FAQs
Q. What time are LRM offices open?
Our offices are open Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm. We also operate an emergency out-of-hours service after 5.30pm and at weekends. This service is for urgent repairs and health & safety issues only.
Q. Is LRM my Management Company?
No. We are the agents who have been appointed by your Management Company , Developer or Freeholder to administer the day to day running of the developments. Other responsibilities include preparation of budgets for the day to day running of the building, collection of any charges due to the Management Company, appointing/organising payments to contractors.
Q. Why do I pay a service charge?
This is to cover the provision of services which are detailed in the terms of the Lease. This can include plant & machinery maintenance, window cleaning, gardening, communal electricity, minor repairs, buildings insurance, agent management and accountancy fees. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to your annual service charge budget which is issued each year by your Property Manager.
Q. Why do I pay ground rent?
Leaseholders may be obliged under the terms of their Lease to pay a rental charge to the Freehold owner of their property. This for the land upon which the property is built and for the rights of access across the communal gardens and surrounding areas. Ground rent is collected on behalf of the freeholder by LRM and is separate to any other charges which are used for the management of your development. Some freeholders demand ground rent directly from leaseholders.
Q. How do I pay my service charge?
Once you have received your service charge demand you will need to pay your service charge as soon as possible, certainly by the due date in order to avoid any potential arrears charges. You can pay by cheque, bank transfer (BACS) or over the phone by calling our accounts team.
Q. How do I change my correspondence/billing address?
If you are changing your correspondence address, please contact us so we can amend our records. If we are not notified of your address change, we cannot notify you of any important issues at your development. In addition we will not be able to send your service charge invoices to the correct address. Any arrears charges ensuing will become payable without proof of notification.
Q. What happens if I do not settle my account or withhold payments?
If you do not pay charges on time which are allocated to you under the terms of your lease, then the following may occur. Services to the property or planned works may be suspended pending receipt of outstanding or due monies. The management company may instruct the managing agent (us) to take steps to legally recover the outstanding debt. If you have a query or payment difficulties, please contact us at the earliest opportunity. We will always endeavour to assist with additional information or advice.
Q. Why do I pay building insurance in my charges?
Under the terms of your lease, it is likely that you are responsible for contributing to the cost of ensuring the property has adequate Buildings Insurance. If the responsibility for this falls to the management company, then you are liable for your share of the contribution to the cost of the insurance policy through them. Please note that if buildings insurance is paid through the management company, you do not need to arrange separate buildings insurance yourself. However you will still need to arrange separate contents insurance and if sub-letting your apartment, appropriate Landlord's insurance.
To make a claim on your buildings insurance, please read the building insurance claim procedure document or contact LRM's office for advice.
Q. Why do I pay extra for major works such as external redecoration?
The service charge budget is primarily designed to budget for the day-to-day costs of managing your property on an annual basis.. Often a sum of money is allocated to a 'reserve' which is used to fund unexpected costs or major works. Even where such a provision exists, it may not be enough to cover all eventualities. On these occasions, the costs of major works will need to be apportioned and charged as a separate item.
Q. How do I report a fault/repair?
To report any faults or repairs for communal parts please contact your Property Manager
Q. How do I arrange for the removal of bulk refuse, old furniture etc?
You should call your Local Authority to determine where the nearest waste disposal/recycling depot is located. You can find out more information on the upmystreet.com website.
Q. Where is my allocated parking bay?
Please refer to the plan that was provided to you with your lease when you purchased your property. If you do not have a copy, please contact us and we may be able to either provide you with one, or assist in directing you to the appropriate contact
Q. How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
You should contact us with full details of the vehicle. Please ensure you provide as much detail as possible as we cannot facilitate any requests without: make, model, colour, tax expiry date, and location of the vehicle.
Q. How do I report problems of noise/nuisance caused by other residents?
In the first instance we always ask residents to try and resolve any issues with their neighbours directly. Should the problem persist please contact your Local Authority's Environmental Health Officer. In extreme cases call the police if you feel this is appropriate.
Q. I am buying/selling a property in an LRM managed development - how do I or my solicitor obtain information?
If you are in the process of selling or purchasing a property managed by LRM, please contact us and we will be able to advise further. It is important that all sales and purchases are notified to LRM due to legal requirements which may differ depending on the terms of the lease.
