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Nearly one third (32%) of Property Managers see technology helping to improving 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

We are pleased to announce that after an open tender, MLM have been selected by the St James Group and the Residents Committee to manage The Silkworks, a large mixed use development located in Lewisham, South East London. The property comprises 464 units with a mixed commercial base, underground car park, 24 hour concierge, on site gym and a complex communal heating system. MD, Michael Jacobs comments, “this development cements our growing presence in the South London market and allows us to showcase our

Post Boxes UK, supplier of letterbox and mailbox systems for apartments, has successfully introduced a range of secure, anti theft mailboxes within the last 18 months to the UK market. In response to growing demand from residents associations and managing agents, the company has expanded its range of horizontal and vertical letterboxes to include more robust and heavy duty units aimed at preventing mail theft and identity theft. Charles Riley, Post Boxes UK's MD comments, "Over the last few years, w

ALEP Autumn Conference is judged the Association’s best yet by delegates. ALEP’s Autumn Conference 2015 took place on Tuesday 20 October at the Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park. Hosted by ALEP’s Honorary President, Damian Greenish, the conference was attended by over 260 delegates. Delegates enjoyed lunch and networking after which Alex Greenslade of Leasehold Solutions, and ALEP’s founder and Honorary Secretary, gave a colourful presentation on non-participant funding in collective enfran

Many leaseholders are unhappy with the management of their block, but too few understand the solutions that are available to them. Leaseholders find themselves at their wits end, believing there is no option bar withholding their service charges, and then get caught up in debt recovery action. But there is another way. Section 21 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 allows leaseholders to apply to the tribunal for the Appointment of a Manager. This is a little-used mechanism, which provides a remedy fo

At some point in the near future nearly two million housing association tenants will get the Right to Buy or some version of it that enables them to buy their house or flat or one quite like it. Ignoring the rights or wrongs of the policy, or the financial or political implications for HAs and LAs, what are the management implications? Firstly, there is likely to be a flood of applications when the policy comes in unless it is clearly rationed. Twenty-five per cent of all council housing has been so

Cledor is a specialist in providing facilities management services to the UK property industry. Offering tailor-made services to a variety of clients from large commercial/residential properties that require large-scale operational excellence to smaller residential buildings is what Cledor does best. Essentially, Cledor offers residential concierge, porter, security, cleaning, gardening, caretaker, head concierge, building manager, estate manager, reception security, and more. All recruitment of any n

Have you noticed how many more doors now automatically open as you approach them? They used to be confined to airports and stations, areas where you could be lugging heavy baggage and struggling to open the door. Then many commercial properties started to install them, and now automatic doors in shops and offices are common place. In residential blocks, automatic doors are now frequently installed, often when an upgraded security requirement means that the main entrance door is quite heavy and laden wit

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