Block Management FAQs

Will your fees carry VAT?

Yes, Cosgroves are a VAT registered company.

What is your fee structure?

Cosgroves will tailor their fee depending on the number of units and work required.

How many blocks do you manage in Southsea, and how many units therein?

Cosgroves manage around one hundred blocks of flats in Southsea, ranging in size from 2 to 81 units.

Are you registered with the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA)?

Cosgroves Block Management are registered, ensuring the highest standards of professionalism and transparency with management support at all levels. For more information please visit arma.org.uk

How comprehensive a panel of contractors do you have?

Cosgroves have a complete range of professional contractors that we have used reliably over the years to provide all the services that could be required. Our contractors are constantly monitored for costs and efficiency.

How often does a representative from your company visit blocks you manage and check on how your contractors fulfill their obligations?

Cosgroves make regular periodic inspections (monthly if required, not less than quarterly) of all managed properties to ensure that their condition is satisfactory and any potential H&S hazards are addressed.

What IT facilities do you have and what information can you record and keep updated?

Cosgroves run a bespoke block management software program which we use daily to keep us completely up to date. All aspects of block management, service charges, reserve funds, ground rents, arrears collection and legal requirements are regularly updated by the software supplier.

Will service charge monies be kept in a segregated bank account with its own sort code and account number, and can it be inspected?

Cosgroves opens a new bank account for each block managed with its own sort code and account number, and a separate reserve fund account when required. They are maintained by our accounts department and the bank statements can be inspected at any time.

How do you deal with unpaid service charges - what procedures are in place to deal with non-paying lessees?

Cosgroves has an accounts department who will initially deal with the collection of any service charge arrears. Details of persistent non-paying lessees are passed to a reliable legal team for collection of arrears.

Your annual management fees are reasonable, but are your other charges also reasonable?

Yes, we only charge £75 + VAT to handle an insurance claim from start to finish, and £15 per lease (minimum £150 + VAT) to serve Section 20 notices. For a full price list, please email us.

Venture Housing Limited t/as Cosgroves is an appointed representative of Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Building 7th Floor, 55 Blysthwood Street, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC108909.