Royal Court, Hastings
Royal Court, a block of 16 purpose-built apartments, sits proudly in central Hastings, overseeing the grounds of Alexandra Park.
In 2017, the Residents Management Company made contact with Oakfield’s Block Management department, to explore the possibility of a tailored management service. After being with their previous managing agent for a number of years, the board of directors believed that the service no longer suited their requirements. After reviewing the services that other local agents offered, Oakfield were honoured to be appointed as the new managing agent and successfully took over management of Royal Court in July 2017.
Since our time as managing agents we have built an extremely positive working relationship with the board of directors, which is made up of five leaseholders within the building.
As part of our fully managed service, Oakfield work closely with both leaseholders and tenants responding to all maintenance concerns. This can stem from the cleaning of the communal areas to intrusive damp surveys.
During the course of this year, we have been involved with investigations into the cause of severe internal damp within one of the apartments. Meridian Surveyors were appointed to produce a defect report highlighting the works required. Upon receipt of the report arrangements have been made to collate tenders for the works required, with the works being completed imminently.
A significant part of our management is to ensure the building meets the minimum requirements of all current legislation, with us recently completing fire safety works throughout the building. Following the release of the Building Safety Act 2022, an annual fire risk assessment was carried out, which consists of a qualified risk assessor producing a report highlighting any risks. It was evident that a larger scale of fire safety works where required, resulting in the completion of Section 20 Consultation. Oakfield have assisted in the project by issuing the section 20 notices, obtaining and presenting the tenders to the board of directors, and instructing for the works to start. After being awarded the contract, SDS Builders and Decorators have recently completed these works to a high standard, resolving the highlighted risks.
After seven years of building a strong, working rapport with Royal Court (Apartments) Limited, Oakfield are excited to see what future the management brings.
A few words from our client, but says so much ……
Royal Court has been managed by Oakfield for the past seven years. Prior to that we had a terrible and very stressful experience with another local ‘family firm’ Block Management company. Oakfield fully understood the problems we had had with the previous company, and managed the takeover in a very efficient manner. Since the take over, we have been very satisfied with all the services provided by Oakfield. The company is well staffed with friendly and very knowledgeable personnel, who are always quickly responsive to requests and queries that we make. Thanks in particular to Bethany, Verity and Hannah for such good service. Another notable bonus has been the established relationships Oakfield have with reputable and pleasant tradespeople and companies. We have been very impressed with all the tradespeople/professionals that Oakfield have commissioned on our behalf. Overall we have a very positive relationship with Oakfield, and look forward to this continuing into the future. Working with Oakfield has made the role of our team of Directors undemanding and very smooth.
