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Deverell Smith is proud to be working in an exclusive partnership with Lodha Group Uk to hand select a world-class team for their new development Lincoln Square which opens in October this year. Top talent from the property and hospitality sectors has been identified and approached by Deverell Smith, whereupon the selected candidates have undergone a rigorous interview and assessment process. Deverell Smith has designed and developed a 4 stage bespoke assessment centre, in conjunction with Lodha, to test

Trials in respect of what is known as “ground G” under s 30(1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 are extremely rare. Ground G permits a landlord to oppose the grant of a new lease of commercial premises when they intend to occupy the premises as their home and for the purposes of a business.  Steven Ross has, however, recently acted in two cases where the landlords of commercial premises have successfully obtained orders refusing their tenants a new lease under ground G. Curiously, both cases had simila

A property manager is facing jail after admitted embezzling almost £37,000 from a student accommodation company. Joanne Black organised payments from students looking for rented flats in Edinburgh when she was employed by Ziggurat Student Living. But instead of processing payments, the 30-year-old put tens of thousands of pounds into her own bank account over a 12-month period. She set up monthly direct debits from the students and took £6,125 from one foreign visitor in deposits and rent payments. Black,

We’ve all heard the proverb ‘The grass is always greener on the other side’. During the summer of 2018, both sides have been as dry as a bone and ‘rain dancing’ has become a common search term on Google. You might think it is odd for a block management recruiter to encourage property managers to persevere and to make the most of where they are. And that is against a backdrop of a lack of quality candidates searching for new challenges. Let me explain. When companies are growing fast and there are plenty o

FlatGuard are delighted to announce that Dan Welsh has joined their London Team. Dan has extensive experience in blocks of flats insurance, having previously worked for Residents Insurance Services as their sales and relationship manager. Dan was responsible for developing and nurturing client relationships by providing residential managing agents with a technical, pro-active and personal service. Dan felt that “FlatGuard was a natural home as we share the same client centric, dynamic and entrepreneurial

QUESTION I have an enquiry on lease extensions and variation, on which guidance would be more than welcome. Our block of 114 flats is owned by the leaseholders via a company which holds both the freehold and the head lease. A second leaseholder company, an RTMC, appoints the Managing Agents. When we acquired the head lease some years ago, one of the objectives was to extend the underleases. However there was no urgency as there is still 120 years approx left. The under leases expire at the same time as t

Urgent action is needed to ensure the safety of residents in high rise apartments, a committee of MPs has demanded. And the Housing, Communities and Local Government has called for an expansion to the proposed ban on combustible cladding as well as ordering the government to tackle conflicts of interests in the building industry. A report from the MPs says that Whitehall’s plan to ban the use of materials which are not of limited combustibility in new high rise buildings must also apply to existing buildi

There are hard-hitting truths lurking behind the attractions and incentives of photovoltaic panel installation. At first, installation seems laden with sunshine – literally and metaphorically.  Income can be generated through free electricity with a chance to sell excess supply to the grid. The panels are environmentally friendly.  The government even subsidises the installation tax-free. But there are implications.   Installing panels on a residential block will often require planning permission.  This m

A property manager who failed to fit smoke alarms to a rented house where two toddlers died in a fire has been jailed for 12 months.   In a landmark case, Kamal Bains was told that not installing smoke detectors to the property was a “significant cause” of the deaths of three-year-old Logan Taylor and Jake Casey, two.   Leeds Crown Court heard that the boys died in a fire caused by an electrical fault in a TV in their bedroom on 20 February 2016. Their mother, Emma Taylor, had tried to rescue her children

Clive Scrivener BSc (Hons) MRICS answers 10 questions you might be afraid to ask… Q1: What work is notifiable under the Party Wall etc Act 1996? While all these works must have all relevant planning and building regulations approvals before they may proceed, the absence of these consents at the time a party wall award is made is not essential to the award being made but it is advisable to obtain the ‘consents’ first: Creating a typical loft extension. Removal of chimney breasts. Excavations for a side

Detectives investigating the Grenfell Tower fire have carried out three interviews under caution over potential offences related to the disaster – including manslaughter. The interviews have taken place since late June but were only confirmed yesterday (July 19) by Scotland Yard. Possible charges being considered include gross negligence manslaughter, corporate manslaughter and breaches of the Health and Safety Act. A spokesperson said in a statement: “The police investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire

Young Leasehold Professionals and Block Recruit have introduced a wonderful range of speakers discussing subjects that will inspire the future of the leasehold industry. Date & Time: 16 Aug, 13:00 – 17:00 Venue: De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, 61-65 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5DA, UK Inspiration Day will be an afternoon of talks aimed to inspire you to change the way you think, the way you work and the way you approach problems. The purpose is to encourage thought, encourage people to look at things in a