Torsten demands housing boss clean up 'shoddy’ service to local people

Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West, has demanded that the boss of one of the UK's leading housing management firms explain the “shoddy” service it provides to residents in Swansea.  

In a tense meeting in Parliament attended by dozens of Labour MPs, Bell confronted the CEO of FirstPort about the "shoddy" behaviour of his company. He cited multiple complaints from constituents. These include the firm hiking service charges on one elderly resident battling cancer by almost £1,000 in just two years, without warning or a full explanation. Other common complaints include a lack of transparency, poor quality work, and a lack of responsiveness.  

FirstPort boss Martin King agreed to the meeting after more than 30 Labour MPs across England and Wales signed a joint letter calling on him to account for the performance of his company in Parliament.  

By the end of the meeting, King agreed that FirstPort’s performance had not been satisfactory, promised residents would see improvements within 6 months, and committed the company would attend a public meeting with aggrieved constituents in Swansea. FirstPort manages buildings such as Maxime Court retirement housing and Morgan Court in areas including Sketty and Swansea Marina. Bell has urged those affected by FirstPort’s conduct to get in touch with his office at torsten.bell.mp@parliament.uk.  

Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West said:  

“At a time when everyone’s living standards are being squeezed, too many leaseholders in Swansea have seen service charges skyrocket at the hands of mis-management agents like FirstPort. They deserve a better deal - which is why I’ve told FirstPort’s CEO directly that we’ve had enough of the firm’s shoddy behaviour.  

“FirstPort have said they’ll clean up their act, but let’s judge them on what they do, not say. The firm will attend a meeting with all affected residents in Swansea and I urge constituents who have suffered from FirstPort's shoddy service to get in touch with my office to attend the meeting with FirstPort and make your voice heard.” 

Elen Pierce, 74, a Swansea leaseholder in a development managed by FirstPort, said:  

“It was very upsetting for us when our insurance charge shot up without notice or being given any proper explanation. FirstPort's practices don't look after our interest, so it’s great that we might finally hold them to account. People in Swansea deserve better.”