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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

Specialist service charge and ground rent recovery solicitors, J B Leitch LLP has celebrated the opening of their new office in Liverpool City Centre. The firm recently purchased an additional 3,000 sq ft of lower ground floor office space on Kent Street, close to their existing offices in the Ropewalks district of Liverpool. Jonathan Leitch, managing partner of the firm said: “On top of the £250,000 investment in the refurbishment, we are also planning a further IT investment to ensure our IT infrastr

ONE of the North West’s largest independent corporate insurance brokers, Bridge Insurance Brokers Limited, has announced the launch of a London office. Well established as a national and international broker and risk adviser, Bridge is capitalising on 40 years of success in the industry. The Award winning firm have recently designed an exclusive and specialist insurance facility for blocks of flats, called FlatGuard. FlatGuard provides an all round insurance solution incorporating wide-ranging bespoke

The FPRA and The Leasehold Advisory Service teamed up for a Leaseholder Residents Rights Workshop organised and chaired by local Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy. Stella Creasy said: ‘Over the course of the last few months a number of subjects relating to leases have been raised with me by local residents. These include increases in Service Charges, the poor performance of management companies, the requirement to take insurance cover with the management companies preferred insurer, and most recently increas