POD Management - Borehamwood

Douglas K.

Being a big improvement on the previous management was not a very high bar. But POD stands out in particular for its excellent communications with residents, helping us to feel involved in the management project. They have gone about the handover in a systematic and rational way, and seem to be friendly.

We had an unpleasant experience (remotely) over a tenancy violation, where the messages from different individuals were decidedly mixed, and in the end peremptory. Apart from that our experience with POD has been good.

Shane W.

POD came into our development around 18 months ago, promising the world and claiming to offer unparalleled service rivalling all others in the market. The harsh reality is that they have failed to deliver anything positive of note. Quite the opposite, in fact — over the last two years, they have created division within the community between leaseholders and freeholders. As a freeholder, I can state with categorical evidence that they have even discriminated against leaseholders.

They allowed a catastrophic data breach involving residents’ personal information — including names, addresses, email addresses, and mobile phone numbers. They initially denied the breach until the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) became involved.

Furthermore, POD has implemented various measures that make it difficult — and in some cases, impossible — for people with disabilities to move freely around the development. This matter is now under investigation by the local council and the Equality Advisory Support Service.

I could go on, but I will simply say to landowners seeking a new agent or to self-managed developments considering outsourcing, I would simply advise extreme caution given the behaviour that POD show not only toward residents but particularly toward individuals that need more assistance — a stance that is wholly unacceptable. Had they not been so focussed on irrelevant tasks, perhaps they would have been better able to manage sensitive data and avoid such a careless and serious data breach.

Think carefully before you sign.

Hello U.

POD are incompetent and unfriendly while only serving the freeholder’s interests instead of the leaseholder. Utterly unprepared to serve a high value development and manage security poorly without security checks and uplifting random people to residents only private club. No gatekeepers at the entrance of the private club and the residents only entrance. Just randomly deactivated the fobs but would that help? Extremely arrogant POD on site management team who tells us as the leaseholder has ultimate responsibility to regulate the tenants’ behaviour and ensure we are not breaching the main lease. The relationship with the leaseholder we can only find is charging the sky high service charges close to £10k per annum which covers POD onsite members holidays and sick leaves that shows in the breakdown of £83,423 which is ridiculous. Chute room, the tower block entrance door and lifts as long needs maintenance as frequent as usual. Seriously over manpower but no one cares about the cost. As the freeholder sold the property to the leaseholder and the leaseholder have no choice just pay the bills. If we know the facts before we purchase the over million property just has the right of obligation. We definitely wouldn’t make such unwisely purchase decision. It’s a joke and we have so high prices to pay.

Sabah S.

Firstly, I want to say that I am never late in paying my bills. ANY of them.
Secondly, I live in the USA
Thirdly, so when POD took over the service charges re my flat in the UK (approximately 11/2 years ago), I was not aware.
Although they say they send Emails, that does not seem to be the case.
I literally had to beg they give me bank details so I could deposit the service charges immediately.
And, the person I had to deal with was astoundingly rude!
I now have it in my calendar as a reminder to contact them long before the service charge is actually due. They certainly have not made any attempt to try and resolve the issue.
Their predecessor was on time, no issues EVER, and had some decent manners.

Isaac W.

I am from Hampton Tower, SQP. POD used to be friendly and helpful when they first operated in this building, but over time, some staff have become increasingly passive, doing the bare minimum with little interest in resolving issues. Unfortunately, these individuals seem more likely to be promoted than those who are genuinely kind and proactive. As a result, the good ones leave, and complaints often land with those least willing to help.

Response times have worsened — emails now take days, and building issues can drag on for weeks. I’ve been waiting a week for a basic housekeeping request (cleaning up animal mess on the corridor carpet), and despite chasing three times — including directly in front of their “director” — nothing has been done. The lack of urgency, even at senior levels, speaks volumes.

Given the £10/sq ft annual service charge (about £5,000 for a typical one-bedroom flat) and the lack of accountability, the poor service and complacency are unacceptable. I would not recommend appointing POD as a managing agent unless they implement a meaningful complaint system that holds staff accountable for inaction rather than rewarding it.

Makis S.

As a resident of the Kew Riverside development, I am extremely disappointed with POD Management’s recent decision to reinstate bollards at the end of Melliss Avenue in Kew Riverside, restricting access to Terrano House and Acqua House. This decision was made without proper consultation with affected leaseholders and with complete disregard for the practical needs of the residents—especially families with young children, elderly individuals, and those with mobility issues who rely on vehicular access.

What is particularly alarming is that POD Management has justified this action by referencing a planning application (ref. 98/2689/FULL) that was formally refused by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Despite this clear refusal, they are proceeding with the bollard reinstatement without providing any evidence of updated planning permission or engaging in transparent dialogue with residents. Proceeding in this manner suggests either a serious oversight or a willful disregard for the proper planning process.

Communication with POD Management has been disappointing. They have shown a lack of accountability, transparency, and respect for the concerns of the community they are supposed to serve. Their actions appear unilateral and dismissive of the interests of those directly impacted.

Overall, this situation reflects poorly on POD Management’s professionalism and governance. I would strongly advise other leaseholders and freeholders to exercise extreme caution before entrusting this company with the management of their property. And if you're unsure, just take a moment to browse through the many negative reviews left by others—sadly, my experience is far from unique.

Mohan R. K.

Utterly useless and difficult to deal with. They failed to report me the failed fire inspection reports of my flats trying to help the developer. After 2 years, that too, only when I requested, I was provided. When I challenged, their dumbest response is that they are developing a platform for 2 years to inform to the customers. Whereas they demand service charge notices sending invoices via email and they already have a platform where they inform the leaseholders of the charges. Untrustworthy company

pui J.

The email reply from POD customer is always slow. It takes 5 days or more than 10 days to wait for a response which is out of expectations. The financial report (October 2023 to September 2024) of Huntley Wharf is not ready for the occupants to consult. It is more than five and a half months. The pipe system was not observed and cleaned properly during Winter. As a result, my property had the blow-up water from the kitchen sink. The flooring and the dishwasher were affected. I reserve the right to pursue claims.