Q
We are a block of 8 with a couple of shops below, and we do not qualify for right to manage.
Our landlord is a wide-boy and we successfully took him to the tribunal for historic neglect last year.
Is there anything we can do to be rid of him?
A
An alternative to right to manage is to ask for a section 24 court appointed manager. As this landlord has already demonstrated fault, this might not be too difficult to achieve.
A section 24 appointment takes the management out of the landlord’s hands. This in itself is hugely beneficial.
But the administration is accountable to the courts, not you the leaseholders. So he will authorise the expenditure of your money.
There have been controversial section 24 appointments. Leaseholders have complained that they have become a meal-ticket for the court appointed manager, who racks up charges with no restraints.
However, tribunals will be sympathetic to leaseholders suggesting who they want as the section 24 appointment. So choose a good one – say an LKP accredited one – and it should work out.
