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Simon Tye explains the complexities in collecting ground rent Since 28th February 2005 any demand for ground rent by a freeholder, or their managing agents, must be made in a “prescribed form” as set out in Section s.166 of the Commonhold & Leasehold Reform Act 2002. If the ground rent is not demanded in this prescribed form, and completed in accordance with section 166, the tenant (leaseholder) is not liable to make payment unless, and until, it is properly demanded. The form of rent demand notice

Howard Morgan explains why surveying residents can be good for business The UK’s largest block management specialists are jockeying to build their reputations and become the “manager of choice” in the eyes of leaseholders and developers. Increasingly leaseholders are being seen as “customers”. But are UK managers measuring satisfaction and using the results to enhance their own brand and that of the projects they manage? The picture is mixed – most block managers are not in the habit of surveying resi

News on the Block interviews Bob Smytherman, Chairman of the Federation of Private Residents Associations as they celebrate their 40th year. NOTB: How did you get involved with the FPRA? BS: When taking over from the previous management regime in my block the RMC Directors at that time looked for a variety of sources of independent advice to assist us with our new expanded roles and came across the FPRA and realized that membership was essential to deal with the variety of challenges we were likely to

Many years ago, when a residential block of flats needed major works carried out the leaseholders were at the behest of the managing agent or landlord. Without any statutory controls, large sums of leaseholders’ money could be spent without taking any consultation from the flat owners who would be directly paying. This status quo was open to abuse. Thankfully, due to legislative changes, nowadays the situation is vastly different. However, has the pendulum swung too far such that it is now placing a stran

QUESTION I am a leaseholder of a ground floor apartment, which is managed by a reputable company and has a residents’ association.  I am experiencing unacceptable, high volumes of noise from the residents who live above me, emanating from the installation of wooden floors.  This is prohibited and specifically outlined in the lease agreement.  I would be grateful for your advice as to whom is responsible for the enforcement of the conditions within the lease agreement. Thank you in advance.  Richard

Recovery of unreasonable service charges pursuant to the Limitation Act 1980, it is an aspect of leasehold management that has wide implications for the individual lessee and for the landlord, yet I believe it has eluded most leaseholders, and it is one that I think few landlords wish to acknowledge, let alone observe, if they can possibly avoid it. Our attention was drawn to it following an LVT Determination covering 9 years of overpaid rents on the House Manager’s apartment, but the landlord decided t

QUESTION In an enfranchisement process, Solicitors and Surveyors acting for the Leaseholders fail to communicate between themselves. As a result it is only ascertained after abortive Initial Notices have been served, that because of the design of the building within which the leasehold flats are situated, enfranchisement is not possible.  The leaseholders are now required to pay the legal / survey costs of the Freeholders incurred as a result of the abortive enfranchisement (£10,000.00 +) What are the

QUESTION We are still having problems with parking in our block and the only way out of this problem would be to make residents take a permit, but what I would like to know is if we would be able to charge the residents concerned who have extra vehicles. This way, they would have to pay just like if you go to a car park and pay and display. So is it possible as we do have the right to manage? Brian from Essex ANSWER  As to whether a charge can be made will really depend on what the lease

Success in the estate management profession results from ones ability to ‘serve’ those who actually own the properties for which the managing agent is responsible, rather than just managing the properties themselves. People have quipped that ‘estate management’ would be an easy task “if it weren’t for the people”.  However, managing agents need to embrace the opportunity to involve their ‘customers’ at every opportunity.  Managing agents have been given a degree if bad press in recent years with appearanc

Mary-anne Bowring explains the latest innovation in block porterage. With residents becoming more demanding these days and innovation being key to keeping them happy, a new Virtual Concierge product aims to add value to blocks. In essence, it’s a plasma screen installed at the entrance of a block, displaying useful information for visitors and residents alike. Only about 23% of apartment blocks in Central London boast a concierge, so at the moment there are pretty much just two types of blocks of flats,

With residents becoming more demanding these days and innovation being key to keeping them happy, a new Virtual Concierge product aims to add value to blocks. In essence, it’s a plasma screen installed at the entrance of a block, displaying useful information for visitors and residents alike. Only about 23% of apartment blocks in Central London boast a concierge, so at the moment there are pretty much just two types of blocks of flats, those that have concierge and those that don’t. Well that’s about to c

Bedbugs are becoming an increasing problem in flats throughout the UK. This is thought to be due to people travelling more often. Bedbugs can be easily picked up in hotels and transported back. Bedbugs are small, oval, flat, hard-bodied, flightless insects. They have well developed walking legs, so can spread easily between rooms or climb into suitcases so can be easily transported from one location to another. When they have not recently been fed a bedbug’s body is paper-thin and red-brown. After feeding