FirstPort, which manages Crown Heights and Regent Court in Basingstoke, was summoned on Thursday, January 9, to address widespread complaints about its alleged substandard performance.
Constituents and MPs have accused the company of excessive service charge hikes, failure to complete critical building maintenance, and poor responsiveness to resident concerns.
Luke Murphy MP (fifth from left) attending the meeting (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: Families at Regent Court in Basingstoke facing huge bills
The meeting, chaired by David Pinto-Duschinsky MP and attended by Basingstoke MP Luke Murphy, followed a letter to FirstPort from the group demanding an explanation for ongoing issues. MPs presented testimonials from constituents nationwide, describing service charge increases of over 50% in some cases and detailing frustrations with unaddressed maintenance and a lack of transparency in service charges.
The group also raised complaints about FirstPort’s management of retirement complexes, including Kendal Gardens in Basingstoke and Mulberry Mead in Whitchurch.
FirstPort, which manages more than 300,000 properties across the UK, is contracted by freeholders to carry out maintenance on buildings inhabited by leaseholders, who own individual flats. However, MPs argue that the company is treating leaseholders as “cash cows,” prioritizing profit over service quality.
David Pinto-Duschinsky MP, who co-chaired the meeting with FirstPort, said: “I’ve had dozens and dozens of complaints about FirstPort’s unacceptable service charge hikes, poor service and lack of responsiveness and transparency. All too often they are using leaseholders as little more than cash cows to be milked for every penny. People are paying more and more, and getting less and less.
“Enough is enough. This group of Labour MPs has come together to do everything we can to hold these unscrupulous managing agents to account. We strongly support everything the government intends to do to reform the leasehold system, and are determined to do all we can alongside that to hold failing managing agents to account. Today’s meeting is just the start of that.”
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The MPs presented a list of demands to FirstPort, including the establishment of a hotline for MPs to escalate constituent complaints directly to the company’s headquarters, increased transparency on service charges, and a commitment to meet with affected residents.
Speaking after the meeting, Basingstoke MP Luke Murphy said: “The first meeting was a significant first step in holding FirstPort to account for their service for leaseholders in Basingstoke and across the country. Too many of my constituents have faced excessive charges and poor service with little explanation or recourse.
“It is unacceptable that hardworking local people, living in places like Chapel Gate, Regent Court, Skyline Plaza, and Kendal Gardens are left footing the bill for subpar services. FirstPort must act immediately to provide transparency, improve service quality, and engage meaningfully with residents. My colleagues and I will continue to hold managing agents to account, fight for fairness in the leasehold system and support the government in reforming leasehold.”
FirstPort managing director Martin King attended the meeting.
A spokesperson from The FirstPort Group said: “The meeting with MPs allowed for meaningful discussions about the changes and challenges affecting our industry. It also provided an opportunity to highlight the improvements we are making to better serve our customers. We listened to the concerns raised by MPs and we are committed to responding to the requests raised in the meeting, as well as working with the MPs on a longer term basis to demonstrate how the changes we are making at FirstPort will improve services. We would like to thank all the MPs who attended for their time and valuable contributions.”