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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

Simon Masters has moved from the Leasehold Advisory Service (Lease) to head the enfranchisement department of Finchley-based firm CG Naylor LLP. Masters worked at Lease for more than three years where he advised leaseholders, landlords and managers on all manner of leasehold related enquiries. “I am very excited to be taking the step back into private practice with a thorough knowledge of the relevant law and understanding of the issues faced by all those with an interest in residential long leasehold pr

Robert Denman has joined Liverpool property law firm JB Leitch as Head of Real Estate. An Enfranchisement and Right to Manage specialist, Denman joins the company following nine years at Goldsmith Williams, where he led the landlord empowerment team. He said: “I’m delighted to join the talented team at JB Leitch and I’m looking forward to continuing the growth of the real estate transaction arm of the firm.” Principal Solicitor Jonathan Leitch said: “Robert is an expert in his field and brings a wealth

Samantha Massey has joined Managed Living Partnerships Limited’s (MLP) senior management team as Associate Director. Among her duties, she will be responsible for business development. Massey has 20 years’ experience covering all aspects of the property management business, and in addition to her industry qualifications, she has a BSc and an MSc in Estate Management.