The ‘In the same boat’ post I added back in March 2008 has recieved by far the most attention of all information on the site.

For this reason, and in response to several requests I have had by email, I have decided to expand it into a category of its own, giving people, developments and residents associations the opportunity to have their own thread. Hopefully this will also fulfil the requests I have had for putting people in touch with each other on their own estates – strength in numbers etc!

The category name is (predictably) ‘In the same boat’ and all threads can be reached throught the category list down the right hand side of the page.

The original post and all the comments will remain in place at the bottom of the category. Rather than simply adding the individual threads from the comments already recieved I am inviting everyone who wishes their own thread to fill in the form below so we have uniform set of information.

When posting and commenting please ensure to take a profesional approach and, as emotive as I know many peoples experiences are, keep it clean and above all non-liablous. Please also take the time to read the legal disclaimer with reference to commenting.

Simply fill in the form below to get the ball rolling!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00jf7l9

I’ll add it to the video/media section when I get time.

This is by far the worst case materially I have seen and I sincerely hope RMG are sufficiently shamed into acting for the sake of the poor residents so I don’t want to belittle it but, while the programme is a good expose and the problems at this development are obviously dreadful, I was a little dissapointed they didn’t dig deeper. How RMG/CPM operate with respect to fee levels and ‘debt’ collection, their bullying tactics and attitude towards correspondance was not touched upon. The presenter states that the residents are paying £1600 per year each which is excorbitant. Multiply by 36 flats and that’s £57,600 per year – and then we hear the old CPM/RMG adage “There isn’t enough money!”. Then where the hell has it gone? Come on Watchdog, this is where the real issue lies, show everyone how much they cream off for the ’service’ of neglecting your home and ignoring your concerns.

I would like to know everyones thought on this so drop your comment in the box below (you’ll need to register/login). Also, Nicky Cambell says at the end of that section that they want to hear from anyone experiencing similar difficulties. That is an open invitation people! You can contact them through their web page at …

http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/gotastory/

Thread started by Tony Kirkbank.
Chairman – Chislet Gardens Residents Association

The Chislet Gardens Estate at Hersden, near Canterbury, is a development of some 200 households built by Wimpey snd Westbury some 4/5 years ago. New householders/freeholders were advised that CPM would be charging £88 per annum for maintainance charges referring to small areas of shrubbery along borders and a small area of grass fronting a Close. Up until now, the estate had not been ‘completed’ and no charges were forthcoming. The minimal work was carried out by a Wimpey-paiod gardener on Monday mornings (sometimes). The finances of our Management Company showed a balance of nil. In November 2008, all residents received invoices from CPM, dated from 1st September 2008, demanding payment of Management fees amounting to over £190 an increase of well in excess of 100%, without explanation of the itemised increases. CPM were not due to take over this estate until January this year, so why bill from last September!!! These charges were immediately challenged and letters sent by recorded delivery remain unacklowledged and unanswered, but, on 3rd December, CPM relented and withdrew the new charges pending a meeting with residents. Threats of legal action against non-payers were also withdrawn. On 17th December, all residents then received a FINAL DEMAND of the £190 togther with threats of an additional £125 debt collection if not paid within 5 days. After immediate calls by various residents and other action, an e-mail apology was received, together with an acknowledgement that a formal letter of apology was appropriate. This 17th Dec letter was also read by an elderly lady resident whose husband has a heart condition. She had also panicked when the letter was opened and telephoned the Customer Care number at RMG shown on her letter. She was put through to an operative who advised her that she should pay the demand straight away or else legal action would be taken against her. She telephoned me in tears and I was able to advise her that the Credit Control Office of CPM had admitted an error. What a way to run a business. We are now armed with a new Residents Association and will be continuing the ideal in getting CPM away from our Estate business by following the lead taken by this site’s author – and I thank him very much for his efforts! We are still awaiting a meeting by CPM with residents but I expect that their new 2009 bill will arrive first. Watch this space. Tony

If so, drop a comment into this post. Tell us which development you live at and, if you have a residents website or forum, what the url is and I’ll list it in the ‘In the same boat’ links along with the other drenched souls.

NB. When commenting please ensure you supply a valid email address. While all comments will be kept on file, only comments with valid and confirmed email addresses will be included in the posts. Please supply the name and location of your developement and the title of your RPMC.

< – - – edit 10|Jan|09 – - – >

Comments for this original post are now turned off. To let us know if you are ‘In the same boat’, and to get your own dedicated thread, please see the description/explanation at the top of the category ‘We are in the same boat!’. This original post will remain in place as do the comments.