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At ARMA’s Annual Conference on Wednesday 18th October, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid announced plans for a fairer property management system to protect leaseholders from the small minority of rogue agents. As part of this new call for evidence, Government is seeking views on whether a regulatory overhaul is needed to improve the professionalism of the sector and to protect consumers from unfair costs and practices. Citing examples of rogue agents overcharging leaseholders he singled out ARMA members a

After the recent arrival of Colin Horton at McDowalls, the firm hasn't stopped there and has recently attracted more talent by the appointment of Alison Stone, former director of north London based Prickett and Ellis Surveyors to form part of its strengthening leasehold and enfranchisement team.   Chris Baker, Director of McDowalls commented: "I've known Alison for many years and she is a strong valuer with a deep knowledge of lease extension and enfranchisement work. She is a tough negotiator and by he

A person’s home is their castle and one which will be defended fearlessly. It therefore tends to follow that a homeowner will pretty much do anything to protect their home, and their rights to use and enjoy it, no matter what the cost. For example, boundary or right of way disputes between neighbours relating to residential properties normally involve two parties who will want to “win” at any cost, even if the intrinsic size or value of the land being argued about is relatively small. Unfortunately, this

A recent FtT case has put the spotlight on objectivity and a breakdown in communication.  To keep the team at myleasehold up to date with whys and the wherefores of the Tribunal world, we regularly download and review the latest decisions. One case that caught our attention is noteworthy not only for the pettiness of the dispute, but also how a lack of objectivity from one side and a breakdown in communication between the parties lead to a ‘slam dunk’ outcome for one. The case involved a flat in East Lond

In an industry first, North London-based broker 1st Sure Flats launches new flood insurance solution for blocks not covered by government-backed Flood Re scheme at the ARMA conference. With the incidence of flooding in the UK increasing year-on-year, anyone living in a high risk area relies on their home insurance policy to protect their most valuable asset should their home be damaged by flood water. The Flood Re Scheme, which went live in April 2016, is designed both to protect the insurance industry ag

Specialist property management company Rylands Associates have demonstrated their innovation in the sector by allowing clients and customers to pay for services using digital currency. Rylands Associates was started in 2012 by Chairman Grant Cooper, an experienced leasehold property specialist and now employs 60 staff in its Essex and central London offices. Grant said: “We could have waited for demand from customers and clients for payments via cryptocurrency however we like to stay one step ahead so we’

Issue 91 of News on the Block is now available to view online.  This issue includes some of the following articles:  The Hot 100 feature  Airbnb landlord faces attempted murder charge  What you need to know about recruitment  Airbnb: What are insurers thinking?  The Property Management Awards 2017 Please click here to view the digital edition.

We are delighted to announce that Matthew O’Sullivan BSc (Hons) FRICS MAPM has joined Keegans as Director and Head of our Private Residential Building surveying team. A Fellow of the RICS, and director, Matthew joins us from RLB and has over 18 years experience in delivering Building Surveying and Employers Agent services to a mixed portfolio including residential, education and commercial projects. Matthew is also a member of the Association of Project Managers. Keegans operate a building surveying team

McDowalls Surveyors are continuing to strengthen their valuation team. Having seen good rates of growth across the business, they are seeking new ways to continue to develop the firm. Since acquiring the business in 2011 McDowalls have almost doubled in size and now employ over 20 staff.  Chris Baker, Owner of McDowalls commented:  "I feel it’s the right time to split the valuation part of the business to better reflect the mix of business and clients that we now work for. " With this in mind Chris has

QUESTION May I ask what advice you would give to a prospective purchaser of a new house which is being sold as leasehold by the Developer? ANSWER There has recently been considerable adverse publicity about the residential leasehold system in consequence of the alleged mis-selling of leases of new-build houses by some Developers. Purchasers have not been made aware (or have not been properly advised) that a lease will often include provisions for payment to the landlord of an annual rent and also restric

QUESTION Is there a guideline suggesting the number of board members on our RTM general committee? At the moment we have 10.  We live in a Private Independent Living Retirement Apartment Complex, with 61 flats. ANSWER The Board of a Right to Manage will be set out in the Articles of Association and will vary from Block to Block my own view is that 6 is an ideal number for a role such as this which would usually be voluntary, there certainly needs to be minimum number for a quorum and this would usually be

QUESTION The 1993 Act on Leasehold Reform, quoted by the correspondent highlighted in one of your recent Ask NOTB emails about a request for a leasehold extension, was also referred to by one of our leaseholders earlier this year. Unlike your correspondent, we are shared freeholders. There are only four of us in our small company. This was formed by previous owners in 1987, but the original shared freeholders foolishly did not extend the leases. We are looking to extend them now - they all have less than