I own a leasehold flat in Manchester. Guinness are the freeholders/managing agents. Appreciate that I am in a different position from most posting on this site however, I completely agree with all the comments regarding the competency and trustworthiness of this particularly Company. I have owned my flat since the 1990s and have a lease extension which was expensive and lengthy due to having to deal with Guinness. I have very many complaints ...the latest a letter from Guinness last week and without any prior notice that my monthly service charge will increase from £107.25 to £135.65. I tried ringing for an explanation last week and earlier this week but frankly was 'stonewalled' by Guinness, quote: ' if you are ringing about your rent/ service charges increase please press option 8'....I spent (wasted!) lots of time waiting for someone to pick up the phone. A girl called Victoria eventually called yesterday but was clearly some young innocent tasked (with script in hand) to listen to and even 'empathise' with aggrieved Tenants. (A masterstroke by Guinness.) Michael Gove needs to bring the current bill regarding Leaseholders/Tenants' rights into law asap. All very well for property lawyers and those with vested interests( fund managers etc) saying it would be a breach of the legal status of companies such as Guinness but the abuse/corruption has to stop. Again, not necessarily relevant to all here but the UK practically stands alone in perpetuating the leasehold system which continues to cause distress and unnecessary expense to so many. I wish everyone success in their battles with the Guinness Partnershiip. For me, I am hoping that Guinness have been their usual incompetent selves and have made yet again another mistake; with other peoples' finances.