Arlington House in Margate ends contract with Trinity Estates
06:00, 25 September 2019
updated: 07:04, 25 September 2019
People living in a Margate tower block say they are "relieved" a contract with the building's managing agent has been terminated following a series of safety failings.
Metropolitan Property Realizations (MPR) bosses have ended Trinity Estates' management of Arlington House as ongoing issues have not been resolved.
The building is owned by Thanet District Council, and is let to MPR on a long-term lease.
The contract termination comes in the wake of a two-day hearing in April, which was told of a number of mismanagement concerns.
In a verdict published in June, the judge ruled overall leaseholder MPR was collectively charging residents almost £30,000 too much for services.
The judge ordered MPR to slash its fees and told Trinity Estates - which was appointed by MPR to manage the building - to reduce its charges by almost a third following the "shortcomings of the managing agents".
Residents in the 142-flat block were due to receive a total of £105,000 in refunds following evidence raised in a case against tenant John Moss, who was brought to court by MPR, which claimed he owed more than £5,500 in missed payments.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service also issued an enforcement notice highlighting 14 failures which must be remedied by October 9. Trinity Estates will now be replaced by MPR.
A letter from MPR to a resident, dated September 3, says: “We are aware of the issues concerning Trinity Estates and their management of Arlington House.
“We had been meeting with them recently to try and get these issues resolved and see an improvement in their management of the building.
“Unfortunately this does not seem to be happening and as a result, we have served them with notice to terminate their appointment.
"Under the terms of their management agreement, there is a three-month notice period and their appointment will end on October 31.”
The company is in the process of appointing new agents with effect from November 1.
The letter adds: “One of our main criteria is that they are relatively local to Margate as we believe this will be beneficial to us and the residents in providing the best possible service.”
Resident Rob Yates, who is also a district councillor, has welcomed news of the contract termination.
He said: “I am relieved that the incompetent Trinity Estates are being removed from the day-to-day management of the block.
“Individual residents, the residents' association and Thanet District Council have highlighted their concerns to the landlord and they have finally seen the light and a new property management company will be in place from November 1.”
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