As a property owner in Scotland, your factor should be your trusted partner, ensuring your building is well-maintained, your finances are transparent, and your investment is protected. But what happens when that partnership starts to feel one-sided?
Persistent issues with your property factor can lead to stress, unexpected costs, and even damage the value of your investment. If you’re asking yourself, “Is my property factor doing enough?”, you’re not alone.
Here are the five key signs that it might be time to make a change.
1. Chronic Communication Breakdown
This is often the biggest complaint. You should not have to chase your factor for basic updates.
- Signs to look for: Emails and phone calls go unanswered for days. You receive no proactive updates on ongoing repairs or essential maintenance. You feel out of the loop about decisions affecting your property.
- Why it matters: Poor communication can turn a minor issue into a major emergency. A good factor, like our team at Homes Book, prioritises clear, consistent communication, keeping you informed every step of the way.
2. Unexplained or Skyrocketing Fees
Transparency is non-negotiable when it comes to your money. You have a right to understand what you are paying for.
- Signs to look for: Invoices are vague, with costs listed as “miscellaneous” or “admin fees” without a clear breakdown. Your regular service charge seems to increase significantly without a clear justification or planned works schedule.
- Why it matters: A lack of financial transparency can hide inefficiency or even mismanagement. We believe in clear, detailed accounting, so you always know where your money is going. Explore our transparent approach to property factoring services.
3. Slow or Ineffective Response to Repairs
From a leaking roof to a faulty close door, delayed repairs pose a risk to safety, cause inconvenience to tenants, and can lead to more extensive damage.
- Signs to look for: Routine repairs take weeks to be actioned. Emergency issues are not treated with urgency. The contractors used are consistently unreliable or do poor quality work.
- Why it matters: A proactive maintenance schedule and a reliable network of tradespeople are hallmarks of a quality factor. Prompt, effective repairs protect your asset and everyone living in it.
4. Lack of Proactive Planning
A property factor shouldn’t just react to problems; they should actively prevent them.
- Signs to look for: You never see a long-term maintenance plan. The factor seems to be constantly firefighting issues that could have been anticipated, like cyclical painting or gutter cleaning. There is no strategy for the building’s reserve fund.
- Why it matters: Proactive planning saves you money in the long run and ensures the building is cared for properly, preserving and even enhancing its value.
5. A General Feeling of Mistrust
Ultimately, you should have confidence that your factor is acting in the best interests of you and your property. If that trust has eroded, the relationship is no longer serving you.
Making the Switch: It’s Simpler Than You Think
If you’ve recognised these signs, the thought of changing factors might seem daunting. However, the process is straightforward, and a good new factor will guide you through it.
The first step is often a simple majority vote among the other owners in your building. A professional and reputable factor will handle most of the administrative legwork for you, making the transition as smooth as possible.
You deserve a property factor who sees you as a partner, not just a reference number. You deserve a team that is transparent, communicative, and proactive.
Ready for a Better Factoring Experience?
If your current property factor is letting you down, it’s time to talk to Homes Book. As a leading property factor in Glasgow and across Central Scotland, we build our service on the foundations of clear communication, financial transparency, and proactive property management.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation and discover how we can take the stress out of managing your property.
