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The foyer of Nell Gwynn House in Chelsea, London which has been refurbished at a cost of £125,000. Designer Tim Gosling, instructed by managing agents Crabtree, highlighted the art deco heritage of the 430-unit building, which in London is only matched by The Connaught and Claridges Hotels. Ben Hopkinson of local estate agents, Moretons, said: “Nell Gwynn House is an important building in Chelsea and it’s important to keep in good order, by doing that it will remain popular and stay a premiere residence i

The Government has introduced into law an outright ban on clamping cars on private land. The legislation has been passed in the new Protection of Freedom Act. In response, the Federation of Private Residents’ Associations (FPRA) which represents flat owners in England and Wales has accused Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone MP of ignoring flat owners and tenants. Bob Smytherman, FPRA Chairman explained that they had unsuccessfully lobbied the Home Office because: 1. Residents and leaseholders o

Midway Insurance Services is throwing down the challenge to other insurance brokers to up their game in the blocks of flats market with the launch of their updated flats product “Ultimate Flat Owners”, which is underwritten by Aviva. Paul Robertson, Managing Director explains that the buildings insurance market for blocks of flats is one of the few remaining markets that fails to offer its end customers competitive choice. So, he is challenging brokers to up their game in three areas: 1. To improve the

Most residents of blocks of flats may expect to find some junk mail leaflets mixed up with their post - a few local pizza companies, or a taxi firm perhaps. However, it is not everyday that a leaflet from the Ministry of Defence turns up explaining that a missile battery is going to be placed on the roof of the building where you live. However, that is what happened at Bow Quarter where the Ministry of Defence have installed a missile battery for two months to protect the Olympics - much to the chagrin of

If you are a flat owner wondering why your service charges are too high, the service from your managing agent is lacking, or why you are in despair at what you can do about it, now you know. It’s your own fault. Or at least that’s what you may think if you paid attention to the comments from the Government in a recent House of Lord’s debate. The debate concerned service charges and other matters relating to residential blocks of flats. It was the first time for many years that issues affecting over 3

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The winners of the Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards 2012 (the ERMAs) were revealed at a glittering award ceremony held at The Congress Centre and hosted by celebrity, Dominic Holland on Thursday May 24th 2012. We received a huge amount of entries for this year's Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards, demonstrating the dedication and passion (and competitive nature!) of those working in the industry. During a gruelling session, the independent judging panel compared notes, having individual

News on the Block catches up with the new Head of Sky Communal TV, Brendan Hegarty.     NOTB : With the digital switch over (DSO) now almost complete, what has been  the take-up of communal systems in blocks of flats?   B: Obviously DSO has been very good for us, and the industry over the past year or two. To be honest our view is to look at what comes next.  With the industry people I speak with, there seems to be a certain doom and gloom about what is coming after DSO. We take a very different

The Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards 2012 (the ERMAs) recognises the excellence and professionalism of all specialists working in this industry both at an individual and company level. The awards will be presented at a ceremony in Central London on May 24th 2012. We received a huge amount of entries for this year's Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards, demonstrating the dedication and passion (and competitive nature!) of those working in the industry. During a gruelling session, the indep

The Government has introduced into law an outright ban on clamping cars on private land. The legislation has been passed in the new Protection of Freedom Act.     In response, the Federation of Private Residents' Associations (FPRA) which represents flat owners in England and Wales has accused Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone MP of ignoring flat owners and tenants.   Bob Smytherman, FPRA Chairman explained that they had unsuccessfully lobbied the Home Office because:   “1. Residents and

If you are a flat owner wondering why your service charges are too high, the service from your managing agent is lacking, or why you are in despair at what you can do about it, now you know.  It’s your own fault.  Or at least that’s what you may think if you paid attention to the comments from the Government in a recent House of Lord’s debate.   The House of Lords debate concerned service charges and other matters relating to residential blocks of flats. It was the first time for many years that issue

Consort Property Management, has launched a series of fire safety events at its Plough Lane development in Wimbledon.   Plough Lane residents will benefit from advice from the Home Safety team at Wimbledon Fire Station and 360 homes have already been visited since the service launched. The service, run in conjunction with Wimbledon Fire Station, Merton council and the Metropolitan Police, will see all 588 homes offered advice on topics such as kitchen safety and escape route tips as well as being give