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This case (Aldford House Freehold Limited V Grosvenor (Mayfair) Estate and another 2019] EWHC 1848) concerns a block of flats facing Park Lane near the Dorchester Hotel. A number of flat owners sought to collectively acquire the freehold interest. To do so notice must be given by qualifying flat owners holding at least half of the number of flats in the building. So it was essential to establish how many flats were in existence at the point the notice was given. The tenants decided there were 26 flats as

An extra full-time property inspector has been recruited to join Principle Estate Management to help manage the company’s fast-growing portfolio. Matt Hill’s new role was created after the number of developments the Birmingham-based company manages across the country reached more than 150 since its launch in Spring 2018. Principle’s property inspection team is already using the Qube site inspection app to make thorough inspections of all properties, normally every six weeks for all apartment developments.

QUESTION The lease for my flat contains the following clause :-   “Not at any time during the Term:   underlet the Demised Premises without the prior written consent of the Manager or its agents ( such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed ) PROVIDED ALWAYS that such underletting shall be by means of an assured shorthold tenancy agreement or any other form of agreement which does not create any rights of tenancy for the tenant after the term of any such agreement shall have expired” .  

Flat owners exercising their enfranchisement rights, i.e. to acquire a new lease alone or the freehold collectively, have to protect their position by applying to the Tribunal for it to determine the terms absent an agreement having been reached within a period of six months from the landlord’s counter notice being given. Negotiations will continue alongside Tribunal proceedings. The Tribunal gives parties the opportunity to have the proceedings held in abeyance for a period of three months to give more t

Whether you are an employer looking for a new block manager or you are a block manager looking for a new employer, you have a potentially important decision to make.   You’ll ask yourself: Do I put my eggs in one carefully chosen basket or do I spread my risk? In other words, do I instruct one recruitment agent or more than one?   We look through the eyes of the candidate and the employer, at the advantages and disadvantages of ‘sole agency’.   Candidates For you as a block manager, client accountant or

Working alongside a block management recruiter when seeking new staff needs to be a seamless task. Both clients and recruiters will be discussing at length what is required to suit the company and the team that a new block management candidate could be joining. This is a crucial part of our recruitment process and is much more effective if not rushed. Both sides seek happiness in the perfect match.   There are many clients, within block management, that really don’t want to hear from a recruiter unless it

News on the Block is extremely sad to report that solicitor, academic and one of our awards judges Professor James Driscoll has died. James sat as a judge on the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for 11 years and was also a prolific speaker at News on the Block conferences and awards events. He worked as a consultant solicitor with Trowers Hamlins for 20 years, where he advised on all aspects of residential landlord and tenant law.  James held a number of academic positions in England and in the USA,

Owners, leaseholders or occupiers are understandably concerned if there is the potential for pets to cause damage or a nuisance to other tenants. And they often seek clarity around the implications, conditions or exceptions that are deemed acceptable.   Most residential leases will include some form of restriction for keeping pets, whether this be from a prescribed list of animals permitted, obtaining written consent or an absolute prohibition on keeping animals in the property at all. As well as possible

Fexco Property Services are delighted to welcome a new member to the Senior Management Team. Rob Chapman (LLB) joins the group as Head of Legal & Compliance, and brings over 20 years of experience as a qualified lawyer in both the commercial property and development sectors. Previously a partner in an established Bristol and London based firm, he aims to provide a full understanding of the changing legal environment surrounding the property management industry. Fexco Property Services is a group of specia

The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) has expressed a general welcome for leasehold manifesto commitments from Labour and the Conservatives ahead of the 2019 General Election.   In both the Conservative and Labour manifestos, both parties acknowledge the need to undertake reforms to leasehold law and practice. Both seem to agree that a ban on the sale of new leasehold houses should be implemented and that ground rents should be restricted to a peppercorn.   Mark Chick, ALEP Dir

Property management firm PM Legal Services has strengthened its team with three senior appointments following a period of growth for the company. Chloe Arnold has joined as a solicitor, current personal assistant Faye Sahman has been promoted to Head of Support and Jennifer Knibbs has started a training contract leading to qualification as a solicitor. Partner Cassandra Zanelli said: “I’m pleased to welcome Chloe to the team and announce Faye and Jennifer’s promotions. “I’m extremely proud to be able to i

MRI Software (“MRI”), a global leader in real estate software solutions, announced that it has acquired Multifamily Insurance Partners, a leader in resident insurance programs for the US multifamily rental market. The acquisition will enable property owners and operators to close insurance gaps and minimize loss by implementing resident insurance compliance programs for apartment renters. The new offering, MRI Multifamily Insurance, further streamlines the leasing and onboarding process for property owner