Homestead Consultancy Services

Homestead Consultancy Services: block and estate management in North England and Wales

Homestead Consultancy Services Ltd is a property management company (managing agent) acting on behalf of the boards of residential management companies (RMC) and right to manage (RTM) companies, freehold landlords and, occasionally, developers. Its activity focuses on the management of communal areas of leasehold blocks, estates and open spaces, as well as independent retirement living developments. The firm presents itself as a regulated agent with over 45 years' accumulated experience in the sector.

Management services

The company structures its offering into three main areas:

• Block Management: management of leasehold properties, including apartment blocks and their communal areas.
• Estate Management: management of freehold housing estates, mixed tenure developments and open spaces, regardless of their complexity.
• Retirement Living: management of independent living and retirement developments.

In addition, it provides services to residential management companies (RMC), right to manage (RTM) companies — including assistance with their set-up —, freehold landlords and property developers.

Regulation and awards

Homestead is regulated by TPI (The Property Institute) and RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), and is a member of ARHM (Association of Retirement Housing Managers). The company states it has received the 'Regional Property Management Company of the Year' award and that all its staff have industry-specific training. In the field of retirement living, it notes it has been awarded an 'outstanding' rating by TPI.

Areas of operation

The company operates in North England and Wales. Among the locations where it works are Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, Bispham, Fleetwood, Lancaster, Morecambe, Preston, Blackburn, Burnley, Wigan, Manchester, Bolton, Rochdale, Liverpool, Southport, Windermere, Ulverston, Arnside, Milnthorpe and Leicester. The firm states it has the capacity to continue expanding its area of operation.

Structure and offices

Homestead Consultancy Services has a head office in Lytham St Annes and two branches: Homestead Cymru, in Wales, and Homestead Midlands, in the Midlands region. The company has an online portal, 'My Homestead', for residents to manage issues, payments and communications.

Operations and customer service

The company is open during office hours Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 17:00 and Friday from 9:00 to 15:00. Outside these hours, an on-call team provides assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Residents can contact by phone, email or through the portal. For maintenance issues there is a specific address, and complaints are channelled through a two-stage procedure in accordance with RICS requirements: the first stage is reviewed by the firm itself and, if the client is not satisfied, the second stage allows them to go to an independent dispute resolution provider approved by RICS.

Fee model

Homestead applies a set fee for managing each development, calculated according to the number of units and in accordance with the RICS residential management service code. Additional services that some clients may require are agreed before management begins. Fees are paid from the service charge budget and are itemised as a line in that budget, as well as in the annual accounts sent to all leaseholders.

Collaboration with contractors

The company has an ongoing requirement for reliable local contractors whom it can recommend to its clients. The services required cover cleaning, landscaping, building works, handyman services and other similar categories.

Location and contact

29 St. Annes Road West, Lytham St. Annes, FY8 1SB · Phone: 01253 640040 · Email: enquiries@homesteadcsl.co.uk