Your flat is probably your biggest investment and, for many people, it’s their pension. It’s worth getting professional help to protect your investment, get best value for your money, and avoid making costly mistakes.
The upfront cost of using a professional is usually repaid through the savings they can make in helping you do the right thing safely, at the right time, and preventing further problems from occurring.
If you are a well-organised group of owners, with an owners’ association to give leadership, you may be able to undertake some simpler tasks yourself. There is no hard and fast rule about when you need technical help. Much depends on how much you know about your building and your own skills to find and manage really good trades firms.
Use this guide to help you decide at what point you need to get professional assistance.
Many owners benefit from the assistance of professional property factors and managers. These are well-managed and regulated organisations, and flat owners often have a good choice of firms and some housing associations to choose from.
Where owners can’t access a firm, or have owners who don’t want to pay management fees, then self-factoring is required.
Your local council may be able to help where you have difficulty dealing with other owners and builders, but you can also call on solicitors, advice centres, and mediation bodies.
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