Totnes ResidentialTalk to us

Questions we hear often

What leaseholders ask us before they get in touch

These are the things people want to know before handing over the running of their building.

What does a managing agent actually do for our block?

We handle the day-to-day running of the building. That covers service charge budgeting and collection, arranging repairs, insurance, health and safety checks, and keeping the accounts and records in order. You keep control of decisions through the lease and the directors.

We are a small block of flats in Totnes. Do you only take on large developments?

No. We work with blocks of different sizes, including smaller buildings in and around Totnes. What matters is whether we can give the block proper attention and whether the lease terms fit how we work.

How do your fees work, and who pays them?

We set out our fees clearly before you appoint us, so there are no surprises. They are usually paid from the service charge as a management cost, in line with the lease and agreed budget. We will explain exactly how it applies to your building.

Can you take over from a previous agent or from the directors?

Yes, this happens often. We ask for the handover records, accounts, contracts and any outstanding issues. We agree a start date and write to leaseholders to explain what changes and who to contact for what.

Who decides on major works and how the money is spent?

Major works and spending decisions rest with the leaseholders or the directors, following the lease and, where it applies, the formal consultation process. We prepare the information, obtain quotes and then carry out what has been agreed.

How do we get in touch if something needs fixing?

You contact us directly by phone or email. We log the issue, tell you what happens next, and keep you updated until the repair is done. For anything urgent, we set out clear out-of-hours arrangements.

Behind the paperwork

Why we look after leasehold blocks in Totnes

Totnes Residential is the trading name of TOTNES MILL LANE MANAGEMENT LIMITED, a leasehold block management service based in the town. We look after residential blocks for leaseholders and residents who want the building run properly and the paperwork kept straight.

Much of what goes wrong in a block is not dramatic. It is a repair left waiting, a service charge no one can explain, or a set of accounts that arrives late. We work to keep those things in order, so the everyday running of the building does not become a running argument.

We are local, and that matters. We can visit a building, meet the people who live there and deal with local trades face to face. When a problem is reported, we can see it for ourselves rather than guess from a description over the phone.

Our role is to advise and to act, not to take control away from the people who own the building. You make the decisions that are yours under the lease. We do the groundwork, explain the options in plain English, and then carry out what has been agreed.

We keep the money side clear. Budgets are set out in advance, spending is recorded, and leaseholders can see what has been paid for. If something unusual comes up, we say so early rather than let it land as a surprise on the next bill.

If you are a director, a leaseholder or a freeholder thinking about how your block is managed, we are happy to talk it through. There is no pressure and no hard sell. We will tell you honestly whether we are the right fit for your building.