Parks manage my flat in Brighton, seem to do as good a job as any, my flat's never been empty and I've had all my rent. A good commission rate too if you haggle.
This sector is rife with unscrupulous agents , backhanders and downright fraud so it is well worthwhile doing some research and asking some relevant questions - I would suggest compiling a series of questions along the lines of;
1. What are your procedures for procuring contractors and professional services at the most competitive cost?
2. What are the hourly rates chargeable for varying levels of the agents staff - surveyors, associates, directors?
3. Are insurances for the block purchased through the open market or is the managing agent an agent for an insurance company or provider and will earn commission off of them;
4. Obtain a list of standard services for the given fee and then get them to quote for additional block specific items that you may need on a regular basis - you then wont be hit with additional costs at a possibly extortionate rate!
5. Check with the relevant regulatory body - ARMA? - on the level of complaints, if any, over the last 5 years and whether these were upheld?
6. Ask the agent the same?
Just a few ideas that you may have already thought of but as someone who has current issues with a MA I don't trust the barstewards one bit!!
It sounds like a good way i mean having a good source of discussing thing which works like nothing else.What you have talked about is surely a way of knowing how the most general factors moves on and we can get to have an outcome which is necessary.