Replacing FirstPort?

I'm ashamed to say its over 8 months since I last posted on this topic. Its not that nothing has happened, but there have been lots of nit-picking arguments with no big event that makes me think "Yes, people will be interested in this".

Back in 2016 I wrote to FirstPort pointing out that their fees were increasing way above inflation and calling for them to be reduced. After getting no response I then wrote to Holdings & Management (Solitaire) Ltd pointing out that they have a fiduciary duty to act in our best interests, and calling on them to do so by putting the management contract out to tender.

The first result of this was the "Customer Satisfaction Survey" from Estates & Management last April. Holdings & Management (Solitaire) Ltd are only a holding company: if they need to do anything then they hire an agent to do it. Estates & Management are the agent dealing with my "complaint".

Since then I have been dealing with Jennifer Gibson, who works for Estates & Management. We had a long and tedious exchange of emails about whether the "Account Preparation Fee" was a legitimate part of the management fees and how this related to the agreement we made with FirstPort back in 2012. Then Jennifer Gibson seems to have invited two smaller and more local managing agents to bid for the work. Both of them asked to visit the estate, so in November I took a day off work to show them around and answer their questions. They subsequently submitted bids, copied to me, which I shared with the Committee. I can't publish them here because they are confidential, but any member who is interested can have a look.

When I asked Jennifer Gibson if I could see the other bids she explained that these were the only companies she had asked to bid. I was disappointed by this as during our own bidding exercise in 2011 we had invited other companies to bid, and I had specifically asked both Holdings & Management (Solitaire) Ltd and Jennifer Gibson to include these companies this time as well. So on 7th December I sent Jennifer Gibson yet another copy of the list of bidders from 2011. I haven't heard anything back, so its time I sent yet another email to chase progress.

More news as it eventuates. I'll try not to leave it so long next time.