Trusted by homeowners across Scotland
How to Change Property Factors
Ready for a change?
Looking to find out how to change your property factor? Our service is an investment in the well-being of your most valuable asset – your home. Discover how our bespoke service provides value for money and peace of mind to you and your neighbours.
Contact us today to discuss your property factoring needs.
Just follow these simple steps:
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We’ll have an initial chat to find out about your property and needs.
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We need a few documents from you, don’t worry we can help you find them.
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We’ll present you with a proposal for you to share with your neighbours. If you need help engaging with your neighbours you can download the Proposal Letter below.
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We’ll be happy to attend a meeting of your neighbours and we can answer any questions.
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You notify us that you’d like to progress with switching to Taylor & Martin.
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We notify your factors, or provide you with the required wording to do so.
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Once the notice period with your current factor has come to an end, we’ll host a kick-off meeting and get started!
Why Change Your Property Factor?
Persistent communication failures, delayed maintenance and unresolved issues are more than just frustrations; they directly impact your quality of life. If these issues have become the norm, it may be time to change your factor.
Here are the most common signs that it’s time to consider a change.
Poor Communication
You should never be left chasing updates or uncertain about your property’s management. A reliable factor is proactive, responsive and easy to reach. If delays or confusion are constant, it’s worth raising your concerns with other owners.
Unjustified Charges
Unexpected charges or vague billing can be a major frustration and concern. You deserve full transparency and clear breakdowns of where your money goes. A reputable property factor ensures costs are easy to understand and justified.
Poor Maintenance & Repairs
If your current factor neglects common parts of your building, this is a serious concern. From lighting to stairwells, every area should be safe, clean and regularly maintained to prevent costly replacements down the line. Repeated delays or poor-quality repairs signal a failure in responsibility and may warrant a change.
Lack of Site Presence or Support
Many residents find that their factor is invisible when problems arise. A good property manager is present, proactive, accountable and actively invested in the upkeep of your development.
If these issues sound familiar, gather your neighbours, hold a meeting, and explore your options. Alternatively, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re always happy to help.
How to Switch Property Factors: Step-by-Step
Changing factors might feel complex, but with the right information and support, the process is straightforward and worthwhile. Here’s how to do it step by step.
Step 1: Review the Existing Agreement
Before making any changes, examine your title deeds, current contract and any written agreement with your factor. This will outline your notice period, the complaints procedure, and any rules about switching. Understanding the legal aspects ensures a smooth, compliant process.
Step 2: Discuss as a Homeowner Group
Next, speak to other homeowners in your block or tenement. If applicable, set up a committee or contact your residents’ association. Understanding shared concerns confirms whether others support a change and how they feel about your current property factor.
Step 3: Seek Consensus & Hold a Vote
In most cases, the title deeds or relevant legislation, such as the Tenements (Scotland) Act, require a majority agreement. You may need to document votes or decisions in writing to ensure compliance. If you’re unsure, we can guide you through the process.
Step 4: Appoint a New Factor
Once you’ve reached an agreement, it’s time to decide who your new factor will be. Taylor & Martin simplifies this process by offering a full site assessment, a tailored response, and a detailed handover plan.
We evaluate your development requirements, assess current issues, and propose a service that prioritises communication, cost control and value. Every account is handled with care and attention.
Step 5: Inform Your Current Factor
Once the decision is made, you’ll need to formally inform your current factor. Taylor & Martin provides a letter template to help you do this professionally. This letter confirms your decision to change factors, the date of effect and who the new property managers will be.
Step 6: Manage the Handover Process
We coordinate the entire handover, ensuring transparency and protecting your interests. Our team works directly with your current factor to transfer documents, accounts and service histories. You’ll never be left managing this alone.
Take action before small issues become major problems.
Contact us today to switch to property factors trusted by industry professionals.
FAQs about Changing Property Factors
We’ve compiled a list of common questions we’ve received from landlords and homeowners.
What if the current factor refuses to cooperate?
If your current factor won’t respond, especially after providing a reasonable opportunity to do so, the First-Tier Tribunal can intervene. We offer support throughout the process and can help assemble the necessary documentation.
What is the First-Tier Tribunal?
The First-Tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) is a legal body in Scotland that resolves disputes between homeowners and property factors. It ensures compliance with the Property Factors (Scotland) Act and the Code of Conduct. If your factor fails to meet minimum standards or refuses to cooperate, the Tribunal can intervene.
How long does it take to change factors?
Most transitions take a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the contractual notice period and how quickly the handover can be completed.
Still have questions? Get in touch with the Taylor & Martin team for clear advice and personalised support.
Taylor & Martin: Property Management That Works for You
At Taylor & Martin, we don’t just manage property, we build trusted relationships with the homeowners we serve across Scotland. We offer bespoke property factoring tailored to each client’s needs.
With our services, you benefit from:
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Dedicated property managers who ensure continuity and exceptional service.
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Bespoke service plans based on your property’s requirements.
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Transparent fees with no hidden charges or insurance mark-ups.
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Full compliance with all rules, codes and legal obligations.
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An experienced team committed to long-term property value.
From routine maintenance to emergency repairs, we ensure the professional upkeep of communal areas across a range of property types. We manage traditional tenements, new build developments, listed buildings, retirement housing, converted properties, and high-end properties.
Take back control of your property management. Contact us today to discuss how we can help change your factor and deliver the standards your property deserves.
Resources:
Click to access and download the relevant documents.
Ready to make the switch?
Tenement Focus
We know that the thought of changing factors can be intimidating. From rallying the neighbours to pulling together the necessary documentation; it can seem like a daunting process. That’s why we’ve tried to make it as simple as we can. On this page, you’ll see the process from start-to-finish, you’ll find helpful form letters to share with your neighbours, and we’ll bust a few of the most harmful myths around changing your factor.
Customer
Case Studies
After many years of terrible service and exorbitant costs from 2 of the well-established big players in the Glasgow factoring scene, it has been a real pleasure to hand over our business to Taylor & Martin, whose attitude to customer service is hands-on, responsive and diligent, coupled with a billing structure which is transparent, customer-focused and significantly cheaper than we were paying before.
Taylor & Martin have restored my faith in how property management should be carried out, with the interests of owners coming to the fore at all times. I have been hugely impressed by their cost-effectiveness, quality of service, attention to detail and personal attention even in the face of some very challenging legacy issues with the property. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to other owners looking for best value.
We engaged Taylor and Martin to factor our property 3yrs ago in 2018; it is rare to find a factoring business that is both transparent and energetic, and which leads the way when some owners are unsure of the next step.
Our tenement in Glasgow decided to change factors and moved to Taylor and Martin a few years ago. I was very impressed with their levels of communication and enthusiasm. They are proactive, arrange houseowners’ meetings, encourage discussion and effectively arrange the necessary works. We also have a flat in Edinburgh and, after a few issues arose, I suggested to the owners that they engage Taylor and Martin. After being appointed they again displayed the same levels of professionalism in Edinburgh as they had done in Glasgow. The Edinburgh owners were initially wary about appointing a Glasgow firm in Edinburgh but, after over a year in place, are all very happy with their decision to appoint.
It is four years since the development at 2-4 Queens Gardens dispensed with the services of our then Factor and appointed Taylor & Martin in their place. It has proved to be a very good move, and a bit of a revelation, with hallways no longer referred to, and treated, as “closes”, and actions decided on at well regulated factor/residents’ meetings actually carried out timeously and efficiently. The personal attention paid by T & M to activities at the property is appreciated and in marked contrast to our previous experience.
When we went to market for a new factor, we were already factored by one of the so-called ‘good ones’ but we sought competitive insurance cost and improvement in responsiveness. Not all owners desire the same level of participation in factoring matters but Taylor & Martin find the right balance to get jobs done to a high standard in a timely manner. Factoring isn’t magic – it requires clear communication and consultation to understand priorities and progress them. What we’ve got now with Taylor & Martin is a proactive, professional partnership to look after our property and investment.