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The Upper Tribunal’s recent decision in the case of Merie Bin Mahfouz Company (UK) Ltd v Barrie House (Freehold) Ltd dealt principally with a freeholder’s entitlement to claim leasebacks of units within a building which were not in existence at the “Relevant Date” (being the date on which the Initial Notice was served) and which included common parts. The three units subject of the appeal and in relation to which the freeholder was seeking leasebacks were known as flat 1A, the basement office and the por

Royal assent has now been given to the Insurance Act 2015, which is due to come into effect in August 2016. This is to allow brokers and insurers ample time in which to update their paperwork and policies to facilitate the new measures. The act will affect all insurance and reinsurance placements and renewals. It will be possible to specifically contract out of the new act - but only if any terms less favourable to the insured than the terms of the act are drawn to the insured’s attention in clear and un

Everyone understands the importance of insuring buildings against the risk of damage or destruction by fire or flood. What is less well understood is the importance of an accurate assessment of what it would cost to restore or rebuild the building if the worst were actually to happen. An insurance policy will be of little help if it is based on an underestimate of that figure, and the Association of British Insurers advise that 20% of householders are in fact underinsured, while one study has put the fig

The most appropriate way to ensure a reinstatement value is correct is to commission a regulated surveyor to carry out a professional valuation at least every three to five years. An accurate and professional property valuation is vital to ensure the building would be fully covered for the costs of reinstatement should a claim be necessary. One of the most common discrepancies in insurance valuations is between the market value of the property and the reinstatement cost. Even in today’s economic climate

Selecting the insurance policy that suits you can be compared to buying a bottle of wine. Unless you have the appropriate experience you could easily buy a bottle that doesn’t suit your taste. And when you have opened the bottle it is too late. Buying insurance for your block is very similar but, instead of ruining your meal, the consequences are far greater when you make a claim and discover the insurance policy is not fit for purpose, affecting many flat-owners’ lives. So, how does a discerning purcha

Comparing the insurance market to this time last year, little has changed. The market remains competitive for well running ‘risks’ and competition between insurers remains strong. Most activity has actually resulted from the brokers themselves, with teams relocating and company acquisitions. Therefore, as opposed to focusing on predictions and potential legislative changes that could affect you in the future, let’s examine certain factors that may be impacting property managers currently. 1. Average  

I became non-executive chairman of leasehold advisory service (LEASE) on 1 January 2015 and the first three months have offered a steep learning curve to understand the requirements of leading a governmental arms-length body. I find myself sucked into issues and online comment, from specific matters to general queries. I am finding everything that I have said or written in the past is scrutinised and quoted back at me as some rallying call for what we should be doing going forward. The one thing I am ol

Where do you start with securing contributions? The first place to start is the lease: what does it say with regards to making demands? Are service charges to be demanded in arrears, in advance – or is it the leaseholders’ responsibility to carry out the work between them? Check the lease. Eg, if the lease says the service charge is to be demanded in arrears and is only payable once the works have been completed, you need to be absolutely clear as to who is responsible for the major works and how they w

Housing Associations have a major presence as leaseholders on many large, city-based developments. Well over £100m is paid by associations in service charges on these schemes to managing agents. A housing association, depending on your point of view, either has a proper long-term interest in the stock and its condition, or is hard to dislodge and seen as an entrenched and unresponsive interest group. Either way, housing associations are usually in the property for the long haul and at least consider the

From time to time you’ll have seen Anchor Door Systems vans either driving round London or on site and may wonder “hmm, interesting name, what do they do then…?” A few hours in the life of one of our chaps can help answer that one. “The office buzzes into life at 0800 and on a Monday everyone attends the latest Health and Safety briefing, be it new developments or reinforcing reminders. This morning there are no emergencies to attend to, so I collect the allocated job sheets and look carefully at what’s

Expanding managing agents, MLM have recruited two new members of staff ahead of a major office move. Rupy Jandu has joined as a Property Manager and Mahesh Kewal in their accounts department. The firm will be moving in May to a new larger head office in Premier House, Borehamwood.  The new office will accommodate the company’s expansion plans for the next 5-10 years and nearly doubles the current facilities in North Finchley. MD Michael Jacobs commented: “The next few months will be a very busy time at M

Developer and manager of rented homes, Essential Living appointed former Hamptons Managing Director Nick Underhill to its board. He will be closely involved across the development of the brand and business structure in creating the company’s lettings and revenue strategies. Underhill said: “I have total confidence in our strategy and importantly, I have the opportunity to influence the original designs of the homes we create rather than trying to adapt someone else’s buildings. The fact that nobody else