100% sales valuation accuracy
98% sales fee satisfaction
89% lettings valuation accuracy
97% lettings fee satisfaction
Aug 22,2013
Aug 22,2013
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It is simply a scandal that a large sum of flat owners' cash that is paid to secure a high standard of maintenance to their homes is held by unregulated and unprotected managing agents such as HSCPM, who seem to think it is acceptable to introduce fees and penalties as and when it suits them, using an 'excuse' every time referring to the Leasehold agreement, which in itself was derived from the Commonhold provisions in the 2002 Act which was itself poorly drafted and due for reform.
Even down to the insurances you arranged for our block managed by HSCPM - they clearly see this as a profit-making opportunity and the whole insurance market for blocks of flats is, as a result, distorted by the payment of excessively high commissions and quasi-commissions in various guises to brokers, intermediaries and others, often amounting to 30%, 40%, 50% or even higher percentages; thus, the premium charged to the flat owner is substantially higher than it should be, not to mention HSCPM's additional fees and penalties.
HSCPM is a member of ARMA and RICS, but both tend to put the interests of their members before the flat owners that they are supposed to serve, equally there are some excellent property managers who see little or no value in being a member of a trade association choosing instead to concentrate on excellent customer service. With my recent dealings with them, HSCPM is certainly not one of the latter!
The only way to get the 'rogues' out of the sector (such as HSCPM's predecessors Stonedale) is to have a compulsory independent licensing scheme with a high minimum standard, along with severe penalties for breaches of those required standards, and HSCPM is going that way too.
I'm not aware of any other sector in the UK where such significant funds held by a third party are totally unregulated and can in practice be a person or organisation without any qualification who sets up a property management business, irrespective of experience or even of a criminal background but nevertheless is able to take and hold these funds on behalf of flat owners.
This situation has resulted in flat owners being defrauded (our experience with Stonedale) or otherwise losing funds (our collective experience with Stonedale - although HSCPM are now trying to recoup these fees retrospectively.
Bizarrely, there is a whole statutory scheme of protection for rental deposits but none for leasehold home owners service charges who are obliged to advance much greater sums to look after the buildings in which they live, it is true legislation requiring deposits to be held in "trust" is in place but this is very difficult to enforce in an unregulated sector in practice.
It is absolutely essential that some system is devised so that such funds are protected by the Financial Insurance Services Compensation Scheme or similar.
Even if the funds are held in deposit accounts, because of the current limits, protected only up to £50,000 this may well be adequate for small blocks of flats, in the event of failure of the banking institution in question however larger blocks of flats would have minimal protection in such a situation.
And finally, does HSCPM carry out an annual audit by an 'independent' regulatory body? (not the trade association). Could we impose sanctions if they fail to comply?
It's about time this industry was fully investigated.
So HSCPM, maybe now you will think twice before treating your customers with the absolute contempt your company has shown of late.
Even down to the insurances you arranged for our block managed by HSCPM - they clearly see this as a profit-making opportunity and the whole insurance market for blocks of flats is, as a result, distorted by the payment of excessively high commissions and quasi-commissions in various guises to brokers, intermediaries and others, often amounting to 30%, 40%, 50% or even higher percentages; thus, the premium charged to the flat owner is substantially higher than it should be, not to mention HSCPM's additional fees and penalties.
HSCPM is a member of ARMA and RICS, but both tend to put the interests of their members before the flat owners that they are supposed to serve, equally there are some excellent property managers who see little or no value in being a member of a trade association choosing instead to concentrate on excellent customer service. With my recent dealings with them, HSCPM is certainly not one of the latter!
The only way to get the 'rogues' out of the sector (such as HSCPM's predecessors Stonedale) is to have a compulsory independent licensing scheme with a high minimum standard, along with severe penalties for breaches of those required standards, and HSCPM is going that way too.
I'm not aware of any other sector in the UK where such significant funds held by a third party are totally unregulated and can in practice be a person or organisation without any qualification who sets up a property management business, irrespective of experience or even of a criminal background but nevertheless is able to take and hold these funds on behalf of flat owners.
This situation has resulted in flat owners being defrauded (our experience with Stonedale) or otherwise losing funds (our collective experience with Stonedale - although HSCPM are now trying to recoup these fees retrospectively.
Bizarrely, there is a whole statutory scheme of protection for rental deposits but none for leasehold home owners service charges who are obliged to advance much greater sums to look after the buildings in which they live, it is true legislation requiring deposits to be held in "trust" is in place but this is very difficult to enforce in an unregulated sector in practice.
It is absolutely essential that some system is devised so that such funds are protected by the Financial Insurance Services Compensation Scheme or similar.
Even if the funds are held in deposit accounts, because of the current limits, protected only up to £50,000 this may well be adequate for small blocks of flats, in the event of failure of the banking institution in question however larger blocks of flats would have minimal protection in such a situation.
And finally, does HSCPM carry out an annual audit by an 'independent' regulatory body? (not the trade association). Could we impose sanctions if they fail to comply?
It's about time this industry was fully investigated.
So HSCPM, maybe now you will think twice before treating your customers with the absolute contempt your company has shown of late.
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Opening Hours
Address
Hurford Salvi Carr
9 Branch Road
Docklands,London
Greater London
E14 9HS
020 7791 7000
Performance statistics
| Services | Valuation Accuracy | Fees Satisfaction | Min Price of property reviewed | Max Price of property reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 100% | 98% | £200,000 | £1,100,000 |
| Lettings | 89% | 97% | £450 | £3,500 |
Review statistics
| From Landlords | From Tenants | From Vendors | From Buyers | Other | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 0 | 37 | 9 | 28 | 2 | 31 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Areas covered
- E14
- Canary Wharf
- E1
- Poplar
- E3
- Limehouse
- E16
Services offered
- Sales
- Lettings
- Block Management
- Surveys
- Conveyancing
- Mortgage Advice
- Home Builder
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Dec 03,2024
Dec 03,2024
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A totally professional service by a fully focussed committed team who deliver a first class service for their clients...
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Nov 11,2024
Nov 11,2024
0
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Just wanted to express my thanks on successfully re-letting my apartment at Canary Wharf, as always providing both a professional and consistent service by Marc and Cem at HSC Docklands - Much appreciated, M...
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Jun 24,2024
Jun 24,2024
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Sebastian Snookermany - great service form beginning to end. Like a top class premier league midfield footballer, Sebastian was the point-man throughout the conveyance, finding buyers within the first week of advertising, and greatly assisting with his vast knowledge of the vagaries of Leasehold properties ...
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May 02,2024
May 02,2024
0
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Sebastian and the other staff members I dealt with were great throughout the process. Sebastian ensured a smooth and efficient sale. I would highly recommend Sebastian and Hurford-Salvi-Carr....
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Mar 28,2024
Mar 28,2024
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I recently sold my Limehouse apartment through Hurford Salvi Carr. I met a number of local agents before deciding to work with Sebastian. I chose him because he was so well informed on property around the Limehouse Basin, and was measured, calm and pragmatic in ...
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Jan 29,2024
Jan 29,2024
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We found the flat that we can enjoy our times especially thanks very much Cem Fat, he did amazing job for us...
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Jan 06,2024
Jan 06,2024
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Efficient and speedy service from Hurford-Salvi Carr in letting out my property without delay. Many thanks...
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Nov 09,2023
Nov 09,2023
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Friendly and responsive team who finalised the letting of my flat in lightning speed....
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Nov 02,2023
Nov 02,2023
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Sebastian has been brilliant!
Straightforward and helpful to deal with, he found a buyer in a difficult market and carefully managed that relationship to get to an agreed sale s.t.c in May.
There were 3 parties in the chain and it has been the ...
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Sep 09,2023
Sep 09,2023
0
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H-S-C handled with appropriate urgency all the work involved when our tenant decided to leave and had to be replaced by new tenants. They gave us helpful advice on the current market rent and were able to find half a dozen or so names to ...
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Sep 01,2023
Sep 01,2023
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Sebastian and Javier could not have been more helpful. They helped make the process much easier when some unforeseen complications arose. They were simply the best! I highly recommend them and the Hurford Salvi Carr...
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Jul 28,2023
Jul 28,2023
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Thank you to Sebastian and the team from Hurford Salvi Carr for their fantastic work. Thank you for going the extra mile which lead to the selling of my property. My friend recommended this estate agent as he used them to successfully sell his property, ...
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Jul 26,2023
Jul 26,2023
0
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Very detailed, time efficient and empathetic service that successfully supported our needs!...
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Jun 27,2023
Jun 27,2023
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Hurford Salvi Carr were professional, courteous, friendly and efficient; great listings and found me the best unit and deal in Canary Wharf, processed all papers in what was a complex international move and completed the lease agreement and move in with arrangements without flaw. Especial ...
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May 23,2023
May 23,2023
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Great service from Hurford Salvi Carr on my sale. Sebastian Sookermany had done a great job on keeping me up to date with the market throughout my ownership, and very helpful with the sale and process. They also rented the flat for over a decade ...
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Jan 07,2023
Jan 07,2023
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We have known Sebastian for a while, originally through a property purchase via HSC back in 2006 and we were very impressed with his knowledge and how he kept things on track. Over the years we have kept in touch and when the time came for ...
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Jan 07,2023
Jan 07,2023
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We have known Sebastian for a while, originally through a property purchase via HSC back in 2006 and we were very impressed with his knowledge and how he kept things on track. Over the years we have kept in touch and when the time came for ...
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Dec 29,2022
Dec 29,2022
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Sebastian went above and beyond to help us with our sale which took over 2 years and over the COVID period. When others in the chain were not communicating effectively he took it upon himself to provide timely and tangible updates. I would highly recommend us ...
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Dec 29,2022
Dec 29,2022
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Sebastian was very helpful and professional throughout the process as we bought our flat. He kept in good contact and helped us get answers from the sellers when we needed them....
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Nov 14,2022
Nov 14,2022
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Mr Cem Fat was very helpful while we were searching for our new flat. Their directions and very kind helps led us to choose this property over the many others....
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Oct 20,2022
Oct 20,2022
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I have been using Hurford Salvi carr's for years.Marc & his team are professional & efficient.The process from start to finish has been extremely smooth.
Thank you Marc,John,Cem & Jurgita for the great service....
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Jul 27,2022
Jul 27,2022
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Have been with HSC since 2008...Great service and my property is well looked after and managed by a well lead team....
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Jul 01,2022
Jul 01,2022
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It was a delight to work with there docklands branch, the manager was very helpful and through with all the information, considering we were new landlords. They helped us put our 2 bedroom property on rent and got the tenants almost immediately. They guided us with ...
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May 05,2022
May 05,2022
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very professional, service. A friendly team who understand the needs of Landlords and can help them navigate through the burdensome paper work required for a professional let....
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Apr 20,2022
Apr 20,2022
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Myself and family members have instructed Hurford Salvi Carr on numerous occasions to market our properties in the Limehouse basin area and they have always been professional, diligent and delivered suitable tenants in a good turnaround. The team are professional quick to respond to requests ...
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Jan 17,2022
Jan 17,2022
0
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Cem was very professional and helpful with all aspects of the process, he was always quick to respond and solve any issues or questions immediately. Made the process of moving into a new apartment very smooth....
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Oct 27,2021
Oct 27,2021
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Excellent from start to finish. Sebastian was professional right from the beginning. He handled the sale of my flat and I'd have no hesitation in recommending him....
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Oct 27,2021
Oct 27,2021
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Sebastian was incredibly helpful and proactive throughout the process of purchasing my property from start to finish, constantly making himself available to move things along quickly. Of the various estate agents we interacted with when looking for a property he stood head and shoulders above ...
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Oct 01,2021
Oct 01,2021
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Highly recommend Hurford Salvi Carr for lettings and fully managed service - professional team with great expertise and knowledge of the market. As always, the journey is stress free having let and managed the property over many years with them always finding the highest quality ...
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Jul 08,2021
Jul 08,2021
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I have recently bought a flat using Hurford Salvi Carr. From my first viewing of the flat to completion, Sebastian was always there for me offering to help with the transaction. No email, no phone call was never too trivial. I could not recommend Hurford ...
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Last updated at 11:35 AM 05/11/2020 by Sebastian Sookermany
Best Estate Agent in E14 
