Yet another management fee hike but no return on investment« Back to Questions List

Like everyone else, we've just received the Newsletter informing us of yet another price hike for the Management Fee and I wondered what return on investment we're actually getting, in fact I know the answer to that, an in our case, it's none. We own a week in Ashness - the huge one bedroom on the front wall (you know the one, it has the smashing view of the new wall) - on our visit this year we discovered lights under the kitchen units that didn't work and couldn't be replaced due to them no longer being manufactured and a rather stylish (Northern irony here) block of wood glued to the door that houses the boiler, due to an over zealous tenant slamming the door back and the cap of the bannister piercing a hole in the door ( how that happened, beggars belief). Ashness owners are a victim of their own "success" - the lodge has been well cared for by owners (probably down to the fact it's not that family friendly) and the consequence of this is we're no doubt lower down the list when it comes to any form of refurbishment. Surely there should be some process in place where those lodges who have been refurbished, or are on the list for imminent refurbishment be the ones who pay increased fees, leaving those further down the list with no increase (or for that matter, a reduction). I'd be interested to hear other owners views
Asked on September 26, 2018 3:37 pm

Sorry for the delayed response Richard. The 2K was quoted at the 2017 AGM at Rheged by, I think, Chris Jackson, who commented how well made they were and suggesting it was a good price!

Posted by tifkat
Answered On March 14, 2019 3:17 pm

Peter , I do hope you are not correct with regards to the new dining tables costing 2k. You can purchase equivalent dining tables for under 1k . If you are correct Fisherbeck and the board are not looking after the owners interests . If you could confirm you are correct I would like to take this further.
Richard Waugh. Honister

Posted by richard waugh
Answered On January 29, 2019 9:34 pm

The whole management structure should be reviewed. In the early days (we bought in 1999), the on site management team were employed by the Owners Club as it was then, and they ran the place on behalf of the owners. Once Fisherbeck took over, the on site team have different loyalties, primarily to their managers in Fisherbeck.

I really think we should have a UOCL employed manager on site, reporting to the Board, and a reduced fee to Fisherbeck as a result. That manager should then be in charge of spending decisions (like avoiding the ludicrous cost of the defribillator – we’re paying way over the odds and as for tables costing £2k….) and refurb plans. That should avoid creating a ’two tier’ fee structure

Peter

Posted by tifkat
Answered On October 4, 2018 8:28 pm