Avoid Jennings
Without a doubt, the most unethical management company around.
My elderly parents owned a property managed by Jennings, and for 24 years, they paid their service charge on a standing order. My father became very ill and suffered from dementia. He passed away 3 1/2 years ago, and I had to then manage all paperwork etc and take care of my disabled mother.
One day we received a demand from a law firm, which the Ombudsman is currently investigating, for non payment of the service charge, of which we were billed £300 in costs. I called Jennings to find out why a law firm was involved when they could have simply phoned me as I had had previous phone dialogue with them. They said they would not speak to me, and I had to talk to their lawyers. I went back to the lawyer and asked what happened to the standing order. They stated Jennings had switched accounts and the standing order was not valid. This response added another £500 to the bill. We now owed £800 to the lawyers. I called Jennings and they again told me to speak to their lawyers. I simply wanted to pay and end this hell, but Jennings had other ideas. I asked the law firm to contact Jennings and remove the late payment charge. They said no and upped the bill by another £280. I ended up paying £1280 for something that could have easily been resolved with a single phone call. I immediately put the flat on the market at a reduced price and moved my mother into another property. After 24 years, Jennings traumatised this woman for something that could have easily been resolved.
The flat my mother is in now is occupied predominantly by elderly people, and the management company are wonderful.
If you have elderly parents, then avoid this company. They genuinely do not care about people...only money.