Wards have been providing professional block and estate management services since 1989 and are now responsible for the management of approximately 95 residential developments across the Midlands.
Our portfolio extends throughout Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Staffordshire, encompassing a diverse range of developments, from small apartment blocks and converted buildings through to large mixed-use developments and substantial housing estates.
We work in partnership with Residents' Management Companies (RMCs), Right to Manage Companies (RTMs), freeholders, developers and leaseholders, delivering a proactive and transparent management service tailored to the individual requirements of each development.
Over the years, we have been appointed by an increasing number of regional and national housebuilders, including Persimmon Homes and David Wilson Homes, to provide bespoke management services for public open spaces, private roads, drainage infrastructure (including SUDS) and communal areas (including LEAP and NEAP) on new-build developments.
Our experienced team combines detailed property knowledge with significant practical expertise, supported by continued investment in staff training and industry-leading property management software. This enables us to provide efficient communication, effective financial management and responsive day-to-day support for directors, residents and developers alike.
We understand that every development is different and pride ourselves on delivering a personal service whilst maintaining the highest professional standards across a growing portfolio of managed properties.
As Chartered Surveyors regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), we are subject to stringent professional and ethical standards. The collection and administration of service charges and other client monies is closely regulated, monitored and independently audited, providing reassurance to leaseholders, directors and developers that funds are handled safely and transparently.
Our Services
We will offer you a tailored service specific to your requirements, however our role would include the following basic items:
Calculation of service charge budgets
Collection of ground rents and service charges
Placing and collection of sinking funds
Management and administration of caretaking and site maintenance contracts
Annual accountant preparation for budget reviews
Monthly book and record up keep of all monies paid into a clients’ account
Routine maintenance visits
Organisation of communal repairs, cleaning, gardening, decoration and payment of water and electricity bills
Hosting of Annual General Meetings and general liaising with residents throughout the year.
Assistance of solicitors during the sale of properties.
Our Philosophy
At Wards, we believe that residents and leaseholders should be actively involved in the management of their homes and developments. Effective property management is about far more than collecting service charges and issuing invoices. It requires clear communication, transparency, local knowledge and a genuine commitment to maintaining and improving the communities we manage.
Over the years, we have taken over the management of numerous developments where communication has been limited, accounts have been delayed and residents have felt disconnected from the decision-making process. We recognise the frustrations this can cause and are committed to providing a different approach.
Our philosophy is simple: to deliver practical, responsive and accountable management, supported by a team that understands each development and the people who live there. We believe residents, directors and leaseholders should be able to speak directly to a property professional who has a genuine understanding of their development rather than dealing with an anonymous call centre or remote management team.
We encourage active engagement with residents and directors through regular communication, site inspections, meetings and transparent financial reporting. Where appropriate, service charge budgets are discussed with directors and management companies to ensure expenditure is both necessary and represents value for money.
As a local, independent firm of Chartered Surveyors, we pride ourselves on building long-term relationships with the developments we manage. Our aim is to provide a service that is professional, approachable and transparent, giving residents confidence that their development is being managed effectively and their service charge funds are being spent responsibly.
In short, we believe property management should be visible, accountable and focused on delivering real value to residents, leaseholders and management companies alike.
Residents and owners can expect
Face to face management
At least two members of staff will have physical knowledge of all of our developments. This is a great benefit when faults or problems are reported.
Meetings
It is a statutory requirement of an incorporated company to hold Annual General Meetings!
Unless specified in an agreement with residents we always hold meetings at a time and place convenient to the development. The meetings are used to openly discuss the accounts and to set a service charge for the ensuing year. We always encourage owners to appreciate how the charge is calculated.
Transparent Accounting
We are a Chartered Surveyors and as such have to adhere to strict clients’ money accounting procedures. We open a new clients bank account for every development. Owners are welcome and encouraged to inspect the financial records and bank statements of the management company.
Partnership
We aim to work with owners rather than simply dictating services. Wherever practical, we discuss major projects at an owners meeting, taking into account all owners views.