Factor giants promise: This takeover will be seamless
A factoring giant insists the money of residents is safe after they completed the sudden takeover of a controversial firm.
Newton Property Management rubber stamped the deal for Ayrshire- based Donald Ross Factoring last week.
It came after Steven Miller, factoring director, withdrew his company from common property management.
It followed several complaints around poor service in recent months.
In July, we told how the factors had been removed from the Inkerman Court complex in Ayr, which came after the firm were also dropped from the Dalblair Court retirement complex in the town.
Now residents of Merkland Park in Dundonald, who were also served by the outgoing firm, have added their voices to the chorus of complaints.
Jim Manson told the Post: “You only pay for what you get, but we are paying good money and we weren’t getting the service for that money.
“Steven Miller had a stroke, which was a terribly sad thing to happen – but the people who he put in charge did everything wrong and it wasn’t right.
“You would have expected to receive a service from those who took over.”
Newton’s joint managing director, Derek MacDonald, said his firm were swooping in following an “unfortunate situation” as Mr Miller decided to withdraw his company following the lifechanging stroke four years ago.
Mr MacDonald said: “This is a very unfortunate situation and we wish Steven well for the future. Things have not been easy but we are delighted to be able to help his customers.”
Newton say they have assigned a team of experienced managers to take over the professional management of the properties – accounting for about 1,500 customers.
They say this will include cleaning and gardening – with use of local contractors continuing – common electricity bills and renewal of communal buildings insurance policies where needed.
Former police officer Jim, 78, questioned where this leaves customers, adding: “The residents at the 112 properties here are wondering where our £ 200 per household is lying. We should have been given a bit of notice.”
But Mr MacDonald assured the residents that their money is safe and said although the acquisition will come as a surprise, it would be very much “business as usual”, with Newton making sure the transition is “as seamless as possible”.
He added: “The acquisition was concluded in accordance with common practice, with a view to providing a seamless, continuous service for former customers of Donald Ross Residential Factoring. We would like to reassure all owners who have paid management floats that they are secure. We pride ourselves on providing an excellent, transparent factoring service for all our customers. If any owner has any queries, then we are
more than happy to visit them to discuss their management arrangements.”
Mr Miller’s ex- wife, Jacqueline, had been a director of Donald Ross Factoring since 2017 but resigned on March 24.
Mrs Miller continues to run Donald Ross Residential and she stressed the factoring issues and complaints came after her resignation. She added: “I’m in control of the estate and letting agents and that company has been going from
strength to strength having just won yet another award for our service last week for Best Letting Agents in Ayr 2020.
“In the last two years we have won Scotland’s Best Agent 2018, Gold award for Letting agent in Kilmarnock 2019 and Gold Award for Ayr 2019, Ayrshire’s Best Service Provider in 2019’ s Ayrshire Business Awards and we rank in the top three per cent of all agents in the UK for Rightmove.”