Flat owners hit the roof after problems at Ayr factoring firm leaves some residents out of pocket

The row has left one development claiming it is owed more than £20,000 in advance payments already made.

Hundreds of flat owners have been left in limbo and some owed money after problems at a major property management firm.

Donald Ross Residential Factoring looks after 90 developments in Ayrshire and Glasgow.

But seafront blocks and a retirement complex in Ayr are among those out of pocket and general repairs including gardening and communal building work not being looked after properly.

The situation has been ongoing for around three months and follows the marital split of company kingpins Jacqueline and Steven Miller.

The factoring company claims to have 2,700 clients.

The Dalblair Court development in Ayr has already dismissed the company – and says more than £20,000 is due back to them on advance payments made to this summer.

A committee member said: “It was all a complete mess and we had worries nobody was looking after our emergency telephone system.”

And one flat owner at the Carrick Quay development in Ayr said: “It is a complete shambles, I am owed money for services not provided.

“There have been issues with people not being paid for carrying out work.”

Jacqueline, 50, had been a director of the firm since 2017 but resigned on March 24.

Steven, 48, became a director on the same day.

According to Companies House documents, secretary Fraser Stewart also resigned.

Stewart is a co-director of the Donald Ross estate agency in Ayr, a separate company.

But he has also recently set up his own factoring firm, Dundonald-based M&S Property Management (Ayrshire.)

John Murray was brought in as a director of Donald Ross Residential Factoring as recently as March, but then resigned last month.

Jacqueline remains a director of the Donald Ross estate agency in Beresford Terrace, Ayr.

Ex-car dealer Steven quit as a director of this company in January last year.

The factoring arm – now based in Irvine – includes Steven MacVean of Prestwick estate agency Limegreen.

He is listed as operations manager and on the website Steven Miller says he has “enrolled my trust in Steven MacVean and a small team.”

Steven MacVean joined Steven Miller at a meeting with fed-up flat owners staged in the unlikely venue of a basement car park in Ayr.

It happened at the Inkerman Court flats on Ayr Esplanade.

Anthony M D’Arcy, chairman, said: “I can confirm that the Inkerman Court committee do not wish to make a comment regarding Donald Ross Factoring.”

A source said: “It seems some people have been left without any realistic semblance of property management.

“Some properties are either seeking a new factor or have already taken steps to terminate their contracts with DRF.

“As many of the residents in these properties are elderly, this gives them additional stress at what is already a difficult time.”

Both Steven and Jacqueline Miller have been contacted by phone and email for comment.

The phone at the head office of Donald Ross Factoring was not answered and callers are unable to leave a message.