Major property management company FirstPort has been grilled by MPs about ‘poor performance’ and complaints from leaseholders.

A group of Labour MPs that was formed to examine issues with leasehold agents, summoned FirstPort bosses to explain why so many leaseholders were unhappy with its service.

Accusations

The company, which manages more than 300,000 properties across the UK, stands accused of hiking service charges, failing to carry out essential building maintenance, and not responding to resident concerns.

MPs presented evidence from residents, describing service charge increases of over 50% and frustrations with maintenance issues, the Basingstoke Gazette reports.

All too often they are using leaseholders as little more than cash cows.”

David Pinto-Duschinsky, who co-chaired the meeting with FirstPort, said: “I’ve had dozens and dozens of complaints about FirstPort’s unacceptable service charge hikes, poor service and lack of responsiveness and transparency.

“All too often they are using leaseholders as little more than cash cows to be milked for every penny. People are paying more and more, and getting less and less. Enough is enough,” he said.

List of demands

“This group of Labour MPs has come together to do everything we can to hold these unscrupulous managing agents to account.”

The MPs presented a list of demands to FirstPort, including the establishment of a hotline for MPs.

FirstPort MD Martin King attended the meeting, and a spokesperson for the company said: “We listened to the concerns raised by MPs, and we are committed to responding to the requests raised in the meeting, as well as working with the MPs on a longer term basis to demonstrate how the changes we are making at FirstPort will improve services.”

Pictured credit: Green Lights Ltd.