A FIRM of factors has refused to give up its right to manage a housing development – despite being sacked by everyone who lives there.

Glasgow-based Hacking and Paterson will continue to levy charges on scores of flats and homes in a new development in Yoker – yet residents voted unanimously to change their factor.The company claimed homeowners had failed to stick to strict rules on changing factors.

But angry residents of Ellerslie Path and Ellerslie Road, next to the north terminal of the Renfrew Ferry, say their demands for a change – which they believe will save them an average of £150 a year each – has been ignored.

After months of complaints about the service from H&P, the Ellerslie Residents and Owners' Association voted to change factor. The vote was at a special meeting chaired by local councillor Graeme Hendry.

An association spokesman said: "People were fed up with the quality of the work and the size of the charges, so we tendered to get a new factor.

"We wrote to H&P to tell them to send us final bills but have heard nothing back."

The factor's charge for flats is about £500 a year and tenants' complaints included poor landscaping and costs.

Mr Hendry backed residents.

He said: "The behaviour of some factors seems to show a complete disregard for residents.

"In this case the residents have been clear in their wish to sack their factor, so for H&P to simply ignore this and just keep charging people shows contempt for their clients."

Hacking and Paterson denied ignoring its customers. Neil Watt, senior partner at the firm, insisted his company would never want to keep customers against their will.

However, he suggested the Yoker case was complicated because the Ellerslie development was only half finished – and the owners of undeveloped land next to completed buildings also had a right to choose their factor.

He said: "Generally speaking, if people do not want us, we won't be hanging about, we could do without the hassle.

"But in this case the situation is complicated.

"We have responsibility to all our clients, including landowners, and not just homeowners.

"There are rules and processes that have to be adhered to before customers can change their factor – and that has not happened.

"Despite the bad publicity surrounding our industry, we are a reputable firm and take such responsibilities very seriously.

"Of course, we could just walk away but we cannot do that without observing all the rules."

david.leask@ heraldandtimes.co.uk