dangerous and in some cases, could be illegal. Non-compliance can lead to fines, reputational damage, and in the worst-case scenario, serious safety risks for residents.
Working with a managing agent that prioritises compliance and has robust systems in place for monitoring requirements is essential. Professional property management services should give you confidence that your development is fully protected.
At POD, we’re regulated RICS members and hold a 5-Star rating from the British Safety Council Occupational Health and Safety Audit, scoring ‘Excellent’ for Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing by our independent auditor. Click here to find out more about our accreditations.
Poor Financial Management
Financial stewardship is at the heart of good block management. Warning signs of mismanagement include:
Budgets not aligning with actual development needs
Late or inaccurate service charge invoices
Poor arrears collection or lack of enforcement
Insufficient transparency in reporting
When finances are mishandled, it undermines trust with residents and creates unnecessary strain on the development. Developers need a management company that provides clear, accurate, and regular financial reporting to ensure the right charges are accounted for.
High Levels of Resident Complaints
If complaints from residents are increasing, this is a strong indication that service levels aren’t where they should be. Issues such as delayed responses, unresolved communal maintenance problems, or surprise fees can quickly erode resident satisfaction.
High levels of discontent not only cause friction but can also affect the marketability of your development. Naturally, residents will talk in person and online - negative feedback spreads very quickly and can harm your ability to attract prospective residents. A quality block management company should work to make life easier for both residents and developers.
Our own track record speaks for itself, with a resident happiness rating of 95% and an ‘excellent’ 4.6* rating on Trustpilot.
Maintenance Issues
From broken lifts to blocked guttering, unresolved maintenance issues are one of the clearest signs of poor management. If repairs are consistently delayed, poorly coordinated, or carried out to substandard levels, the overall perception of your development will suffer.
Professional property management services should have reliable contractor networks, efficient processes for logging and tracking repairs, and clear communication with residents throughout. Properly managed maintenance protects your investment and keeps residents happy.
Slow or Poor Communication
Perhaps the most frustrating experience for developers and residents alike is a lack of communication. If your property manager is slow to respond, difficult to reach, or fails to keep you informed, confidence quickly disappears.
A good block management company will know that communication underpins every aspect of their service. Whether it’s updating residents on maintenance schedules, providing timely financial reports, or ensuring developers are kept in the loop, open and responsive communication is non-negotiable.
At POD, we take pride in our responsiveness and clarity, ensuring every party always feels informed and supported. We provide a level of tracked response that’s unrivalled in the industry - averaging under 6 hours (and under 1 hour if we have an on-site team in place), alongside a 90% resolution rate within 20 hours.
Low Pricing and the Risk of Hidden Fees
It can certainly be tempting to choose a block management provider based on very low fees and service charge - but be aware, this could be a false economy. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is. Given how much needs to be monitored and maintained in a single development, a low fee may mean that critical tasks simply aren’t being completed or are not being properly supervised.
Do you want to just assume that your managing agent has ensured the building is fully compliant with fire safety and legislation in the event of an emergency? Or do you want to know for sure? Proper compliance, proactive maintenance, and reliable financial management all come at a cost, but it’s an investment that protects your development, your reputation, and your residents.
Low charges may also conceal hidden fees that appear later, leaving you with unexpected bills and a lack of control. In our opinion, it always pays to choose value over price. When it comes to block management, it’s simply not worth the risk of cutting corners.
Time to Reconsider Your Block Management Company?
If any of these signs feel familiar, it could be time to reassess your current provider. As a developer, you deserve a block management company that protects your investment, enhances long-term value, ensures compliance, and keeps residents happy.
At POD Management, we specialise in delivering proactive, transparent, and people-focused property management. With our experience and commitment to excellence, we help developers unlock the full potential of their developments.
If you’re considering changing your management provider, our team would be more than happy to discuss how POD can support your block and estate needs. Get in touch today to explore our tailored, professional property management services:
Fill out our ‘Thinking of Switching’ contact form.
Email us at relationships@podmanagement.co.uk
Call us on 0333 577 6656
We look forward to hearing from you!