News On The Block

Q&A - Service Charge demands

 Is there any way we can find out the new service charge demand must state?

Q&A - Major Works 

Is it possible to obtain financing for major works on a block of flats?

If a mangement company plans a project and if the cost involved requires a contribution great enough to be a problem for one or more owners, is it possible to obtain finance such that the cost to owners can be spread over 12 or more months?

Q&A - When leaseholders own the freehold 

When leaseholders own the freehold and control the management of their building. 

If the flats are all privately owned and managed by the company who are also the leaseholders then you are in a fortunate position in that when the same Company hold both positions they can virtually do what they want as regards Service Charges/Estate Managers and other things.

Q&A- Do I have no right of redress?

I own one flat in a three-block development of 30 flats, each owner holding one share in the management company, neither of the two directors living on the premises and only one, the son, being a shareholder. The directors have proposed imminent major and costly roof repairs relying on the “experience” of one of the directors, the father and a 5 year old survey.

Q&A - Dirty exterior walls

QUESTION
I have attached two photo’s of theexterior walls of our apartment blocks. The Blocks were completed about 6 years ago and as you can see are getting a little dirty. Most of this is caused by the coping stones not overhanging the wall sufficiently. We had the walls steamed cleaned last year but this was not terribly satisfactory. Is there a material that can be applied to the walls, so the dirt just runs off ? Or do we need to seal the concrete coping stones? 

Q&A - Do we need to carry out a risk assesment on our block?

QUESTION
I live in a block of flats. I am confused about whether we need to carry out a risk assessment on our block and if so, how to go about completing this? Any help would be appreciated.

Q&A - Taking over the management

QUESTION
We are a small group of residents with a Company Secretary and 4 Directors. We took over the management of 31 properties with shared grounds and a maintenance charge. We need advice on our duties and whether we have to intervene in every dispute eg noisy neighbours and parking.