Other users have had issues with Dobern on this forum. Just search 'Dobern' for a thread titled: Help being chased DCA for monies already paid Regards, GJH

Dobern Properties Ltd/Dobern Property Management (a trading name of Goldmine Associates Ltd...) operate out of a PO Box in Ilford. Their PO Box redirects to their office in Ilford. In the past, less that 2 in 5 items of post made it through to their PO Box!. Dobern Properties Ltd/Goldmine Associates Ltd registered office address is their solicitors' address in Barnet (Howard Schneider Spiro Steele). I had dealings with HSSS during my dealings with Dobern. Dobern used to operate from an address in Finchley. Dobern Properties Ltd/Goldmine Associates Ltd is run by two brothers: Leslie and Robert Kingston. The Kingston brothers' 'empire' includes a firm of accountants and other companies that deal with accounting matters. Cheers, GJH

Dont' be intimidated by Dobern an their aggressive tactics. I wouldn't bother dragging them to a tribunal. Wait for them to take action against you. If they do issue proceedings against you, just defend the claim. It'll be transferred to your local court if you defend it and you can let a judge decide. At Dobern's expense. You won't incur any costs if you're not in the wrong. Cheers, GJH

Mike - Watchdog wouldn't be interested. Dobern Properties Ltd activity aren't on a big enough scale for them to be interested in them. Dobern Properties Ltd are operating just under the radar. And they know it. Freeholders such as Dobern Properties Ltd are not regulated. Despite "reforming" leasehold laws in recent years, there's still no regulatory body who you can complain to. In theory the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) might offer some advice, but I rather suspect they'll bounce you back to your Local Trading Standards service. If you've suffered financially as a result of something Dobern Properties Ltd has (or hasn't) done your only real option is to instigate proceedings in your local county court. Be prepared for a trip to Ilford County Court though! Sawzibelle, I've replied to your PM... I sued Dobern Properties Ltd and won. I attended a preliminary hearing at Ilford County Court with a Deputy District Judge and Robert Kingston. The hearing didn't last that long. Kingston was advised to seek proper advice and whilst the Judge didn't make an official judgement his advice to Kingston was to settle the claim. Do not be intimidated by Robert Kingston. Stand your ground. Cheers, GJH

Harry, This comes as no surprise. Robert (Bob) Kingston is one of the most arrogant bullies I've ever come across. My advice would be to issue Dobern with a 7 day letter that you intend to instigate county court proceedings if they fail to respond to you. You can instigate proceedings for an amount to be decided by the court. You simply put "I do not expect my claim to exceed ." on the claim form. If you do proceed with the claim, you need to use Dobern's Registered Office address which is: Dobern Property Management C/O Howard Schneider Spiro & Steele Constable House 5 Bulwer Road BARNET EN5 5JD Don't be intimidated by either Robert or Leslie Kingston. I can email you further information about my experience with Dobern if you'd like to PM me your email address...

I've sent you a private message on the forum rightlads. I'm happy to provide further details by email if you wish. Cheers

Hi Mike, This is probably too late to help you - but I'll add it anyway in case it helps someone else. I used to own a leasehold property that Dobern Properties Ltd were the freeholders of. Shortly after placing the property on the market in 2005 Dobern Properties Ltd made a freeholder's demand for around £1200.00 relating to an insurance incident almost 2 years previous. I disputed the demand immediately and numerous letters then went back and forth between myself and Dobern Properties Ltd. My hand was eventually forced into paying Dobern Properties Ltd's demand; not doing so would have caused the sale of the property concerned to collapse. 6 months after I'd moved out of the property I re-opened the matter with Dobern Properties Ltd. Several more letters were exchanged but Dobern Properties Ltd remained resolute they had done nothing wrong. I eventually ran out of patience when they accused me of "making idle threats" and I issued proceedings against them in Croydon County Court. I successfully obtained judgment in default (for an amount to be decided by the Court) as they failed to respond to the claim form. Dobern Properties Ltd attempted to derail proceedings and get my judgment set aside by claiming they never received any paperwork from the Court. A hearing took place and the District Judge dismissed their application to have judgment set aside. The Judge was none too impressed by Dobern Properties Ltd's behaviour at that hearing. A hearing was arranged to decide the amount payable. Dobern Properties Ltd made two "offers" to settle prior to the hearing which I rejected on principle. One month before the hearing was due to take place Dobern Properties Ltd settled in full including all costs. Robert Kingston, Dobern Properties Ltd's "Office Manager" is nothing short of an arrogant, obnoxious bully. His brother, Leslie Kingston (who is one of the directors of Dobern Properties Ltd) isn't much better. I undertook quite in-depth research into their business activities and am more than willing to share any of that research with anyone that needs it. If you get into a dispute with Dobern Properties Ltd STAND UP TO THEM. Do NOT give in and don't be intimidated by either Leslie or Robert Kingston. My case wasn't the first time Dobern Properties Ltd had made demands to one of their leaseholders...