“Over several years of dealing with KFH as managing agents for Filton Court, I have experienced a shocking level of mismanagement, inefficiency, and disregard for their duties. Despite repeated complaints, KFH has failed to address critical issues, including ongoing roof leaks, misallocation of service charge funds, and persistent failures in communication and resolution.
Key Issues:
Ignored CAPEX Recommendations
In 2020, a CAPEX report outlined urgent roof repairs. Instead of taking swift action, KFH delayed implementation for over four years. Their justification—arrears due to unpaid service charges—is unacceptable, as no meaningful efforts were made to recover these charges or inform leaseholders about the impact on essential works
Failure to Act on Complaints
Multiple reports of leaks were ignored over several years. KFH consistently opted for ineffective temporary repairs, wasting funds and exacerbating the damage. Professional advice recommending a full roof refurbishment was disregarded
Questionable Financial Practices
Service charge contributions for the reserve fund inexplicably fluctuated, quadrupling in one year without clear justification. Repeated inquiries into the allocation of funds and unexplained expenses, including missing costs for surveys, went unanswered
Poor Communication and Broken Promises
Deadlines for responses were routinely missed, and vague assurances were provided instead of concrete action. In some instances, responses contradicted prior commitments, eroding trust entirely
Negligent Handover to New Agents
When management transitioned to JFM, KFH failed to provide adequate documentation or briefings, leaving unresolved issues and further confusion for residents and leaseholders
Consequences:
KFH’s systemic failures have caused significant stress for leaseholders, jeopardized the property’s integrity, and wasted financial resources. Their mismanagement highlights a clear breach of fiduciary duty and a lack of accountability.
Date of experience: 22 November 2024”
“Dated: 02-NOV-2024
The Property Redress Scheme
Dear Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward Management,
I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding the actions of Rohan, the Lettings Manager at your Putney branch.
I am a joint owner of 77 Putney High Street and 3 Token Yard, London SW15 1SR, along with Faizan Tariq and two other individuals. It has come to my attention that Rohan has, without proper authorization, let these properties and has been disbursing rental income to the other joint owners, who do not possess the legal authority to receive or manage these funds on our behalf.
As a reputable estate agency, Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward is obligated to adhere to strict legal and ethical standards, including conducting thorough ownership checks and complying with anti-money laundering regulations. However, Rohan's failure to perform these essential due diligence procedures has resulted in a serious breach of trust and potential legal ramifications.
I am particularly concerned about the following:
1. Unauthorized Letting: Rohan proceeded to let the properties without obtaining explicit consent from all joint owners.
2. Negligence in Ownership Verification: He failed to verify the ownership status of the properties and the authority of the other joint owners to receive rental income.
3. Breach of Anti-Money Laundering Regulations: Rohan did not conduct the necessary checks to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
I demand that Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward take immediate action to rectify this situation and ensure that all future transactions involving these properties are conducted with utmost care and transparency.
I reserve the right to escalate this matter to the following regulatory bodies:
1. The Property Ombudsman
2. The Approved Code Scheme
3. SafeAgent Accreditation Scheme
4. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
I trust that you will address this issue promptly and professionally. I look forward to a swift resolution to this matter.
Sincerely,
SHARIQ TARIQ
Owner
77 Putney High Street and 3 Token Yard, London SW15 1SR
Tel: 00923004001662”
“We bought a property through KFH Dulwich Village and from the start right through to the final day of completion they were very proactive and supportive. As often occurs there were some problems, but although they were not caused by KFH they were full of good advice, supportive and helpful. They went all out to get it all completed and all problems overcome. I recommend them unreservedly and will definitely use them if/when I come to sell next time.”
“Our rental agent Lily, was great, and although we didn't find anything with her - she was 110% reliable, efficient and always on time and very helpful & knowledgeable.”
“One of the worst block managers, I have dealt with. I will not go into fees and lack of care in their responsibilities as that will take up more of my time. This is a company that simply ignores your emails and communications. I have been chasing on leak matters for over since April and it takes on average 3 to 4 chases just to get a response.
Also, I have been asking for Statement of Accounts and they simply ignore emails. They are extremely frustrating to deal with because they just do not respond!”
“I was super impressed with Demi Letts professionalism and friendliness on my recent visit to a rental property. She goes above and beyond for her clients would highly recommend her and KFH!
Sharon”
“The worst company ever. They are theifs and they don't want to pay for anything.
They would do anything in favor of the landlord and get away with anything. They are the worst company ever with no ehtical or moral compass.”
“They have to be the most useless letting agent I have ever dealt with. They are impossible to contact. Whenever there is an issue, they are very unresponsive. It means you have to constantly call for an update when it is urgent. You call up, they say they will look into it and call you back. Suffice to say, that doesn't happen. I would say this is the first review for a company I have left in my life, not usually bothered, but in this case I had to.”
“An absolutely horrendous and scarring experience. I was clear and transparent about my particular situation throughout the entire process - with estate agent Christopher Waweru, yet was informed just one week before my move in date (after multiple calls were ignored/ dodged) that not only was I not moving in, but that they would keep my holding deposit. I was told my offer was 'dead in the water' and was offered no help at all. Shelley Matczak was particularly rude, I've never been spoken to like that from a professional in my life. Luckily I was able to file a complaint to a third party company and have gotten my money back.”
“they were great at communication and keeping me informed with updates... and the whole team were super friendly and very human... they also helped things move along at a good pace which was crucial for me so that was really appreciated and found me also a great solicitor firm that were also able to keep things moving as quickly as possible and they turned out to be fantatsic.. so all in all a great run with them and there being local also really was a big advantage... i wont be selling again soon but i do I'll be with them !”
“I purchased a property through Oliver at the Highgate branch. He was the perfect quarterback: on it the whole time, helping to get paperwork over the line and focusing hard on the targeted deadline. He was also an absolute pleasure to work with. He changed my views on estate agents actually. An unhesitating recommendation for the firm and agent.”
“Worst management company ever.
I used to be our development's management company. Thanks to their unprofessional, we could convience the director change the management team.
My flat had an installation/building issue but I tried to contact them for 2 months but no answer.
we used to have theifs but no action from them”
“Unorganised, slow, inefficient. The worst management company.
We are residents of Baronet House, NW10 7GP. Their communication and management skills are very poor. They take ages to resolve simple issues, don't provide updates in a timely manner, don't answer emails and calls, and their attitude is underwhelming. The lack of updates and how long KFH takes to answer our queries (when KFH care to reply) massively frustrates us all.
They cannot be trusted to do a decent job. Avoid at all costs.”
“I am a regular client of KFH. Always happy with the staff and service provided. I would like to highlight a courteous, friendly and efficient service of Lily Elvery. Thank you.”
“As a former employee I can say management only care about is how cool they look in their cheap suits. One boss told a colleague to think inside the box. They discourage stuff to pick up the phone and customer service is low on their key targets. Property manager work so hard with little or no little from management team. Who blame everything on them and don't know what taking ownership is about. But happy to take your money and do little to nothing as long they get your money.”
“kfh rip off extortionate high service charges for the christchurch house block in brixton, over 500 a month i am now being charged for service charge alone, then i have my mortgage on top , looking to sell and move out as they are ripping people off big time . avoid these at all costs, no pun intended. they are fleecing and rinsing me of all i earn .”
“I'd give this company negative stars if I could.
From inconsistent responses to maintenance requests (if any) to messing up residents account they've ticked all the possible boxes when is about lack of professionalism and gross incompetence.
For the past 5 years and a half, since I live in a development managed by KFH, KFH employees:
* always failed to send the budget on time,
* messed up the finances of the development (residents who paid for their services and have direct debit set up get referred to solicitor for having unpaid debt),
* sent us all kind of dodgy contractors who did more damaged that repair the existing issues (talking here about plumbing, door entry system, lifts),
* ignored or simply delayed to take measures to rectify the security related issues and residents ended up with their property being damaged or stolen,
* failed to obtain important documents from the developer when the so called handover took place,
* failed to arrange maintenance contracts,
* failed for years to collect the unpaid debt which led to not paying the contractors, which affected our RTM company credit score,
* failed to put in place a handover process when they changed managing agents (this acted like a factory reset...every time a new person joined, we had to start from scratch with reporting existing issues or restart the improvement work),
* lied through their arses the residents numerous times blaming the sun, the moon, the contractors, other residents etc most of the time someone made a complaint, in the happy scenario they bothered to respond to a complaint.
The list can go on and on.
For anyone who reads my comment, avoid having to do business with them especially if names as Richard Benson, Carl Warland, Lauren Brooks, Denisha Wallace, James Hewitt-Lee come up. Their incompetence doesn’t come at a cheap price at all.”
“Staff useless ,they don’t know nothing about the business
To repair the problems in the flat takes ages
The act like mafia style threatening
They are people that fail in life and they end selling and retenting house la with no clue of what they are doing
Never rent or buy with them
Useless is been short of what they are in reality”
