An unpopular factoring firm has been driven out of almost half of City Quay within a month after an uprising by owners.
Less than a month after losing phase one of the development, Ross and Liddell has announced its resignation from phases four and five following repeated clashes with the owners’ association.
The group is now celebrating its victory in removing the property manager which it claimed was charging too much and not delivering on maintenance.
Chairman of the Phase 4 and 5 Owners’ Association, Bill Newcombe, said the group was formed with the support of 82% of owners to improve the management and reduce the costs being charged for maintenance.
He said: “It has been a long struggle as although the owners’ association was formed in accordance with the conditions of the deeds, Ross and Liddell would not recognise it saying that it did not have the support of the majority of owners.
“We eventually had to instruct a legal firm to take up the fight on behalf of the association.
“The legal firm invited Ross and Liddell to view the support documents but this invitation was not taken up.
“As this process dragged on the owners decided to change property managers and the committee was at the final stage of selecting a new firm of property managers when Ross and Liddell decided to resign.”
Lynne Noble, secretary of the association, said owners are very happy to regain control of their development.
She said: “The biggest celebration was when they resigned from phase one and we realised we could get rid of them. We have done everything to the letter of the law.
“Ross and Liddell were charging so much there was no profit for the owners and as a result things weren’t getting done.
“It has been a huge slog as a huge number of owners are abroad and it took about a year to track them all down.
“We are ready to work with the new property manager to bring the property back to the flagship development it was designed to be as a major part of the Waterfront development.”
Ross and Liddell will continue as property managers until December 31.
A spokesperson for Ross and Liddell said: “We can confirm that we have terminated our appointment as property manager of phases four and five City Quay, by service of written notice to owners, in compliance with the terms of their service level agreement. Owners within the development have been advised on the reasons for termination.”