“Tried for 3 weeks now to speak to the manager for our flats no response
They have stopped doing any work on our estate garden now looks like a jungle
Legalised robbers”
“A truly dreadful experience. We have had to endure First Port (previously Blenheim Property Management) for 2 years. Their property managers position has been changed at least three times in this period as the individuals have left seeking better employment elsewhere. No continuity, almost no communication, faceless and very unreliable. Fortunately we have finally decided to ditch them and replaced them with a local independent company who gives a damn. Elliot Terrace, Plymouth.”
“This is just an absolutely disgraceful company, if that is even a legitimate label - they are essentially fraudulent criminals, just making up charges. Please can someone report them to Police ASAP.”
“Everything! Still waiting for a leak into our property from a balcony above. Put a note under the door they said, get in contact that way. Sort it out between leaseholders - property above is empty, our property is tenanted, had no contact details. It’s 5 months ago the leak started and still persists. They are absolutely appalling, I now have 3 properties in different parts of the country, managed by them, they need to be deregistered or whatever and put out of business. Charge the earth and do NOTHING!”
“I have not been supported in anyway still cant log into my account.or contact customer service by phone I'm finding the whole experience very stressful.
Iused to access my account prior to April.”
“I am writing to make you aware of a situation me and my wife find ourselves in. We live on an estate that has recently been taken over by the management company FirstPort after Persimmon handed it over earlier this year. At this point the Persimmon directors for the Estate resigned leaving the Estate with no-one to represent it since February. We have recently sold our house to Taylor Whimpey as we are moving, they subsequently sold it on before we have moved out. The new buyers however are unable to get a mortgage on our house due to a clause in our contract that we signed when we bought the house that means that Persimmon and FirstPort can repossess the house if we don't pay the maintenance fee each year. This is a clause that has been since removed on all new builds as it means that the mortgage company can't repossess the house if the person defaults on the mortgage.
The position we find ourselves in is we need a Deed of Variation signed to remove this clause by a director for the Estate from FirstPort. Persimmon have already signed it as have we. Despite various attempts to find out if there is someone else that can sign this Deed in the absence of a director we have been told this is not possible at all. We have also been told there is noone lined up for this position and no-one interested on the Estate meaning this will not be resolved for many months.
This now means that we will probably loose the sale on our house and loose our new house. I just do not see how a company cannot have other directors or similar who can deal with issues such as this. There are many other people selling thier homes on the estate and it may well be that they will find this an issue too. I have asked to raise a complaint with FirstPort but they have not responded to my request.”
“Complaint regarding excessive charges for document-related services
Barratt Homes Management Company FIRST PORT I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction with the recent request for payment in relation to the documents pertaining to my flat at Eastman Village Harrow, Focus Apartments. As a resident and a paying customer, I believe it is essential to address this matter promptly and seek a satisfactory resolution.
Firstly, I would like to highlight my disappointment with the overall quality of services provided by the management company. Despite paying a substantial annual fee of nearly £2500, in addition to the ground rent for my 2-bedroom flat, I have encountered numerous issues that have compromised my confidence in the company's management abilities.
However, the recent request for payment ranging from £550 to £875 for the documents related to my flat has been particularly concerning. It is my understanding that such charges should be covered within the scope of the services provided by the management company. I fail to comprehend why a significant amount is being levied for the simple task of emailing a few documents and our accounts. This appears to be an excessive charge for a service that should be part of the standard amenities provided to residents.
Furthermore, this unexpected financial burden has come at an inconvenient time for me, as I am currently in the process of selling my property. The additional charges have caused unnecessary stress and delay, hindering the smooth progression of the sale. As a customer, I believe it is within my rights to expect a fair and transparent pricing policy that aligns with the services being rendered.
I kindly request that you review the fee structure for document-related services and consider revising it to ensure fairness and affordability for residents. I believe that such a reconsideration would not only demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction but also foster a positive and harmonious living environment within the community.
I look forward to a prompt response addressing my concerns and providing a resolution to this matter. I trust that you will take my complaint seriously and take appropriate action to rectify the situation.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
“How they are legally trading amazes me, FirstPort are certainly unethical and pray on people for money they won't prove they are entitled to because they won't share any itemised billing. They also returned my paid invoice and charged me further late fees even though I was forced under duress to pay them”
“I genuinely feel sorry for the staff. They are being let down by the management and leaders so badly it's harming their job prospects.
This company is a disgrace, the level of incompetence in every department is staggering. frankly i do not know how they are allowed to continue servicing anything. the company should be broken up and given to competent companies. As an estate, we are now (if you can believe this) begging the council to take over the estate management and considering paying them additional fees to do so.
That is how bad this company is £3,600 per year, to cut one green four times a year. and additional £7,000 to maintain the street and its lights. we have cracked pavements, broken curbs and lights that only work between dawn and midnight. oh, did i mention £2,700 for admin - a disgrace and a joke. they need suing.”
“Their services are completely horrible and ridiculous. Firstly, they have an issue with receiving parcels. I have lived in several buildings over the years and this is the first time I have encountered such an issue. Secondly, expecting any repairs from them is a joke. They take days to reply to basic emails and never have any updates. We have gone months without basic repairs being done, resulting in a bad case of mould in the house. Choose any other property management company but please don't pick them.”
“We have been trying to sell our apartment for over 12 months now , We lost our first sale because of Firstport's incompetence and failure to act in a timely manner, they took over 6 months to respond to our buyers questions which meant our seller could not wait any longer as they only had a 6 month mortgage offer .
Second sale fell through at the last hurdle as our purchaser discovered the " Service Charge " had increased by several hundred pounds per annum.
Our third sale is in progress now and guess who is holding up the process .
Firstport were contacted by our solicitor on 7 Feb and are still awaiting a reply despite promises of " We will escalate this case " We have put this case as a priority " and "We have given this case to a senior manager "
All complete lies , this company have cost us close to £2000 in lost sales costs, surveyor fees and search fees .
Avoid Firstport at all costs , very quick to take your money though”
“Whatever your complaint there is no reply.
Oh ,sorry,yes they acknowledge the email.
That's it....Problems are very rarely fixed.
Only if it's absolutely necessary, and you persevere for months
There quick to let you know when you need to pay them...
Absolutely non functioning company.
I wish they could be replaced with a genuine company”
“Absolutely terrible. Astronomical service charges with very poor services and customer services being provided. My building should have concierge cover Monday to Friday for the extended working day and the cover is barely there. The maintenance issues list grows daily and very little is being done. Terrible service terrible value for money”
“I don't want to waste another day talking about this poor excuse for a company and so i will keep this short
Been trying to get a refund as my account is supposedly in credit, this has been communicated by First Port via emails. All proof is there. Now they are claiming that my account is no longer in credit and they cannot refund me. Money thieves and for what exactly, where does the money go? Sure as heck not on maintenance of the building
How is this company still in business?
Incompetent fools”