PROPERTY FACTORS must now beet certain standards of service and if not, they will be subject to a “robust complaints procedure” says the Scottish Government : Property factors registration scheme
All property factors operating in Scotland can apply to a compulsory online registration scheme from today. Registration is a central element of the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011, a new law passed last year by the Scottish Parliament.
Around 225,000 house owners in Scotland use property managers to carry out their repair and maintenance responsibilities on communal areas, roofs and stairwells.
A new Code of Conduct will demand property managers meet certain standards of service and a robust complaints procedure will be put in place if the service is unacceptable.
Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil, said: "The majority of property factors provide a good, effective service. This new law means that for the first time, consumers will have access to information to judge good service and for property factors, an opportunity to demonstrate the quality of their services. Compulsory registration is good news for consumers and will help enhance the reputation and integrity of the property managing industry."
Vice President of the Property Managers Association Scotland Iain Friel, said: "The Property Managers Association Scotland welcomes the introduction of the Property Factor Code of Conduct. Our members believe that the new legislation will benefit the property management industry, not only providing consumers with a recognised system of redress, it will also provide Property Factors an opportunity to demonstrate the necessary dedication, skill and experience required in the professional management of common property throughout Scotland."
Related information: The online registration system
The statutory Code of Conduct for property factors was recently approved by the Scottish Parliament and is now available in its final form at: Code of Conduct for property factors
The Property Factors (Scotland) Act received royal assent in the Spring of 2011. It was introduced as a Member's Bill by Patricia Ferguson MSP and the Scottish Government supported the Bill and worked with Ms Ferguson to make the legislation as effective as possible.This requires all factors to be registered, to operate in compliance with a statutory Code of Conduct and introduces a national Homeowner Housing Panel to which homeowners can seek redress on disputes with their factor. All requirements of the Act will be in force by October 1, 2012.
1 comment:
The property factors act give the factors the legal right to dictate whatever increase they want in the fees they charge home owners. The factors just need to tell home owners how much extra they are charging the home owners for arranging insurance for them. There is nothing in the legislation to stop them charging 100% more thna the insurance premium or any othe amnount the factors choose. From October home owner can legally be charged by the factors for receiving a copy of any invoice the home owner has to pay while it remains illegal for any lettting agent or landlord to make any charge for this. Homeowners will therefore need to pay for any proof to put to the housing panel. Because factors have the right to dictate their charges what can home owners complain about? So if a bill from a joiner is for £100 the factor can add whatever they want to this bill as long as they tell the owners how much they wish to pocket. There is no need for factors to help owners in any way to contact other owners or to be informed in any way about changes in ownership of properties. It will continue to be almost impossible to change factors in a large development. The factors can continue to take as long as they want to do anything. All they have to do is dictate in written format that they can take a year or 5 years or any term they choose because their is little the home owners can do about it.
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