A new Internet service could spell an end to the nuisance of noisy neighbours and landlords who neglect their properties.

News on the Block enables tenants and flat owners to join together and drum up some community clout.  It is the brainchild of Harvey Shulman, joint managing director of Solitaire, one of the largest property management companies in the UK.

He came up with the idea of using the web to set up virtual communities within blocks of flats.

Residents are pre-registered and can use the site as an online forum, for sharing information and discussing matters of mutual interest.  The sites are tailored to the local area, so that users can access current and relevant news, information and contact details - in areas from health and politics to restaurants and bars - specific to their locality.  While the service is free for residents - the sites are funded from advertising - News on the Block will re-invest 10 per cent of the revenue from each site into that apartment block to reduce every resident's annual service charge.

The scheme is currently being rolled out in some areas of London.  If successful, it will extend to other UK cities next year.

COMPUTER ACTIVE, 28 December 2000