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HEALTH AND SAFETY is not the most invigorating or exciting subject, and more often than not this is because you have to really dig deep to find any relevance. If you heard that last year there were 1.2 million injuries suffered as a result of a working activity, you’d probably be taken aback at first, but it would instigate no action. There would be no change in your routine or adjustment of your management because there’s no contextual relevance. And why would it be relevant to you? There’s no machin

MANY facilities management companies ask themselves whether there is a better way to deliver their services - not only in a way that would benefit their clients, but also the environment. In fact, by adopting more eco-friendly processes you could find that not only your overall costs will fall but more importantly, efficiency can increase through improved quality and product optimisation. One way to approach this is to use sustainably sourced products for your service contracts. The versatility and

If ebenezer scrooge had been a surveyor rather than a banker, things would have been very different. First of all, it goes without saying that he would have been a much nicer person. But secondly, when the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future came to see him, he might have noticed something striking about the changing face of his profession, and the property business more generally. When the Ghost of Christmas Past showed Scrooge the Surveyor a vision of years gone by, that vision would have

If your block lighting looks tired or has stopped being a positive advertisement for your building, it’s definitely time for a change. Built-in obsolescence is a significant part of our lives. With LED lighting technology improving rapidly, lighting really is no different. If you’re sceptical, just imagine still trying to watch videos on a Betamax machine. Even five years ago is ancient history in the LED lighting world. You may manage a block fewer than five years old and imagine this doesn’t concern y

As most leaseholders are aware, the Leasehold Reform Acts enacted in 1967 and 1993 give them the right to extend their lease. Although the owners of Crown land (which, in this context, means the Crown Estate, the Duchy of Lancaster, the Duchy of Cornwall, a government department and a Minister in charge of that department) are not bound by these statutes (“the Acts”), the Crown authorities have given an undertaking to Parliament that they would agree to lease extensions under the same qualifications and t

QUESTION I have just bought the freehold interest of a block in which there is a RTM 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. Although I thought that

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 It’s assumed that the leaseholder is renting out the property so, as a landlord, they are responsible for the safety of their t

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 wrongly calculating the square footage of my flat. They are looking for three years’ backdated payment totaling around £1,300. Is this lawful? ANSWER Section 20B(1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 states that, “If any of the relevant costs taken into account in determining the amount of any service charge were incurred more than 18 months before a demand for pa

You cannot please all the people all the time! This is one of the truest statements I know. It is certainly true when you are dealing with a large population with the potential for differing views. Anyone who has worked in service, and anyone who has tried to lead in anything, knows this. Just think about your favourite team in whatever sport you care to choose. How many times do you  disagree with the manager or tactics? How many times do you hear an outcry on social media and in the press beca

Nearly one third (32%) of Property Managers see technology helping to improve efficiency in the role in years to come, according to research carried out by Brethertons Solicitors. When asked which systems had revolutionised their way of working, Property Managers cited a variety of answers with the most popular being smart phones or tablets, and an online portal proving that the property management industry is keeping up with an ever-increasing mobile world. Substantiating this trend, the proportion of h

Altrincham-based Fortis Developments builds and operates high-end student accommodation in key University cities under the Fortis Student Living brand and has several large-scale residential blocks under construction in Manchester with construction arm, Beaumont Morgan Developments. “I am very pleased to join such a dynamic and forward-thinking group to develop the long-term customer service function for their student accommodation investors and the buy-to-let investors of their residential projects,” s

Louie-Mae, who has extensive industry experience and knowledge, will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of Rhodium, the residence team and the running of all developments. “We are delighted to welcome Louie-Mae to Rhodium,” said Dean Main, the firm’s owner. “The experience and knowledge she brings, coupled with her ambitious attitude will certainly complement our dynamic team and assist with future strategies.”