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Students from the Glasgow School of Arts have won a national competition to design a new personal alarm for the elderly and vulnerable. For the challenge, created and sponsored by Chubb Fire & Security, they had to consult existing personal alarm users, before designing an alarm in the form of a pendant, worn around the neck or wrist.

The controversial decision in Phillips v Francis, which was due to be heard by the Court of Appeal on 14-15 May 2014, has been adjourned. It will now take place from 13-15 October 2014, following intervention by the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government. It has been reported that solicitor Charles Knapper representing the chalet owners, had deliberately misled the court by not revealing the existence of key documents that could have affected the outcome of the case. Phillips v Francis  in

A company director responsible for managing the finances of a block of flats has been jailed for defrauding his neighbours of more than £1 million. Brian Copsey, 60, of Marville Road, Fulham was found guilty of fraud by abuse of position and was jailed for eight years at Southwark Crown Court on April 15. He was also disqualified from being a company director for 12 years. The residents of Bryanston Court in Westminster set up two companies which collected and managed tenants’ money from service charg

Cash-strapped lessees are putting off essential maintenance works on their properties and risk creating a maintenance time bomb. Almost a 1/3 of property managers have been asked by lessees to delay essential repairs in the past 12 months as they struggle to make ends meet. This means a backlog of jobs that could be turning from simple tasks, fixed quickly for small amounts, into major repairs costing tens of thousands of pounds. Worryingly, at a time when every penny counts, many of those spending cash

QUESTION I am a leaseholder within a multi-occupancy block. Three of us are leaseholders whilst the other 4 are tenants. One of the tenants has a lot of visitors, who collectively can occupy up to 6 car spaces at a time. We have free parking at the back of our building which also attracts non-residential visitors, one of which has been seen parked at the back for days at a time. Leaseholders and residents are often forced to park on the main road. Our building secretary has been advised by the freehold

Livingcity Asset Management Limited - the leading property and asset management firm – is celebrating after its application for ARMA-Q accreditation was approved by ARMA's Council on 8th May 2014.  ARMA-Q, which will become fully operational in January 2015, will only be awarded to companies that meet the best industry standards and levels of customer care. It will offer the greatest quality assurance to both current and potential clients of accredited firms and it will give a competitive edge. ARMA-Q i

QUESTION We are the owner of ​a flat since 2004 ​. For all th​e years since we lived there, when we required any maintenance we never get it.​ Can you please advise us what to do​?​ N.B: I read ​that directors cannot be over 70, our 2 directors they are over 70. ​ Is this right?​ RESPONSE Thank you for your enquiry. In respect of the perceived lack of maintenance issue you may have a couple of options. The first would be to commence proceedings against the landlord for breach of its obligations under

Four of Farrar Property Management's finest and fittest property managers - Laurence Davies, Alex Chapman, Luke O’Connell and Andrew Taylor have been battling it out against other teams of golfers at Bush Hill Park Golf Course, in north London. They are raising money for Age UK Enfield, a charity which inspires, enables and supports older people to help them make the most of later life. Let’s hope the rivalry on the course doesn’t drive a wedge between participants – it’s all for a great cause!

News on the Block are proud to announce the winners of The Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards 2014 (the ERMAS). The winners were announced on Thursday 22nd May 2014 at an awards ceremony and dinner at The Underglobe in London.  The Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards 2014 have become an important calendar event within the industry recognising professional excellence in leasehold reform work. News on the Block are in their 6th year of hosting the awards and are dedicated to acknowledging an

QUESTION  Do you have any help to offer on the subject of Reserve Fund for major works? The problem is the compensation protection for individual Stakeholders of such funding under FSCS regs. I am seriously concerned that there are serious security ramifications where a reserve fund is built up for major works as opposed to a levy as and when those works are authorised by properly constituted consultation under s.20. I am also concerned by abuse of power by Directors who extend the period of appointment

In the years following the debt crisis, the grant regime for funding the building of new social homes was drastically changed and more importantly, reduced. Yet one social housing provider has ensured a successful, growing portfolio by relying on a new business model founded on three principles. Look to the private sector: Consider ways in which private investment could help to fund regeneration and build new housing. An example of this is Swan Housing Association, which set up a new private company, He

In less than two months’ time, tenants seeking to extend their lease, or to collectively claim the freehold of a building, will no longer have to personally sign the Notice of Claim or Initial Notice - but only in England. The Leasehold Reform (Amendment) Act 2014 received Royal Assent on 13 March 2014 and will come into force on 13 May 2014. The Act will not apply to property in Wales unless, or until, the Welsh Assembly introduces its own legislation. At a mere 41 words, it is one of the shortest acts