Alasdair

Feb 3, 2025

Neglectful and incompetent management over several years.

For transparency, let me preface this review by stating that the issues noted below cover a range of 18-30 months, and the “date of experience” chosen is based on the original date of review submission: 03/02/2025. Where to begin? I’ll say that it is almost comforting (in a way) to read the ~25% of other negative reviews here, some involving my development’s local office; knowing that, while it feels like we are alone, we most definitely are not and that the issues we face appear to be endemic to Newton and the negligence and incompetent management we face at my development is not the result of any one particular individual, but a whole host of individuals at all levels. Over the last 18 months specifically, I have engaged with no fewer than 5 development managers, 4 members of senior management and numerous local/national administration staff. All too often, correspondence either goes ignored, is passed on to someone else to deal with and is then forgotten about or is dealt with at a glacial pace or in a manner that suggests Newton couldn’t care less. One such issue, involving said property management company actually having the correct keys for my development is still outstanding… an essential basic requirement, you’d think? Whether it is issues with communal electricity billing, grounds maintenance quality, cleaning work, internal works, external works, waste management, billing/invoicing, the tendering process, contractor oversight or development manager input and senior management engagement, Newton fails on every single level over and over again. It is highly concerning to note that other developments and owners are, right now, facing the same issues as my development, and in response they receive argumentative and combative comments from Newton. High staff turnover seems to be par for the course and a lack of responsibility is rife - with senior management promising improvements and solutions, only for them to vanish off the face of the earth and re-appear with a new internal promotion and zero responsibility. Newton will no doubt respond to this complaint noting that they have engaged over the last 18 months (which of course they eventually have, I don’t dispute that) and are working to improve things (which, again, yes they keep saying they are), but the fact that almost 3 years have passed in some instances and we still await positive outcomes, responses and essential repairs, suggests a serious lack of input and care. I’m not one to publicly name-and-shame, but the lack of service, pure negligence and mismanagement my development has received from Newton in the 18 months I’ve had a personal stake is astounding. While things are (very slowly) taking a more positive turn under the new development manager, who I feel is doing their best with little to no support, it remains to be seen if Newton can effectively find resolutions to all of the outstanding issues, oversee their implementation in a timely manner and, crucially, rebuild trust with owners. While management fees have increased some 300% since late-2020, what we receive in return has fallen off a cliff. It can’t continue like this and Newton must do better.