London MPs have demanded the boss of England's largest housing managing firm explain the alleged "poor" service it provides to some leaseholders while “aggressively” increasing charges.
Two dozen Labour MPs have written to FirstPort stating that they have received “consistent complaints” about the company from constituents and they are all of a “similar” nature.
In a letter addressed to FirstPort managing director Martin King they said: “Service charges have risen very significantly with little or no explanation and FirstPort has repeated failed to respond adequately to requests for summaries or evidence.”
The group added: “The standards of service have consistently been poor and do not justify the aggressive increases in service charges.”
Cities and Westminster MP Rachel Blake, Uxbridge and South Ruislip’s Danny Beales, Chipping Barnet’s Dan Tomlinson, Stratford and Bow’s Uma Kumaran and Hendon’s David Pinto-Duschinsky.
Mr Pinto-Duschinsky said: “My constituents are fed up with the high service charges and the shoddy service offered by managing agents like FirstPort.
“Enough is enough. We will hold these companies to account and fight for our residents to get a better deal.”
Leaseholders at St David’s Square on the Isle of Dogs have been embroiled in a years-long service charge dispute against FirstPort and the landlord it serves.
They had complained about the “eye-watering” cost of leasing of an electronic door entry system and gate management.
It had been put in place by developer Berkeley Group in 2000, but it cost residents almost £600,000 between 2018 and 2020 when a replacement could have been about half the price, a tribunal last year was told.
A spokesperson from the FirstPort Group, said: “We welcome the opportunity to meet with MPs to discuss the many changes and challenges in our industry, and how FirstPort is working to meet the needs and expectations of our residents against a backdrop of rapidly evolving regulation and economic change.
“As the largest property management company in the UK, serving over one million customers in more than 6,000 developments, we take our responsibilities to customers very seriously, and we work hard to meet their needs and expectations. We look forward to meeting with the MPs, to listen to and address the issues raised.”
