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To be wholly effective, a Resident Association needs to be formally recognised. There are an increasing number of cases whereby recognition has been granted but then the Association fails to continue to adhere to the conditions stipulated when formally recognised. Landlords and managing agents acting on the freeholders behalf generally encourage the formation of properly constituted and democratically run Associations. These are set up to represent the collective interests of the lessees either voluntari

In the case before the Court, a mansion block containing eight sub-blocks of 20 flats could enfranchise as “part of a building” even though each block could be further divided into groups of 10 flats.  Providing the proposed enfranchised “part of a building” is self-contained within the meaning of Section 3 of the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, the building qualifies for a freehold purchase by the leaseholders.

"Currently, squatters must only have gained access via an open door or window and not have forced their way into a property to be deemed a squatter," explains Elaine Dobson. "Justice Secretary Ken Clarke needs to be clearer; he suggests that those who 'force' their way into empty properties will face a prison sentence' if squatters rights are revoked. However, the squatters' bible ensures that any person considering squatting should not cause criminal damage when they gain entry. [extra:quotes:boxoutco

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Federation Chairman Bob Smytherman said: 'Lynne Featherstone's understanding of car clamping is depressingly naive. She naively thinks 'landowners' can just erect barriers, having no understanding that 'landowners' also includes leaseholders - in blocks of flats who could be forced to pay for the installation and management of barriers, and most likely the lease will not allow it. This will bring misery to a lot of people' The FPRA argues that the real problem is rogue car clampers, and the solution is t

“We are working towards each Head of Business taking complete ownership of their individual divisions and the business leadership training programme is already proving beneficial in that respect.” Explains Nick Sharp, Group Managing Director at Barbon. He continues: “In a relatively short period of time, it has highlighted areas that need further strengthening, including the fact that our Heads of Business are still too hands-on -perhaps due to a skills gap across middle management in some divisions. “

According to Homebuyer Online’s recent studies, a quarter of all purchasers will end up out of pocket to the tune of £1,000 because of their own misunderstanding relating to the Homebuyer Report, designed to highlight potential problems with their new property. Homebuyers are under the impression that a bank or building society mortgage valuation and a Homebuyer Report are one and the same. "This is simply not the case", says Homebuyer Online's managing director and surveyor Hugh Greenhouse. "A mortgage

Paul Shamplina, Founder of eviction specialists Landlord Action believes decisions such as this simply encourage others to use the human rights laws to avoid eviction. “I am astounded by this decision. Many will be asking the obvious question: what about the rights of the landlord? In recent months, we have presented many case studies where landlords are facing, or are close to facing, repossession of their rental property due to tenants falling behind on the rent” Mr Shamplina, who founded Landlord Act

Freeholders living on a private estate with obligations to pay service charges for the upkeep of common areas, do not enjoy the same protection as leaseholders even though they are paying for the same service and possibly even into the same fund. The Government has passed a number of Acts of Parliament giving rights and added protection to leaseholders of flats that pay service charges which do not apply to freeholders. Indeed there is even a different legal term for a freehold service charge: 'rent char

Interviewed exclusively for News on the Block, Rebecca Bridle said it is “business as usual” for the operating companies within the Peverel Group after all the holding companies in the Group were put into administration in March 2011. The Administration happened soon after Peverel’s high profile owner, Vincent Tchenguiz was arrested by the Serious Fraud Office.  Mr. Tchenguiz was released without charge by the SFO and the administration was not directly connected with Mr Tchenguiz's arrest.   What was

Housing minister Grant Shapps recently gave a written answer to Parliament, confirming the Government’s preference for self-regulation of residential managing agents.  Shapps was quizzed by MP’s John Pugh, Laura Sandys, and Justin Tomlinson.   In providing his answers, Mr. Shapps said, “It is important that landlords and managing agents as well as other businesses operate in a socially responsible manner....We have considered the issue of regulation in the leasehold management sector and believe that the

The High Court has today dismissed an application from Kaupthing Bank to strike out the claim by the Tchenguiz Family Trust for damages in excess of £1 billion from Kaupthing Bank in administration.  Mr. Justice Burton explained in his judgement that the English Court has jurisdiction to hear the claim, which is subject to English law, and there are reasons why the English Court should determine the substantive rights between the parties – including liability for damages.  Vincent Tchenguiz said that he