Ongoing Maintenance Failures and Non-Contractual Charges
I have had an extremely disappointing experience with Northern Group in relation to the management of Wellington House.
During this year alone, Northern Group has attempted to levy two separate charges that are not provided for in the lease. While the lease allows for a service charge increase once per year, capped at 20%, Northern Group first attempted to backdate a service charge increase without providing notice, which is not compliant with the lease terms. Subsequently, they attempted to charge over £600+ for a “service charge reconciliation”, again without prior notice and without this charge being specified in the lease.
In addition, I have experienced ongoing water leaks within my unit, caused by issues outside of my demised premises. The lease clearly states that these external areas are the landlord’s responsibility to maintain. Northern Group’s response was that they do not have sufficient funds to carry out the required repair works. This response is particularly concerning given that the company has recently acquired another building on Deansgate for an undisclosed sum.
As a result of the unresolved issues, I am no longer able to use parts of the premises to operate my business, yet I have not been offered any compensation or rent adjustment. This is especially troubling as my business is open to the general public, making this a health and safety concern. Communication from Northern Group has been consistently dismissive and unprofessional, rather than constructive or solution-focused.
Northern Group’s website states that they “would not rent out a property they themselves would not work in”. Based on my experience, this statement does not reflect the condition of Wellington House, which is poorly maintained and neglected. The courtyard area suffers from overflowing drains and pest issues, which further highlights the lack of adequate property management.
The building is occupied by many small businesses who have invested heavily in fitting out their units and are therefore placed in a difficult position when faced with management practices that appear to rely on tenants lacking the financial means to challenge them.
Based on my experience, I would strongly advise prospective tenants to review their lease carefully and proceed with caution before engaging with Northern Group.
30 September 2025
Unprompted review