Featured Articles

The British public’s attitude to renting property has evolved, as 62 per cent view renting as a long-term living plan. Yet private rental prices paid by tenants inBritain are predicted to rise, having increased by 4.9 per cent in the last 12 months. As people choose to invest long term in rented accommodation, and prices continue to climb, it is no surprise that tenants are expecting a higher standard of living. This puts pressure on property management companies to maintain their properties and fix any p

Landlords are obliged to provide certain information to leaseholders upon request.  As most readers will know, service charge and ground rent demands must also contain specific information.  Additionally, there is a prescribed summary of rights and obligations which must accompany demands for both service charges and administration charges.    The vast majority of leases will provide very few, if any, rights to information about the landlord or management parties to the lease.  The statutory rights entitl

​The MediOliver Foundation need your shoes to help smash the Guinness world record for the largest shoe mosaic.  We are very happy to to support the MediOliver Foundation, who was also one of the nominated charities at The Property Management Awards 2016. The foundation was set up in honour of Medi Oliver Mehra whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 11. Medi’s mother, Mary-Anne Bowring of Ringley’s started the foundation which focuses on projects that bring opportunities to children through edu

QUESTION We have a leasehold property which is a house above an under croft (it is a tunnel and an area for parking). There are four houses (two either side of the leasehold properties) three of which are freehold and one a tenancy. The houses and flat all have access through the tunnel to parking at the rear. We and the owners really want them to take over management or buy the freehold but are unsure if this can be done under the Leasehold Reform Act (RTM or enfranchisement). If not how else can it be

QUESTION Under the tenants’ rights and obligations I have the right to see the records and invoices etc. which relate to my property. Does this include the bank statements which relate to the managing agent. ANSWER You are correct that you are entitled to see all of the details regarding the service charge including, accounts, invoices and statements. That said, it is only the details for your development that you have a right to see. Service charge money paid by leaseholders is trust money and should be

The property management event of 2016 is Property Management Unwrapped, organised by Brethertons Solicitors LLP.   If you haven’t attended before, block out the 24 - 25 June in your diary now.  The event is being hosted at the stunning Grade I listed Royal Holloway in Egham and attracts some of the best speakers in the property industry. If you like conferences that mix the latest in property news and information, with a relaxed social atmosphere including a gala dinner (and a few surprises) book your pla

Specialist property law firm Brady Solicitors has added a Head of Real Estate Development to its growing team, further strengthening the firm’s offering to the block management and residential property sector.   Julie Carr joins Brady Solicitors from DWF in Leeds, where she was a Partner and Head of Residential Development.   Commenting on the appointment Clare Brady, MD of Brady Solicitors, said: “Julie’s appointment is a real coup for Bradys. She is exceptionally well-regarded in the industry and has

Qube Global Software have launched their new series of 6 free online webinars, tackling key issues throughout all areas of the property industry. Each webinar will also offer sneak peeks of their award winning property management systems, as used by the likes of First Port, Grainger and Harrods Estates.   Residential Block Managers: How to deliver better service to leaseholders and stay on top of your property management challenges 17 June 2016 Discover how software can tackle the unique challenges faced

Indicating the direction in which the British property market is travelling, a new trade association for the apartment industry has been launched. The UK Apartment Association (UKAA), aims to spearhead the professionalisation of the residential rental sector by differentiating the build to rent, multi-family housing market from the amateur ad hoc rental service provided by small-scale landlords that currently make up the bulk of rental properties in the UK. With more than nine million renters in the UK an

Picture the scene – a new development is ready for sale and one of the first prospective buyers turns up in the evening to view.  It’s an impressive sight; everything is brand new and the areas around the common walkways and drive glitter with lights, bathing everything in a comforting and reassuring glow.   A well-appointed block of flats has been completed and is ready for new residents. But come back a year later, and things are very different.  Many of the lights have stopped working, giving the outsi

QUESTION I am in the process of applying for a lease extension. The lease I have was the one I was given when I purchased the property in 2005. The head lessee wrote to me last week informing me that the lease was altered in 1998 and informing me that the ground rent was increased from £25 to £125 and enclosing a bill for £700. The letter states that this alteration took place 'amongst other things' but is not specific about what these things are. The same head lessee has been sending me bills for £25 ann

QUESTION I live in a block of 28 retirement flats which are all owner occupied and of course leasehold. In addition we are all shareholders in the Housing Association which owns the building and land on a leasehold basis and whose sole business is the ownership of this building. We appoint a Managing Agent (also a housing association) to manage the building. I assume, even under our own unusual ownership structure, that section 20 applies even though the Landlord (us collectively) is giving us (individua