Featured Articles

Managing Agent, SDL Bigwood, is continuing to expand its team in the South East, with the appointment of a new regional operations manager. Gareth Brown has more than 30 years’ experience in residential property management and will oversee an eight-strong team from SDL Bigwood’s Southampton office. In his new role, Gareth will lead and support the team, coordinating the day-to-day management of the office. He will be tasked with building on SDL Bigwood’s extensive portfolio of managed properties throughou

QUESTION I have learnt that not sending a section twenty notice to leaseholders is a criminal offence.  I have read local authorities can prosecute but it’s only a fine. Who does the criminal prosecution? How can we enforce the use of the section twenty information about the works be given to leaseholders.  Is it the government ombudsman who can force them to disclose the information and our ability to put forward our contractors. ANSWER The question refers to Section 20 and leaseholders. Therefore, it is

JPC Law have expanded their property team with the addition of Gail Robinson, Eleanor Grindley and Jyoti Mistry.   Gail Robinson is a highly experienced enfranchisement specialist (formerly of Thackray Wood where she set up their enfranchisement department).  Since then Gail has worked mainly in central London handling non contentious leasehold enfranchisement and property based transactions.   Eleanor Grindley is an experienced property litigator joining JPC from Rollingsons.  Eleanor advises companies,

Kent based Managing Agent & Chartered Surveying practice AM Surveying & Block Management concluded their search for new office premises with the purchase of public house The Kentish Quarryman in Ditton, Aylesford in Kent.   It took just two months for the company to convert the property from closed down public house to high spec bespoke offices. Much had to be done from full stip out & refurb to arranging the formal Change of Use with the local council from drinking establishment (Use Class A4) to profess

QUESTION When I bought my property in 2010, I signed a lease and it contained share percentages. The landlord and estate management have changed since then. What is the procedure if the landlord wants to change proportioned contribution of leaseholder to the services? I have flagged it up with the managing agent and received a reply (see below), but I have not seen any formal documentation. With reference to the previous 2015, 2016 and now 2017 service charge, apportioned contribution was calculated usin

QUESTION What is the law regarding electrics testing for the common areas in a block of 15 flats, all of which have a share of the freehold? The managing board say it is now monthly and not annually. Is this correct? ANSWER The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 requires that every fixed electrical installation in a HMO is inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding 5 years by a person qualified to undertake such inspection and testing. However, ultimately the qua

QUESTION We are one of 6 units in a block. We have just received 2015 service charge accounts and the landlord has increased the contingency fund from £1000 per year to £1440 for the year of 2015. Is he allowed to do this or does it fall under section 20 landlord/tenants act? We had no notice at any stage until we saw it in the charges accounts? The freeholder also wants to charge us £3800 for accounting and bookkeeping. We think this is a huge amount. Previously we have been charged 1/6 of £1000. They ar

Earl Kendrick are delighted to announce that they have appointed Kim Tasso as a Non-Executive Director. Kim is the managing director of RedStarKim Ltd. She is an independent management consultant, specialising in the professional services and property sectors, with over 30 years’ experience.  She has been working with us on a consultancy basis and her credentials are outstanding. Kim has worked with a number of leading property firms, was formerly a columnist for property magazine Estates Gazette, and has

QUESTION Can you tell me if as a company we need to register for money laundering purposes if we act as company secretary for RMC’s? ANSWER Guidance provided by ARMA suggests: Acting as a company secretary falls within the definition of being a Trust or Company Services Provider which is a regulated activity for Money Laundering Regulation Purposes so would result in a property professional needing to register for money laundering purposes unless they meet all of the following conditions; ·         The p

Stuart Jackson, Associate Director at Macdonald & Company commented, "We are pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Williams to our expanding team in London. Daniel will be joining the residential team leading our expansion into site Estate Management and Site Staff. Daniel comes with an excellent track record previously heading up the residential recruitment team at The Property Recruitment Company.”

Grosvenor Systems, the team behind one of the UK’s leading property management systems, Propman, has launched a series of free seminars to help property managers embrace technology.  The ‘Introduction to property management software’ seminars taking place at 30 Euston Square in London, will demonstrate to property professionals how technology can transform time-consuming and complex processes.   Nic Dodwell, Managing Director of Grosvenor Systems, comments:    “As the role of property management is beco

Lots of properties now have Double Glazed Windows and Doors but a common problem is condensation and white marks between the two layers of glass of the sealed units. This is known as the units have “blown”, Failed”, “Misted”, “Broken Down” the reason for units let’s call it “misting” is due to the Sun, let me explain in plain English, the Sun comes out and the sealed unit gets very hot inside and expands, then the Sun goes in so the units becomes cooler and contracts, it’s like a continuing pumping of the