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Residential managing agents are to be independently regulated for the first time under a new regime launched by the Association of Residential Managing Agents. The new regime, known as ARMA-Q, aims to raise standards for leaseholders and includes commitment to a new consumer charter and industry standards for ARMA agents. Compliance with the standards and charter will be overseen by an independent regulatory panel led by former housing minister Keith Hill. ARMA-Q was launched on 15th May at a special ev

The Leasehold Tribunal (LVT) has now become the First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice. Siobhan McGrath, who was the Senior President of the Residential Property Tribunal Service since December 2000, is the President of the new Property Chamber. The new Property Chamber brings together Rent Assessment Committees, Leasehold Valuation Tribunals, Residential Property Tribunals, Rent Tribunals, Agricultural Land Tribunals and the jurisdiction of the Adjudicato

The ALEP Autumn Conference, held in partnership with Kerry London and supported by News on the Block, is taking place on Tuesday 22 October 2013 at The Royal College of Surgeons, 35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE. The event will be hosted by ALEP’s Honorary President, Damian Greenish of Pemberton Greenish LLP. ALEP is committed to promoting excellence within the enfranchisement sector. This conference will explore the challenges of appearing at tribunals, including first-hand insight from Her H

The Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards 2013 (the ERMAs), is now firmly established in the industry calendar for recognising professional excellence in leasehold reform work. This was not only the 5th year of the ERMA’s, but also 20 years since the enactment of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 which has had a huge influence on this area of practice. The awards were presented by Dominic Holland at a glittering ceremony in London on June 6th 2013.   Click here to see a

At a glittering ceremony at Quaglino's in swanky Mayfair, the 5th set of ERMAs were staged and hosted earlier this month for the 4th time by Dominic Holland, our almost resident comedian and raconteur. Dominic is not only familiar to guests at the Enfranchisement & Right to Manage Awards but also to those lucky enough to attend the Property Management Awards.   Congratulations go to all the winners, highly commended and all of those nominated and in attendance. The evening was a great success and testame

60% of flat owners want the management of residential blocks of flats independently regulated according to a recent leaseholder survey. The finding indicates that the flat owners want more protection than is currently offered in the marketplace. Existing protections for leaseholders are limited and varied.  Although trade association, ARMA is introducing its own regulatory regime called ARMA-Q, it will not be compulsory for all managing agents to join.  ARMA and other industry bodies such as the RICS and

Chris March  has been appointed to the new role of Chief Executive Officer at Property Manager Braemar Estates, the specialist property management division of AIM listed, Brooks Macdonald Group. Chris will work closely with fellow Directors, along with the existing 45 team members, to help consolidate Braemar Estates’ position as a leading property manager. Braemar currently manages £1bn of assets, some of the UK’s most iconic residential properties including Cathedral Group’s award winning Clapham One,

Two of the country’s longest established surveying practices have merged parts of their business. The commercial and residential property management business of George Trollope, established in 1778, has joined Stiles Harold Williams, whose roots go back to 1798. Chris Watkinson, Partner, and Justin Dyer, Associate, have joined SHW’s Property Management Division, based in St James’s, SW1, reporting to Niall McGuinness, SHW Partner. David Hadden, Head of SHW’s Property Management Division, said: “I am ple

Legislation was introduced in Scotland by Private Members Bill, against a background of complaints received by Members of the Scottish Parliament, and a report published by the Office of Fair Trading in 2009 suggesting that a significant proportion of customers interviewed were dissatisfied with some aspect of their factoring services. The Bill gained cross party support, and the Property Factors (Scotland) Act was passed into legislation in the spring of 2011. The Act had a commencement date of 1 October

Under s.20B of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985; if any of the costs taken into account in determining the amount of a residential service charge were incurred more than 18 months before the demand for payment is served on a leaseholder; that leaseholder shall not be liable to contribute towards those costs. That sanction does not apply if, within the period of 18 months, the leaseholder was notified in writing that costs had been incurred and that they would subsequently be required to contribute toward

For the first time ever, the most influential people in the residential leasehold property sector are identified.  The list contains a mix of leasehold campaigners, Parliamentarians, trade and professional bodies, managing agents, building owners, investors, developers, valuers, and lawyers amongst others.   Entries have been gathered subjectively according to our knowledge and experience of the industry and are arranged in alphabetical order by name.   Richard Stephenson General Manager, Asset Managem

For the first time ever, the most influential people in the residential leasehold property sector are identified.  The list contains a mix of leasehold campaigners, Parliamentarians, trade and professional bodies, managing agents, building owners, investors, developers, valuers, and lawyers amongst others.   Entries have been gathered subjectively according to our knowledge and experience of the industry and are arranged in alphabetical order by name.   Neil Roberts Managing Director Braemar Estates N