Macfie & Co

Rather than explore the extensive files in relation to this particular property, it might be more straight-forward to examine the essence of the relationship between Factor and Client and how that relationship did not work in this case. In short, it is the responsibility of collective owners to provide the Factor with sufficient instruction and funding to undertake common repairs. It is not the Factor's responsibility to undertake a major repairs project in the hope that the costs would somehow be recoverable following completion. Within the backdrop of continual arrears in this building, it became progressively more difficult to persuade the proprietors of the block to fund even the most basic repairs. From my own experience of the property, this culture was prevalent for over twenty years, which would perhaps account for the state the building eventually fell into. Far from electing to leave the collective owners 'in the lurch', we continued in our appointment (accruing substantial and, in some cases, irrecoverable arrears) and attempted to achieve a turn-around. This obviously proved fruitless. While it pleases me to hear that the proprietors have finally accepted their responsibilities, I am unable to accept the blame for any of the complaints detailed within the review. Before traducing the name of my firm on the internet, it might have been more advisable to look closer to home in terms of identifying the source of the longstanding difficulties.

The Code of Conduct for Property Factors requires "property factors have clear procedures to deal with non-payment situations and take action as early as possible to prevent them from developing into a problem" MacFie & Co failed at this task and non-payment did become a problem; one which apparently incurred your company substantial/unrecoverable arrears. If you felt unable to sufficiently manage and maintain the property (for whatever reason), I assume you clearly stated as such and terminated the contract? Did this happen or did you continue until shown the door, knowing you were unable to provide an effective service, yet still collecting fees? The opportunity cost of not stepping aside to let someone else more capable manage the building (and residents) is apparent in terms of both money and satisfaction - as evidently neither the tasks required, nor client expectations, have been dealt with. The reason for NOT continuing is because a conflict of interest emerges; a factor is unable to act impartially on behalf of residents when further work may incur his company losses. The notion of persevering for years out of goodness of your hearts "to turn the situation around" appears suspect, no, I'd hasten it's lucrative to be paid to factor a property where the residents are supposedly blocking even the most basic of tasks you'd be in charge of administrating. None of the specific points raised in the original post were addressed in a reply which appeared only as an attempt to defer blame. This substantiates the accusation of evasiveness, and smacks of contempt- presenting a subjective summary, concluding no fault on your part; then congratulating your previous clients for getting their affairs - ones which you were paid to manage - in order. Customer handling 101 - fail; if anyone is traducing the name of their firm...it's you.

Graham, I would be extremely keen to learn of how you went about serving notice and getting a new factor who does the job they're paid to do. My building currently has Macfie as factors and they are awful to deal with. Any help on how we could get rid of them and appoint a better company would be much appreciated.

The above brings back memories ,in the 90,s owned a flat in Queen's Park,one incident that stands out was one of there tenants complained to them about the smell from the flat on the same landing ,macfie rather than confront the offending tenant directly,,decided to send a copy of the complainers letter to the other letter,I was privy to all this ,as being in the same close the grapevine is palapable,upshot was the aggrieved tenant decided to challenge the complainer to a fight,only my intervention saved a rather ugly scene,,the above is not to mention there ridiculous way of operating,