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Saga Home Insurance has released a list of the most out-of-the-ordinary and noteworthy claims they have received. They include a customer’s house in Co. Durham being hit by lightning during a storm in July 2015, causing damage to the rendering on the gable. Meanwhile a couple who kept bird seeds in plastic containers in their garage got a shock when the containers spontaneously combusted causing £36,000 worth of damage to the outbuilding itself and its contents. One policyholder was having her cavity wall

Qube Global Software has developed a unified management tool for the Private Rented Sector. PRS developers will be able to run their entire property operations - from attracting tenants and processing tenancies to long term maintenance and financial management of their schemes - on a software solution, from one provider. John Cuppello, Chief Executive of Qube Global Software, said: “A large proportion of leading commercial and residential property investors are adopting the PRS model. We’ve responded quic

Government proposals to introduce property tribunal fees are causing serious concern within the leasehold sector. The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has held a consultation into new or increased fees in a range of court and tribunal proceedings. These include the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), where it is proposed applicants will pay £100 to issue proceedings and £200 for their matter to be listed for a hearing. Leasehold enfranchisement and valuation cases, however, would be subject to fees of £400 t

When was the last time you had experience from a Concierge service? Was it in a hotel, a residential block of flats or at work? How often have you been greeted in the polite manner of an opening and welcoming question, such as ‘How may I help you?’ In my opinion, such welcomes do not happen often enough. Also, I often experience Concierge service that is way below my expectations – for example, Concierge not standing up when greeting anyone at the Reception desk, Concierge not offering assistance in carry

Every year more blocks appear on the skyline. Apartment living is the future for many, especially Londoners, and the quality of design has lead to some really exciting living spaces. However, isn’t it time to overhaul both strategies and attitudes towards block lighting. It may sound like a minor aspect, in the architectural game plan, until something goes wrong, then block managers have to deal with the consequences. Time and again poorly specified fittings and controls installed by developers fail far t

QUESTION I have just bought the freehold interest of a block in which there is a Right to Manage company which was formed about 18 months ago because of problems with the former freeholder.  As the new freeholder, I have written to the Board of the RTM company requesting membership of the RTM company.  I have also sent each of the flat owners ‘lessee information forms’ – asking for their contact details and the details of their tenants / managing agents etc. if they are not resident in the flat.  Althoug

QUESTION We are a management company. Can you please tell me if there is a Summons that we can use when a private Leaseholder is late, sometimes months, in not getting their annual gas boiler serviced by a Gas Safety registered Engineer? It is so frustrating to keep chasing wayward leaseholders who are in the minority. 90% of residents provide without any prompting.​ ANSWER In answering your question, it's assumed that the leaseholder is renting out the property so, as a landlord, they are responsible fo

QUESTION News on the Block recently carried an item concerning legislation expected to take effect in October concerning new alarms legislation. Landlords were to be required to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties. Can you advise whether this is now law or when this will come into effect? ANSWER Landlords must comply with new Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations on 1 October The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 come into force on 1st Octobe

QUESTION I am a property owner and have just had notice from my property management company that they have been undercharging me due to them calculating the square footage of my flat. They are looking for 3 years backdated payment totalling around £1300. Please can you advise if this is lawful as backdating something this far as well as being their error does not seem correct? Please help. Thanks   ANSWER Section 20B(1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 states that, “If any of the relevant costs taken

QUESTION We bought the freehold ground rent at auction in August 2015.  The lessees have a right to manage company. The previous freeholder has been taken to the Tribunal by the RTM company three times and the determination required the previous freeholder to pay the RTM company just under £5k. This amount has not been paid. Are we liable and what contribution can we seek from the previous freeholder? ANSWER We are happy to provide our initial advice in relation to this matter. There are a few points th

QUESTION I would be most grateful for your advice regarding the ground rent that has not been collected since we set up our Right to Manage Company (RTM).  We are very happy with the managing agents we appointed in 2011 but there has been a problem with the collection of the ground rent since that time, and it remains uncollected. The ground rent (£200 pa) was previously collected by the managing agents appointed by the developer in 2001.  We asked the new managing agents to take over the collection of t

QUESTION To what extent are directors of an RTM company (with joint freeholder status and fiduciary/ duty of care obligations) be liable for ensuring that their formal duties are indeed carried out fairly, properly and in the best interests of the company as a whole, and not readily abused by colluding managing agents, solicitors etc.. Has this basic principle been tested within any civil framework that may prevail and, if so, could you please refer to precedents that may apply in this connection? The iss