News On The Block

JJ Homes (Properties) Ltd

North House
31 North Street
Carshalton
SM5 2HW

Region:

Greater London

Telephone:

020 8296 0181

Contact Name:

Anthony Tokatly

Email Address:

info@jjhomes.co.uk

Website:

http://www.jjhomes.co.uk

 

What they say about themselves:

“We are a highly focussed, established (1960) RICS, ARMA and FSA-regulated firm specialising in residential block management in Central and Greater London. We have grown through recommendations with 200 blocks under management and mainly deal with RTMs and residents’ associations, although we have a growing portfolio of developers now wanting to deal with us to ensure their brand is maintained and enhanced, post sales.

Our typical management packages are highly tailored and flexible. These offer fixed-fee management property per annum, monthly documented inspections, transparent financial reporting and in-house surveying services. Our average management fee is between £180-£250 per unit, per annum.

We employ 10 property managers. A typical block for us is between 60 and 100 units. The percentage of mixed-use blocks managed by the company is 10%.

All our property managers have at least AIRPM Level One, and will proceed to Level 2. Our in-house surveyor is MRICS-qualified, while our Head of Accounts is LLB-qualified.

Recent management appointments include a 320-unit estate in Central London (JJ Homes was selected from a shortlist of five larger companies); a 60 unit Docklands block; a 120 unit block from a major developer (Taylor Wimpey), and a large 200 unit chunk of Streatham High Street.

Health and safety management is managed in-house by our specialist department ensuring reports and assessments are up to date, and that actions are followed through.

In terms of the technology we use, super-fast IBM servers underpinned by CITRIX software (www.citrix.com), which offers total reliability, security and 24/7 access of data. Property management package used is industry leading QUBE ( www.qubeglobal.co.uk/).

Our aim is to maintain excellent service to our existing portfolio and increase momentum in our growing new-build developer portfolio.

Company history: Specialist residential block management company established in 1960. Manage 5,000 units.

Key Individuals

Anthony Tokatly

Role: Managing Director

Profile: Experienced property professional with experience in large property management companies over a 15-year corporate career. Held directorships at numerous corporates before acquiring JJ Homes in 2005.

Education: Degree in Mechanical Engineering from King’s College, University of London.

Main focus: Attendance at AGMs and business development.

Interests: Keen sailor and plays in Surrey tennis leagues throughout the year.

Alan Tems

Role: General Manager

Employment history: Formerly CEO at the Regis Group Plc., following a ten-year spell as Residential Estates Manager at world renowned cutting-edge international developer Ballymore Properties Ltd.

Specialisms: Formulating future and current management strategies in building operations; the selection, training and development of teams of management and staff; compiling service charge budgets; compiling operating procedures for buildings to satisfy planning considerations.

Interests: Listening to music, particularly classical, and reading works by his favourite authors, such as John Grisham.

What others say about the company

Contractors

Sky Homes

“We work with JJ Homes on a number of projects. JJ Homes is proactive in its approach to digital switchover. They have a clear understanding of communal systems and the processes involved, and negotiate well on the clients’ behalf with regards to price, equipment locations and timeframes.

We have completed installation on a number of blocks for JJ Homes to ensure the homes they manage are future-proofed, and ready for a digital switchover.”

Zest 4 Homes

“Our dealings with JJ Homes are mainly with staff members Dean Cooper and Wendy Bendelow. They’re both professional people who issue us with clear directives in terms of property maintenance and project requirements. It makes all the difference in our industry when the people you deal with have an understanding of your requirements – it makes for better communication, and ensures that ultimately, the client gets what they want.

It makes a refreshing change to be thanked for a job well done, as both Dean and Wendy thank us – it’s nice to be appreciated.”

John Wilson, 1^st Express

“JJ Homes is a good firm to work with. They’re organised, always pay us on time, and the structure of their company seems very good. Lots of management companies come and go, but JJ Homes provides a quality service for quality residences that people are prepared to pay for.”

Clients and residents’ associations

Residents’ Association Director, Water’s Edge, Addlestone, Runnymeade

“I live on a development of privately owned homes.  I am the residents’ director, and I am in regular contact with Charlotte Hughes, who is one of the property managers for JJ Homes.  I have found their services invaluable since I have begun my role as director.  Charlotte and her manager have been able to offer advice to me, and have assisted greatly in ensuring a system of parking control has been successfully introduced.  They do regular property inspections to ensure the site is being looked after.  They also handle the financial aspects in areas such as payment of service providers, utilities to the site and insurances.  I have found them approachable, professional and helpful in my dealings with them.”

Geoff Broom, Director – Broom Park, Teddington (Prestigious Large Tower Block riverside development)

“We’ve worked with JJ Homes for 18 months on our 41-flat and 14-house development, as the previous agent we used had sold on their business to the firm. JJ Homes was on a one-month trial, and we’re still using them. The firm is doing a good job at a competitive price. We would recommend them to another client.

Resident and director - Cascades Court, Wimbledon Town Centre

“Over the past few years, I’ve built up a good relationship with JJ Homes, and our nominated property manager, Dean Cooper, is responsive and proactive in responding to my requests and emails. As with all agents, there have been a few minor hiccups in the early days, but these appear to be smoothed over. The service provided is good, and meets our expectations.”

What we say about them

JJ Homes is a company that aims to value its staff. It has profiled all its key staff members on the company’s website, www.jjhomes.co.uk (hyperlinked in final report). In the final stages of gaining an Investor in People accreditation (http://www.investorsinpeople.co.uk/Pages/Home.aspx), all staff will soon benefit from a development programme featuring regular reviews, with personal, tailored development plans.

The information it provides online is clear, readable and transparent, while the response times it aims to offer its clients are good. Phone calls will be answered within 2 hours, emails on the same day, and letters within 2 working days, while lessees are communicated with daily.

JJ Homes aims to maintain good relationships with not only its clients, but the residents it serves. In mixed-use developments, JJ Homes holds regular meetings between both the residential and commercial leaseholders to keep relationships between both parties clear and smooth, and sends out regular newsletters to keep leaseholders informed – an area often neglected in property management. Those considering JJ Homes to manage their block of flats should note that the company has never lost the management of a block following a ‘right to manage’ application, or because the LVT has appointed a different manager.

JJ Homes aims to demonstrate its new-build credentials in its history of getting involved at the design and planning stage of building design to stage and manage annual costings – a service useful to developers and freeholders, that is available by no means as an option with every property management company.

The company appears to offer a good, considerate service to leaseholders and lessees.

JJ Homes has expanded considerably since being acquired by Anthony Tokatly six years ago.  With a growing profile in the property management industry, the recent hire of experienced General Manager, Alan Tems should add strength and depth and enhance the company’s growth into the lucrative new build property management market.  JJ Homes is a property management company with big ambitions, and is certainly one to watch over the coming years.