In a nutshell they left the two wooden balconies to rot, and are trying to get us to replace them with metal balconies for £31,000. A firm of building surveyors commissioned by the property managers to inspect the block in October 2018 reported that “the timber balustrades … are showing signs of timber decay”. However in July, the property managers, Hurford Salvi Carr (HSC), sent out letters putting the total estimated cost of the work including fees and VAT at £31,376. Freehold Managers is ultimately owned by a company called Euro Investments Inc, controlled by the Tchenguiz Family Trust. In a statement, Freehold Managers said: “HSC were appointed as property managers in May 2018, with responsibility for maintenance.

Source: The Guardian October 12, 2019 06:00 UTC