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A new edition of the RICS UK Residential Property Standards - the “Blue Book” - has been published. For the first time the Blue Book includes a section on property management to complement the RICS Residential Service Charge Code. This follows the recent launch of the RICS Residential Property Management qualification in June. The Blue Book, which has been developed in consultation with consumer groups and industry bodies, seeks to provide residential sales, letting and management professionals with bes

Following a recent spate of horrific fires in blocks of flats, a managing agent has called for greater powers to be given to property managers to take fire safety precautions. Danny Weil of managing agents, Parkgate Aspen, said: “At the moment, we have no control over the fire precautions in individual flats. As property managers, we should be allowed to install smoke alarms within the flats themselves and pay for them as a service charge item.  It takes time for the smoke from a flat fire to seep und

In a landmark case that will undoubtedly be a gamechanger for the property management industry, the Upper Tribunal has decided that managing agents must consider the financial impact of major works on lessees and whether to phase works so they become more affordable. The case (Garside & Anson v RFYC and Maunder Taylor) concerned proposed major works on the Frognal Estate near leafy Hampstead in London. Historically, the 54 unit building had not been properly maintained such that a scheme of major works

The UK’s digital television switchover is now in its final stages, with major TV regions such as Meridian and London set to switch by 2012.  Blocks of flats need to prepare for the switchover and Sky has developed a specialised Communal TV Solution which delivers digital satellite TV to each flat in a block from a single, discreet rooftop dish. Residents don’t need their own mini-dishes.  To help managing agents prepare for the switchover, Sky is offering subsidies of at least 50% on its Shared Dish solut

In the early hours of Wednesday morning a fire broke out in South Lodge, a block of flats in affluent St. John’s Wood, London managed by Parkgate Aspen.  Eight fire engines and over 40 firefighters attended the blaze, which took approximately 2 hours to get under control. [extra:quotes:boxoutcopy=1]   The London Fire Brigade explained that ten people, including two children, were rescued and approximately 150 people were evacuated from the building.  Two adults and two children had to be rescued by

A heated meeting has been held between distressed residents of Gibson Court and their managing agent, Peverel Retirement, following a recent fire which resulted in the tragic death of one resident.   Every property manager’s worst nightmare became stark reality on Friday 30th September 2011 when Gibson Court, located in Hinchley Wood, Surrey caught fire.  The building was subsequently gutted by the ensuing flames, killing one elderly resident. All of the residents (whose average age is in their mid-80

Delegates attending this year’s ARMA conference yet again heard calls for more professionalism in the property management industry, as a ‘new’ approach to self-regulation was outlined to members attending the annual trade conference.  Similar comments have been made at previous conferences. This time, Baronness Dianne Hayter of Kentish Town was tasked with delivering the keynote presentation. Baronnes Hayter, who had formerly chaired the now disbanded Property Standards Board, had been commissioned by AR

In March 2011, the holding companies of Britain’s largest residential managing agent, Peverel, went into administration (the legal process which aims to rescue an insolvent  business by allowing it to continue to trade rather than fall into liquidation).  Since then, Zolfo Cooper, the administrators appointed to find a buyer for the business have been working to secure its sale.  To date, no buyer has been publicly announced and an official spokesperson for the administrators has merely commented, “The sa

[extra:quotes:boxoutcopy=1] The 1993 act had a difficult passage through Parliament and, as a result,  there were a number of discrepancies.  Later legislation has dealt with some of these with varying degrees of success however, as a practitioner  specialising in this area, there are a few areas that have ‘holes’.   When asked the question “what would I change about the 1993 Act?” I was surprised at how minor the issues seemed when described, but how much easier they would make the process, if changed.

Letter to Editor: I was very surprised by the answer given by Eric Shapiro to the question raised over a defective forfeiture on bankruptcy clause. I have encountered this in practice and Eric`s answer is not correct. Section 57 ( 4) (c) provides that any new lease shall have excluded from its terms any provision which “ provides for the termination of the existing lease before its term date otherwise than in the event of a breach of its terms”. This wording will allow the removal of the defective for

Alexandre Boyes were awarded silver in the Best Single Lettings Office South East and shortlisted for the Best Block Management Office by the Times / Sunday Times Property Awards. The Judges Report stated: “This agency is well run, offering a wide ranging and appealing level of services.” Kate Boyes commented that ‘this is a particularly exciting recognition for our estate and block management discipline, a department in its infancy, with lots of exciting developments planned.’

The Institute of Residential Property Management is celebrating as Gemma Tracey (Marr-Johnson & Stevens) became the Institute’s 2,000th member. Anthony Essien, Chief Executive of LEASE said “the IRPM have played a major role in raising standards within the property management profession.  I congratulate them in achieving this significant membership milestone”. Landlords and Residents’ Management Companies are increasingly expecting their managing agents to demonstrate that they employ appropriately qual