What's happening
Hi everyone,
The board has finalised the budget with XL to run for the next 9 months, through to 30th April 2027. See the link below for the full budget.
We hope you've noticed a considerable saving compared to the historic FirstPort charges.
To help protect these savings, the board needs to keep spending within the agreed budget over the next 9 months. If you'd like something done that falls outside the current budget and general maintenance contract, it would help us a lot if you could check with the board first before requesting works directly.
For instance, we've had a request today for a keypad to be fitted to the gate opposite the garage door. This wouldn't fall under general maintenance, so it isn't something we're able to arrange within the current budget. If you'd like a key for this gate instead, just email the board at board@boulevardeast.co.uk and we'll do our best to sort this out for you.
Download the full Service Charge Budget (1 August 2026 – 30 April 2027) (PDF)
Dear Residents,
We are aware that a number of residents have received correspondence from FirstPort seeking payment, applying late-payment charges or threatening further recovery action in relation to service-charge demands covering a period that extends beyond the RTM acquisition date.
The Leasehold Advisory Service confirms that the outgoing landlord remains responsible for collecting arrears relating to the period before the RTM company acquires management. From the acquisition date, the RTM company becomes responsible for providing the relevant services and may issue service-charge demands in accordance with the leases.
Where FirstPort issued an annual advance demand before the acquisition date, the position requires careful accounting because the demand may include money intended to fund services that will subsequently be provided by the RTM company.
During the handover discussions in February, XL informed FirstPort that the Ingress Park RTM transitions were to proceed on the following basis:
This arrangement was important because a number of FirstPort accounts were disputed and XL would not have the records necessary to determine those historic disputes. The intention was that the RTM company would begin its management period with its own service-charge accounts rather than inheriting FirstPort’s debtor ledger.
XL is also aware of other developments where leaseholders paid FirstPort for periods extending beyond the handover date but, several months later, the corresponding money had neither been refunded to the leaseholders nor transferred to the new management arrangements.
XL has repeatedly written to FirstPort seeking confirmation that its accounts will be corrected in accordance with the agreed transition arrangements. We have also raised the matter with the local MP. Despite follow-up telephone calls and emails, we have not yet received a substantive response.
What affected leaseholders should do
If you have paid the calculated pre-acquisition proportion but FirstPort is pursuing you for the remainder, we recommend that you:
A suggested complaint is set out below.
Please note that submitting a complaint does not, by itself, legally suspend payment obligations. FirstPort also states that its complaints procedure does not automatically place charges on hold. Individual leaseholders should therefore consider obtaining independent advice from LEASE if FirstPort continues recovery action.
XL will continue pursuing FirstPort for a development-wide resolution and will support leaseholders with the information available to us.
Kind regards,
XL@ Property
Subject: Formal Stage 1 complaint – disputed service-charge balance
Dear FirstPort,
Please treat this correspondence as a formal Stage 1 complaint and a dispute concerning the balance shown on my service-charge account.
Property: [ADDRESS]
The service-charge demand issued by FirstPort covers a period extending beyond the date on which the RTM company acquires/acquired the right to manage the building.
I understand that FirstPort agreed with XL@ Property, the RTM company’s incoming managing agent, that:
I have paid £[AMOUNT] on [DATE], representing what I understand to be the appropriate amount for the period up to the RTM acquisition date. I dispute the remaining balance of £[AMOUNT], which appears to relate wholly or partly to the period during which FirstPort will no longer be responsible for managing the building.
Please provide:
Please place the disputed balance on hold and suspend further recovery action while this complaint is investigated. No admission is made that the disputed balance is due to FirstPort.
I have attempted to resolve this matter previously, but neither I nor XL has received the clarification required. Please acknowledge this complaint within five working days and provide your Stage 1 response in accordance with your published complaints procedure, which states that FirstPort aims to respond within 15 working days after a complaint handler is assigned.
Please ensure that all future correspondence clearly identifies the pre-acquisition and post-acquisition elements separately.
Kind regards,
5th August 2026
Dear Leaseholders & Occupiers,
Fire Door Survey Programme – Action Required
We are pleased to confirm that Crest Nicholson's appointed specialist Fire door Consultant, The FDI Ltd, will be attending the Property to carry out the Fire Door Survey Programme in two parts:
1) All Communal fire doors on 3rd of August 2026 until 19th of August 2026 and
2) Flat front entrance doors on 28th of August and the 1st of September 2026
Your attendance is required for the survey of your flat entrance door only which usually takes 30 minutes. The Fire Door Consultant is expected to be on site for 1.5 days to carry out surveys of the front entrance doors serving individual apartments. The surveys are required to enable a detailed scope of any necessary passive fire safety works to be prepared. The survey is free of charge.
To ensure that your apartment can be included within the survey programme, please use the QR code below or contact the Consultant directly to book an appointment.
QR Code:
Contact Details:
rlo@thefdi.co.uk – 0203 0939790
It is imperative that you arrange your appointment within the next two weeks by the 14th of August 2026, to secure a time slot that is convenient for you. Appointment availability may become limited as the programme progresses.
Please note, that completion of these surveys is important for building fire safety purposes and forms part of the overall building fire safety assessment of the Property.
These surveys are similar to previous surveys you have had however these surveys go beyond standard surveys and there is an element of intrusive investigation required to enable a full compliance check. This critical part of the survey includes the removal of such items like Hinges, viewers, closures, locks etc and one side of the door frames architrave (communal corridor side where available). Please be assured that at the end of the survey these will be fully reinstated to a safe state. Any unavoidable damage will be rectified by Crest Nicholson during the remedial works stage which will follow shortly after.
If access is not provided and the surveys cannot be completed, this may prevent a qualifying assessment from being undertaken and could potentially impact the ability to mortgage, remortgage or sell the property in the future, as purchasers, lenders and their advisers may seek confirmation that the relevant building fire safety assessment process has been completed.
We therefore strongly encourage you to book your appointment upon receipt of this letter.
Kind Regards,
For and on behalf of XL@Property Limited
We have reached out to Stuart from XL Property, who has written to Charles at First Port. The full text of Stuart's communication is set out below.
Can you urgently arrange a Team meeting with your accounts team who are responsible for Ingress Park? I am sure that Lulu has explained she is getting inundated with invoice queries over the lost blocks and the Collections team are not handling this very well, probably due to a lack of understanding of what is happening across the site.
The issues we are encountering:
Both Lulu, myself and leaseholders have contacted your collections team but there is a deep lack of understanding of the situation. The best way to resolve this is to have a call between all of the parties so that we can resolve the matter for leaseholders. The current situation cannot be allowed to continue as it is causing alarm and distress to residents.
I am copying in Jim Dickson, MP for Dartford as I know some residents are contacting him and he is due to visit Ingress Park shortly.
Please arrange a meeting so that we can provide residents with clear messaging and an understanding of who they pay and for what services.
— Stuart, XL Property
A number of residents have received letters from First Port threatening to refer accounts to their recovery agents within 5 days unless payment is made for service charge periods after the RTM handover date of 1st August 2026.
We spoke to Paul at First Port on Thursday and he confirmed that he would ask his accounts department to put a hold on all chasing. We have also been communicating with Stuart at XL who is trying to escalate this with senior management at First Port.
We are sure that this situation is frustrating for all of us but no surprise that First Port can't even seem to communicate internally.
As a group we do not believe we have any property lawyers, but if the majority of leaseholders wants us to employ a property lawyer, we can look at this procedure. We are sure that XL has access to the legal aspects of this as well and will be looking at securing the best outcome as our new management company.
Why First Port Cannot Keep the Money
Based on research from multiple internet sources.
If you receive any further demands from First Port, please contact the board. Full details and updates are available on the Discussion page.
Crest Nicholson's fire door surveyors have been on site over the past two days carrying out inspections of the communal doors throughout the development. This has involved the removal and replacement of door frames as part of the assessment process, which we understand is a necessary part of the fire safety programme.
However, residents have reported that the reinstatement work has left visible mess around the edges and joints of the affected frames. The board will be contacting XL Property to arrange for someone to inspect the affected areas and seek confirmation from Crest Nicholson that all areas will be properly made good — and that any remediation will be carried out at no cost to residents.
We will update residents once we have a response. If you have noticed damage in communal areas near your door, please contact the board so we can include it in our report to XL Property.
Following reports from residents that First Port have been pursuing payments for periods after the RTM date, the board spoke with Stuart at XL Property today. Stuart has met with Lulu at First Port directly, and she has spoken with their collections team to explain that they should not be chasing any payments beyond the RTM handover date. The matter has been escalated within First Port to ensure the chasing stops.
XL Property's position remains that residents should not pay any amounts to First Port beyond the RTM date, as XL Property are not taking on any opening creditors or debtors from the previous management arrangement. The board echoes this recommendation, though the decision remains with each individual leaseholder.
If you continue to receive any demands or communications from First Port following this update, please report it to the board via the Contact the Board page.
Crest Nicholson's fire door consultant completed their first on-site inspection of Boulevard East today. The survey team walked the full extent of the development, covering all communal areas and the car park. We will share further updates as the programme progresses to the flat entrance door stage.
We are pleased to confirm that the issue with the entrance keypad to the metal garage door has now been resolved. XL Property responded swiftly and had the problem rectified promptly — a very encouraging start to their management of the development. Thank you to all residents who raised this.
During a recent inspection, XL Property noted that a number of items had been fly-tipped in the bin store. These items will not be collected by the council and there is a cost to the building for their removal. If you placed any items in the bin store that should not be there, please remove them and take them to your local tip, where they can be disposed of free of charge.
Please be aware that any resident found responsible for fly-tipping will be charged the standard removal fee of £250.
In addition, residents are reminded not to leave glass bottles on the floor of the bin store. Please ensure all glass is placed inside a bin. The council have confirmed this is a health and safety issue for their staff, as loose glass presents a trip hazard and a risk of injury to residents.
XL Property
Managing Agent, Boulevard East
It has been noted that the communal areas had not been cleaned as of 15:00 on 7th August 2026, despite residents having been informed by Natalie on 29th July 2026 that this would take place. This has been raised with XL Property and we will update residents once the matter has been resolved.
A quick update on glass recycling at Boulevard East. Following a conversation with a First Port maintenance operative today, we can confirm that Dartford Council are no longer collecting glass separately. Please deposit all glass into the black bins going forward.
Philip Pinchen
Director, Boulevard East Residents' Management Company
Following our detailed enquiries to Dee Patel at Crest Nicholson regarding the fire door survey process, we have received a positive response confirming that Crest are happy to assist with any further questions the board or residents may have.
We will continue to engage with Crest Nicholson throughout the survey programme. Please refer to our earlier article for a full breakdown of the survey process, or contact the board with any questions.
XL Property have responded to our follow-up questions. The responses are set out below alongside the original questions for context.
Q: When can the RTM expect access to the company portal?
XL Property: The backend of September is the anticipated timeframe. The finance module has now been coded and is live, and the team are currently working on the client-side view.
Q: What level of expenditure should require RTM approval? (£250 was the figure agreed with First Port)
XL Property: Their standard threshold is £2,000. A figure of £250 would require XL to seek approval very frequently. They also suggest zero on Reserves — meaning all Reserve Fund expenditure would require RTM approval regardless of amount.
Q: Can you confirm the security camera system is working and provide an expected date for the live feed?
XL Property: They will obtain an update from the team. A new broadband line will need to be installed as First Port will be cutting the current one. We have already confirmed our registration with the Information Commissioner's Office.
Q: Can you confirm the management fee?
XL Property: The management fee is £7,000. Philip and Michael are currently reviewing the contract and will return it to XL Property as soon as possible.
These updates will also be reflected on the Discussion page in due course.
Following our enquiries to Crest Nicholson, Dee Patel (Head of Remediation Engagement) has written to us with a detailed explanation of the fire door survey process, the legal framework behind it, and what residents can expect at each stage. We have set this out in full below.
Why the surveys are taking place
Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations, the responsible person for a residential building over 11 metres in height must undertake quarterly checks of fire doors in communal areas and annual checks of flat entrance doors. Crest Nicholson's surveys are independent of these statutory checks and go further, using more thorough assessment methods to understand the full scope of any works required.
The survey process — step by step
1. Access to all flats is required
Access to all flat entrance doors is required as part of the inspections. Where leaseholders or residents are absent for extended periods, arrangements will need to be discussed to facilitate access where possible.
2. Surveys will be completed as quickly as possible
Crest are seeking to complete the surveys and any subsequent works as quickly as possible, although timescales will depend on survey findings and the procurement process.
3. Crest will only remediate original defects
Crest Nicholson will only undertake works required to address original defects. Where residents have previously had alterations carried out — such as the installation of a drop seal — the survey will determine whether the door now meets the required standard. If a door remains non-compliant due to an original defect, Crest will carry out the necessary remedial works. However, Crest will not be responsible for rectifying damage caused by third-party alterations. The surveyor's report will confirm the scope of any works required.
4. An initial sample assessment has already taken place
An initial sample assessment of a selection of doors was undertaken on 6th July 2026.
5. Communal doors are surveyed first, then flat entrance doors
Following the sample survey, the contractor will begin with surveys of the communal doors throughout the building, before moving on to the flat entrance doors. This approach gives residents sufficient time to book appointments and allows the project team to plan access arrangements effectively.
6. Full transparency for the RTM
Both Crest Nicholson and the RTM/Managing Agent will have visibility of the survey findings and any defects identified for each individual door, ensuring the process remains open and transparent.
7. Works mobilisation expected 6–8 weeks after surveys
Once surveys are complete, the works package will be prepared and tendered. Following contractor appointment, approvals will be obtained and mobilisation arrangements agreed, including access dates, risk assessments, and site setup. As a guide, mobilisation would typically be expected around 6 to 8 weeks after the survey stage, subject to approvals and procurement.
8. Qualifying assessment reports will be produced
For all fire door and fire-stopping works, qualifying assessment reports will be produced to demonstrate that the completed works meet the required standard for the specific elements remediated.
9. A qualifying fire risk assessment requires all works to be complete
Once all internal fire-stopping and fire door works are complete, a qualifying fire risk assessment can only be issued where the requirements of the Developer Remediation Contract and all Managing Agent actions have been satisfied at the time of assessment.
10. Where management actions remain outstanding
Where only Crest's obligations under the Developer Remediation Contract have been completed and management actions remain outstanding, a fire safety assessment will be issued instead. This will clearly identify any remaining issues and what still needs to be addressed.
We will continue to keep residents updated as the survey programme progresses. If you have any questions, please use the Contact the Board page.
Information provided by Dee Patel, Head of Remediation Engagement, Crest Nicholson.
Following XL Property's initial responses to our questions earlier this week, we have written back to Stuart to seek further clarification on a number of outstanding points.
Outstanding points followed up:
Company portal access
We have asked XL Property for a rough timeframe on when the company portal will be set up and accessible to the RTM.
Expenditure approval threshold
We have asked XL Property to suggest an appropriate expenditure threshold for RTM approval. For context, the figure previously agreed with First Port was £250.
Security camera system
We have asked XL Property to confirm that the security camera system is fully operational and to provide an expected date for the live feed becoming available. We have now registered with the Information Commissioner's Office, which is a requirement for the RTM to have access to the feed.
Management contract
Philip and Michael are reviewing the contract and will return it to XL Property as soon as possible. We have also asked XL Property to confirm the management fee.
Additional items raised by residents:
We will publish XL Property's responses as they are received. Answers will also be posted on the Discussion page.
We have received initial responses from XL Property to the questions submitted on behalf of residents and the RTM. The questions and responses are set out below. Some matters remain outstanding and we will continue to follow up as further information is received.
1. When do you expect to have the first budget predictions and service charge bills available?
These should be going out next week.
2. Have you received everything from First Port that you would have expected at this stage?
We have most of what we need and they have committed to sending the outstanding items. Jim Dickson is also involved.
3. Are there any urgent works planned for August?
Nothing outside of Crest Nicholson's work.
4. Were utility readings taken at the point of handover to give us a clear starting position?
Yes.
5. Has the company portal been set up so that we can access our accounts?
Not yet — this is in progress.
6. What level of expenditure requires RTM approval going forward?
To be agreed.
7. Do you intend to hold regular meetings with us — monthly, for example — or only when a significant issue arises?
Quarterly meetings were discussed previously.
8. Do you now have access to the security cameras, and can the RTM have a link to the live feed?
The feed is being sorted out. The RTM is not currently registered under the Data Protection Act to access this.
9. How often do you communicate with the Outdoor Spaces Board, and will you also act as our liaison with this group?
XL are meeting the Outdoor Spaces Board on Tuesday to discuss this.
10. When will the contract be sent out, as it has not yet been received?
XL were awaiting Phil's amendments. The standard template will be resent shortly.
11. Outstanding issues with First Port — will XL Property take up these outstanding matters?
Yes.
These questions and responses are also published in full on our Discussion page.
I have spoken today with FDI Ltd, Crest Nicholson, and XL Property to seek clarification on the surveys being conducted as part of the fire safety assessment of the property.
FDI Ltd are the appointed company to carry out the surveys. However, they have no understanding of the legal requirements or what certificate will be issued, so there is no value in communicating with them beyond arranging a date for access.
I have also spoken with Dee Patel at Crest Nicholson to seek clarification on the following points:
Dee was helpful and has agreed to write to us clarifying each of the points above as soon as possible. Stuart from XL Property has also been extremely helpful and will write to us shortly to confirm that Crest Nicholson is undertaking this work to fulfil their requirements under the Government Developer Pledge.
Initial response from Dee Patel, Head of Remediation Engagement, Crest Nicholson:
George is in training today and tomorrow, but I have managed to obtain an update from him regarding the Fire Engineer's visit on 29 July.
Unfortunately, the engineer started work in other blocks within Ingress and, as access had not been arranged to any apartments, he had to rely on door knocking to gain entry. This proved more time-consuming than anticipated, and as a result there was insufficient time to visit the remaining blocks, including Boulevard East.
George has received confirmation today that a further visit will therefore be required. This has now been arranged for next week — Thursday 13th August. Rather than issuing a further communication to all residents, it would be extremely helpful if you could identify one or two apartments where access could be provided for the inspection.
I will come back to you shortly regarding the doors and the qualifying assessments.
— Dee Patel, Head of Remediation Engagement, Crest Nicholson
We will update residents as further written responses are received from both Crest Nicholson and XL Property.
Michael Ingram
Director, Boulevard East Residents' Management Company
We are pleased to confirm that Crest Nicholson's appointed specialist Fire Door Consultant, The FDI Ltd, will be attending the property to carry out the Fire Door Survey Programme in two parts:
Your attendance is required for the survey of your flat entrance door only, which usually takes 30 minutes. The Fire Door Consultant is expected to be on site for 1.5 days to carry out surveys of the front entrance doors serving individual apartments. The surveys are required to enable a detailed scope of any necessary passive fire safety works to be prepared. The survey is free of charge.
For full details on how to book your appointment — including contact details and the booking deadline of 14th August 2026 — please download the letter from XL Property below.
Download Full LetterWe have contacted XL Property with a number of questions on behalf of residents and the RTM regarding the management and operation of Boulevard East. The questions submitted cover a range of topics, including financial matters, ongoing management, planned works, and issues raised by residents.
The questions submitted are as follows:
Additional items raised by residents include:
We will publish XL Property's responses on the Discussion page of the website as they are received.
As anticipated, First Port are raising additional charges in the final stages of their management. We have written to First Port requesting a copy of the audited accounts for 2024/25, along with copies of the invoices that were not included in our original service charges. We will update you as soon as we receive a substantive response.
We are pleased to announce the launch of the new Boulevard East residents' website. The site has been created to keep all leaseholders informed about the management of the development, providing a central hub for important documents, news and updates, and a direct line of communication to your resident board. We encourage all leaseholders to bookmark the site and check back regularly for updates.
We are pleased to confirm that the full transition from First Port is now underway and XL Properties have taken over management of Boulevard East. We will keep all leaseholders updated with any financial documentation concerning First Port as this becomes available. If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the board.
Your board will be hosting the first open residents' meeting shortly. This is your opportunity to meet the directors, ask questions about how the development will be managed, and have your say on priorities. The date, time, and venue will be confirmed here and circulated to all residents by letter.
We will circulate important updates by letter to all residents. You can also check back here regularly, or contact the board to let us know your preferred method of communication.
Have something to share?
If you have a news item or update you think other residents should know about, submit it here. The board will review all submissions and publish those that are relevant to the development.