A Decade of Neglect: Living with a Health Hazard at 7 The Kilns, Managed by Trinity Estates
As a flat owner at 7 The Kilns, RH1 2FY, managed by Trinity Estates, I am compelled to share a deeply disturbing and frankly unacceptable situation that has been ongoing for over a decade. This isn’t just about minor wear and tear; it’s about a fundamental failure of property management that has directly impacted the health and safety of residents, including my pregnant wife.
For more than ten years, the communal carpet in our building has not been replaced. It hasn’t even been properly maintained, nor have the communal areas been painted. The result? The carpet is now in an absolutely deplorable, disgusting state, emitting a constant, pervasive foul odour that makes the entire building, especially the elevator, a truly unpleasant and unhealthy environment. Imagine stepping into an elevator that smells so horrendous it causes nausea, particularly for a pregnant woman.
This is our daily reality:
This isn’t just an aesthetic issue; it’s a critical health and safety hazard.
The prolonged exposure to such unsanitary conditions is a serious concern for all residents, including families with young children and, as in my case, expectant parents.
The Unbelievable Excuses: «No Funds» vs. £2+ Million in Profit
Despite our persistent attempts to address this via their internal communication platform, our pleas have been met with an astonishing lack of urgency and, frankly, baffling excuses.
The core message from Trinity Estates? «We don’t have money» for a full replacement.
This claim is utterly bewildering and, quite frankly, insulting. Publicly available information (from Gov.uk) clearly shows that Trinity Estates holds over £2 million in cash reserves.
This isn’t a small, struggling company; they have the financial capacity to undertake necessary maintenance and urgent repairs. To deny essential works on the grounds of «no funds» while holding such reserves is simply unacceptable.
They have attempted to deflect by stating that fire safety (FRAEW) is taking priority and that «internal redecorations are on hold.»
Let me be clear: a carpet that is actively causing illness and smells abominably is NOT a redecoration. It is a health and safety imperative.
To equate this with mere painting or non-urgent cosmetic updates demonstrates a profound misunderstanding, or a deliberate mischaracterisation, of the severity of the situation.
Furthermore, they argue that any significant work requires a Section 20 consultation under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, a process they describe as lengthy and legally binding.
However, our recent quotes for the complete carpet replacement total £3,150. With 15 units in the building, this equates to £210 per leaseholder. Critically, the Section 20 threshold for major works is £250 per leaseholder.
This means the full, protracted Section 20 consultation does not legally apply to this necessary work!
Their insistence on this process is either a fundamental misinterpretation of the law or a deliberate tactic to delay action.
Unacceptable Transparency: 7 Years Without Accounts
Adding insult to injury, Trinity Estates has informed us that the service charge accounts for 7 The Kilns have not been finalised since 2019.
This means for nearly seven years, residents have been paying service charges without full transparency on how their funds are being allocated. They claim figures cannot be released until «finalised and approved» by the Watercolour Management Company Ltd, who give Trinity their instructions.
This lack of financial accountability for such an extended period is astonishing and raises serious questions about their management practices.
We, as paying leaseholders, have a right to immediate, current financial information, not just audited reports from half a decade ago.
Our Call to Action & What Happens Next
The residents of 7 The Kilns, are united in demanding immediate action. The current conditions are unsustainable and unhealthy. We urge Trinity Estates and the Watercolour Management Company Ltd to:
- Immediately approve and schedule the full replacement of the communal carpet at 7 The Kilns, acknowledging that it falls below the Section 20 threshold and is an urgent health and safety matter.
- Provide immediate access to current service charge expenditure for 7 The Kilns, rather than waiting for years-overdue finalised accounts.
- Engage directly and constructively to resolve this crisis, rather than resorting to delays and misinterpretations of regulations.
Be warned: If Trinity Estates continues to ignore this critical health and safety issue, we will be forced to pursue all available avenues. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Legal action via the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to compel works and seek redress for breaches of lease covenants.
- Formal complaints to the local Environmental Health department, who can investigate and issue Abatement Notices if a statutory nuisance is found – failure to comply carries criminal penalties and significant fines.
- Escalation to the Property Ombudsman.
- Extensive public dissemination of our experience across all relevant online platforms and media outlets to ensure wider awareness of Trinity Estates’ operational standards.
To anyone searching for Trinity Estates opinions or considering them for property management in the UK: proceed with extreme caution.
Our experience at 7 The Kilns highlights a severe disregard for resident welfare, basic property maintenance, and financial transparency.
theheadofseo@gmail.com
Together, we can ensure that property management companies are held to the standards their clients deserve. We believe in fair, transparent, and responsible management that prioritises the health, safety, and well-being of residents.
Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Alvaro Lozano Fuentes Leader, Trinity Estates Uncovered