Crabtree PM Limited

One of the building they're asking loads of money for "managing" has a massive flood, 3-5 apartaments flodded due to a burst pipe in the attic, electricity stopped working, no heating, no shower, no lights, and Crabtree does nothing for a week now.

TOTALLY USELESS
This company has been our managing agent for 15 years. Their duties were to manage and maintain a small estate in Kettering comprising of 16 flats and 8 houses. During our time with them we witnessed our service charge soar to unprecedented levels when compared to other estates, maintenance work took an eternity to arrange, repairs were billed at ridiculously inflated prices and when challenged they would not respond or deliberately avoid responding hoping the issue would be forgotten.

This company will squander your money, pressure you to accept services which are not needed, commission reports and insurance at inflated prices and without your knowledge bump up your costs with hidden charges always using the excuse of ‘in line with standard practice’, ‘under current rules’ etc.

They rarely follow your instructions and will always treat the client, ie you, with contempt unless you stand up to them and impress on them who is the boss in this situation.

Our estate under their management was in a state of disrepair and dereliction. Their so called maintenance was laughable. On one occasion it took 3 months to have a light bulb changed and we received a charge of £132.

Their staff are totally clueless, unmotivated and not very client orientated. If you have no property management experience stay well clear from these people. They will milk you dry whilst justifying every one of their actions with a mountain of information, statistics, trial balances etc.

In our case, it was not until a second director stepped into our estate committee that we systematically and intentionally started to take them apart. Our goal was to get rid of them and after accumulating all the necessary information we finally terminated them. Termination was not easy because of the very nature of their standard agreements which auto-renew every year for a further 12 months unless you submit notice of termination 3 months before the expiry date, something which is so easy to overlook. They also deliberately delay providing you with the new agreement to allow auto renewal to take place and prevent you from negotiating better terms.

This is a particularly malevolent company and we would strongly advise you to stay well clear of them. Look through the reviews and you will see that hardly anyone is satisfied with their service. Also watch out as they do not appear to be financially sound and safe to keep your estate funds. If you are a client of Crabtree and you have accumulated funds being held by them we suggest you ask for a bond or bank guarantee to secure your money.

Dr RHS More...

Gosh - I'm almost wondering whether we're talking about the same company. We bought a new build from one of the worst developers ever and Crabtree are our management company. Personally I have had no problems at all with them dealing with our issues in a timely manner and resolving all issues. Shabby Developments were supposed to leave the site with a road sign in place (also stating private road) but they didn't. I realise I pushed constantly, but eventually Caroline got them to install the sign - but they hadn't put PRIVATE ROAD on it. It took another couple of months to get that added but it's been done. I'm not dealing with Neelam who seems to be just as helpful. Perhaps the teams are different for flats/houses or rental/buyer More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Our building has been managed by Crabtree for a number of years. They were great for a few years, but then it seems that they can not retain staff and every few months we would be given a new contact person who would have to learn the problems/history of the building and as soon as they got up to speed they left. We have given notice to Crabtree and since then communication has practically stopped. When tenants have phoned Crabtree they have been told the building is no longer managed by Crabtree so can't help. The directors asked numerous times for a telephone meeting and emails and telephone calls were ignored for a long time. It seems the only thing they are able to do is send out demands for money. I'm very sad by what has happened, but judging the other reviews on this site I think Crabtree are going downhill very fast. More...

I have had 5 years experience of dealing with Crabtree Property Management and in that time I have found the company to be honest, reliable and prompt. It has been helpful to have had the same manager dealing with the block for the last 3 years. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps