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The best managed residential buildings are those with a manual that sets out exactly what leaseholders can and cannot do, and ensures property managers know how to respond to applications for alterations. If you are the managing agent of a residential block or development, or director of a share-of-freehold resident management company, the chances are that sooner or later you will have to deal with a licence to alter application.  But you do not have to wait for a leaseholder to apply before thinking abo

Following the government's unveiling of our strategy for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, we can now look further ahead and take a glimpse into the 'unlocked' future. The second webinar in Fixflo's Unlocking Property Management series zooms into the block management sector where a distinguished panel will broadcast a live presentation dedicated to block management companies and block managers operating in these times. Tune in on 4 June for advice on key regulatory changes and essential operational pol

Associate Katie Edwards of specialist property solicitors JB Leitch, asks that where a management order is made in respect of a property and service charge arrears accrued whilst the order is in place, can the arrears be assigned to a maintenance trustee and that trustee then take steps to recover arrears from lessees? The background In Chaun-Hui and others v K Group Holdings Inc [2019], units in a mixed-use block were held by tripartite leases, the parties to which were the head lessor, a maintenance tru

Katie Orr of JB Leitch's litigation department looks at recent case law to ask that where an RTM Company serves notice of its intention to acquire rights to manage, will its claim survive a failure to follow specific elements of procedure? The background In Lexham House RTM Company Ltd v European Investments & Development (Properties) Ltd [2019], the RTM Company served notice to acquire the right to manage a block comprising 24 flats, each of which is held under a long lease. Three flats on the top floor

We all know that during COVID-19 companies, individuals and the world at large has had to adapt to a new way of life & the need for technology has never been so great to offset the effects of restrictions and working from home. One example has been the increasing interest and use of our new Inerro service with its strengths being more apt now and in the coming months whilst its efficiencies will continue to benefit users when we return to a new way of "normal". Inerro (Latin for walk-around) is a 3D virtu

Nowadays, it’s common for the on-site team to be running the show. A capable estate manager with a team of concierge reporting into them, has the opportunity to stay close to the residents, deal with repairs and maintenance, and focus on keeping everyone in the building safe and sound.  We are seeing more activity on-site than ever before, as residential schemes are conceived with a strong sense of community. But with this increased level of interaction comes the opportunity for compromised on-site securi

With the “lockdown” measures and its impact in place for a number of weeks, we are pleased to report most practitioners have successfully overcome the practical difficulties created. The recently published Corona Virus Act 2020 does not consider the method of service and any extensions of time for service of Notices under the enfranchisement legislation. The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) have therefore issued a protocol encouraging parties to accept service of documents by

With Covid-19 putting a strain on businesses and changing lives, it’s important to celebrate the wins and focus on all the positives during this time. With the recruitment industry being easily affected by events of any kind, we’re thankful to be working in an industry that still needs roles filled and by our brilliant candidates! Stephen Downing is one of our candidates that started his job search prior to the UK lockdown and below explains how it has all worked for him: I started a new role with Princip

All being well, PM Legal’s rearranged Oxford Conference will be a roaring success in September and we look forward to being there as a sponsor and presenter. “Looking forward to things” has become a popular pastime these last couple of weeks and whilst we contemplate positive things to come, we’re all rolling up our sleeves and adapting to this coronavirus crisis.  Property Management Crisis Management  Firstly, a sneak preview of what we’ll be presenting on in Oxford.  You’re a property manager, going th

A new online customer journey has been launched by AXA Partners to manage home emergency claims.  ‘Home Manager’ has been developed in response to customer feedback, at a time when digitalisation has never been more important. As a result of significant investment in the build of new customer-facing digital assets, it allows customers to digitally track their claim, giving them increased peace of mind and full transparency throughout the claim journey.  Research by AXA Partners1 shows that, whilst custome

23 March 2020; the day the UK government took the unprecedented step of locking down the country. Millions of UK residents were ordered to stay home, schools were closed, and those of us that are able to do so were required to work from home. My daily commute disappeared over night – one day it was a 45 minute train journey, the next a trip of about thirty paces, down the stairs and into my home office. It’s a date that many of us will remember forever, and if you are anything like me, when the announceme

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed our lives almost overnight. Many of us have been working from home for weeks, relying on technology to maintain contact with colleagues and keep businesses ticking over as much as possible. But what about those who cannot work from home? That includes not only frontline medical staff, but everyone from binmen to supermarket shelf-stackers. The pandemic has forced us to take notice of the ‘invisible’ workers we now realise we can’t do without. And in the property industry,