KINGSTON PROPERTY SERVICES LIMITED Arvostelua 

KPS really are an absolute shambles. Quick enough to take your money but cannot be bothered to fix urgent repairs.

It was acknowledged last year that the roof of the property we own was needing a full replacement, as patch repairs were no longer a financially viable or sustainable solution. As Director, I signed the job off as there were sufficient funds available.

We were informed that stage 2 of the Section 20 was being actioned in July, and the roofing company to be instructed to commence work thereafter. It is now November and absolutely no progress has been made.

During the last bout of bad weather we had to puncture the ceiling in the hallway to relieve the pressure from the water ingress and there has been additional water damage to the interior walls - which we will have to foot the bill for due to KPS's tardiness in replacing the roof.

Numerous calls to KPS and lots of conversations with people who, quite frankly, don't know their arse from their elbow , we are no further forward.

Last week we were told that our property manager was on A/L, this week we have been told she no longer works for the company. It would have been courteous to inform owners of this change in management and also to introduce their replacement.

As I understand S20 has to be completed in a certain timeframe, if this is not fulfilled then the whole procurement process has to start again. This is completely unsatisfactory and we are increasingly frustrated with the appalling level of service and communication.

Would someone please tell us when the roof will be replaced and who the new property manager is.

We hold KPS fully culpable for any additional leaks and water ingress between now and the roof being replaced and will be seeking legal action, if necessary.

Additionally, we have not had an AGM for a number of years, which I am sure is a breach of leasehold agreement.

I put the date as 1st of November, but this is ongoing. Kingston property service do absolutely nothing.

Our building has a secure garage. Over the summer the garage door becomes unfunctional and was removed. This was not communicated to the property owners. I had contact Kingston, first by email and then by telephone before I got an acknowledgement of the issue. I was told by the engineering team that the door had been removed late July, and that due to sourcing difficulties they were not able to repair/replace the door until October 14th, with a "I hope that helps" message. Of course it didn't help! If there was difficulties replacing the door like for like, in a timely manor, then alternative suppliers/manufacturers should have been found - two and a half months where people's car insurance would have been voided due to Kingston's inaction and lack of responsibility.

I informed them of this on the phone and said that I want the residents meetings to begin again, with a representative from Kingston. In the early 2010s, these occurred relatively frequently. I also asked for Kingston to start to communicate with the property owners regarding maintenence and serious repairs to the building (I recieved a letter personally informing me that they saw one of the slats of a blind was damaged, this was deemed serious enough to warrant them to communicate with me to ask me to make changes within my property), but I was told that they couldn't communicate with us regarding the trivial acts of maintenence and damage to the building (i.e. their responsibilities).

I further recieved an email on Friday the 1st of November, saying "We have forwarded your inquiries to the appropriate department, and they have clarified that there is no necessity for an annual general meeting (AGM). General meetings can be convened at any time; however, Kingston does not organize these meetings, as they are initiated by the on-site directors." So passing the buck onto mysterious and anonymous "on-site directors".

And regarding communication with the residents regarding maintenence, and examples of what our fees our monthly fees of £254.82 contribute to I got this response:

"While we strive to keep residents informed, the complexities and timelines involved do not always permit timely updates. I understand this may not be the response you were hoping for, and I regret any inconvenience this may cause, but there is little more I can assist you with at this moment."

The only reason to refuse to do this is to avoid scrutiny and accountability to those who pay the exorbitant fees. There is a clear dereliction of responsibility by Kingston Property Serices, here.

Majority of costs incurred are the benefit of this mafia company and their directors to profit from. Very little of the costs incurred when the accounts are distributed are attributable to the upkeep of the estate.

Unfortunately this is a racket which needs to be looked at by parliament asap.

People cannot have living costs in the hands of crooks such as these who go over the yearly charges time and time again to request more money from homeowners.

Spoke to Helen today with a couple of issues she was really helpful and friendly and she was a pleasure to speak to

My email was replied to with helpful information very quickly - I think the same day. I asked for something else to help as resolving the problem and this was complied with again no problem from the very helpful member of staff at Kingston - she said I could put her name but not sure if I should on Trustpilot.

Professional staff problems still outstanding, however I was assured things will be done

I called Kingston Property Services this morning and spoke to Helen Trotter. She was very friendly, professional and helpful. She dealt with the issue I had called about immediately which was great as I had been worried about it

Anthony was extremely helpful with setting up my account on portal😊he explained everything, was respectful & polite.
Thank you Anthony

Phoned up as couldn't make payment online as they never had my email address.
Gentlemen took details and sorted the online login made payment over the phone,next time I will be able to sort online.
Made it very easy to sort great help.
Thanks

I’m struggling to think of a single productive word to describe these bandits
Nope can’t think of one
Totally shambolic, from a communication point of view
Totally shambolic, with regards to dreaming up administrative figures for owners to alter anything in their own house
Totally shambolic, with regards to trying to get hold of
Totally shambolic, with regards to getting a straight answer out of
Pay monthly management fee
For what? SFA

Julie understood my problem and patiently talked me through to a solution.

She said she would call me back to confirm all ok -which she did.

Extremely disappointed with this company, now operating as Open Spaces. These cowboys are forced onto Home Owners and quite frankly from my experience use fear and aggressive tactics. They claim they send welcome packs, details of fees and what our money pays for but when confronted the only response is “computer says these have been sent” even though I have not been aware until they have involved a solicitor. There needs to be a change in policy and law stop these companies operating.

I spoke the Helen, who was very pleasant and helpful and gave me the advice I needed.

Called and Anthony resolved my issue pleasantly and efficiently

I spoke to Helen Trotter and she was very helpful, pleasant and dealt with my request promptly.

I spoke today with Helen Trotter about a dead bird on the roof of the. Building where I live. After sending in a photograph I received an email advising the matter was in hand and the deceased bird would be removed asap.
Helen was very friendly helpful and dealt with my issue very professionally.

Absolute excellent customer service, dealt with the issue thoroughly and professionally. Could not ask for more. Thank you

Be very aware that the 5 star reviews on here are mostly been prompted by Kingston themselves.

The 1 star reviews tell the real story.

The poor reputation of Kingston around the area is well known amongst property professionals and they advise clients to avoid Kingston like the Black Death (from a local RICS surveyor)

Run from a small unit on Kingston Park industrial estate just outside Newcastle, everyone seems to have their snouts in the trough. (look on Google maps)

If you're one of the 50 or so employee's of Kingston and you're reading this, you should be embarrassed.
Badgering people to leave a five star review on the back of a phone enquiry, in fact it must be a pretty bad place to work, the staff turnover is non stop (Glassdoor employee website)

The way they treat leaseholders, threatening and bullying, many of them elderly, disabled and vulnerable is a disgrace and needs investigating.

The invent a service charge which is not itemised and provides no service whatsoever, increasing rapidly year on year, just fees, fees and more fees.

Enquires are unresolved and emails ignored and unanswered.

The service charges increase rapidly year on year and they do virtually nothing for them - the work they do undertake is overpriced and sub standard, undertaken by contractors who should be wearing Mickey Mouse ears.

Fees on our complex have trebled in the last 3 years.

You're unable to challenge these fees and they know it.

If you withhold payment whilst waiting for an answer to your legitimate question you are threatened with a £50+vat 'administration' fee on top of the already inflated bill.

This company are merely lining their pockets at your expense.

Corporate vampires.

I recommend you apply for the 'Right to Manage' from the Governments website and take over the right to manage the property yourselves.

They also have millions of your money in the 'reserve fund' earning them a nice little rate of interest along with the usual management fee.

Gotta love the self awarded prizes they seem to get every year too, still, need something to justify the £500 a plate annual London bash they go to.

(Kingston: Please don't bother with your usual 'cut and paste' reply promising communication, you're rubbish and everyone knows you are, even yourselves)

The review that just won't go away...

Julie was very helpful and polite . I didn’t have information she required so she gave me time to collect it and rang me back I just thought she she was polite and patient.

My query was handle quickly and efficiently