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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

Melissa Briggs, leader of the CarlEX campaign has responded to the announcement yesterday that Peverel have been placed in adminstration.  Speaking to News on the Block, Melissa Briggs said: "This is hopefully a great day for leaseholders everywhere in the UK and may now prove that the Peverel Group of companies has not been very well managed. However, we do not know who will take over Peverel - will it be out of the frying pan into the fire? "It is now a very good time to seek to form a Right to Manag

Further details have now emerged regarding the background to how Peverel has found itself in administration.  The day after the Serious Fraud Office raided the offices of Vincent Tchenguiz, Peverel owner, the Bank of America Merrill Lynch demanded repayment of a £124.6 million loan (plus accrued interest of some £11.4 million) within 24 hours. As a consequence, the Board of Peverel Group Ltd, a guarantor to the loan, had no choice but to appoint an Administrator. Vincent Tchenguiz, Chairman of Consensus

The Enfranchisemant & Right to Manage Awards 2011 are now open for entry.  The Awards recognise excellence in all areas of this important aspect of residential leasehold work.  There is no charge for entry and there a variety of award categories including: Barrister of the Year sponsored by Pemberton Greenish Chambers of the Year London Solicitors of the Year sponsored by Tanfield Chambers Regional Solicitors of the Year Solicitor of the Year sponsored by Knight Frank Legal Assista

Restructuring experts Zolfo Cooper have announced that they have been appointed Administrators of Peverel Limited (PL), Peverel Group Limited (PGL), Aztec Opco Developments Limited (AODL) and Aztec Acquisitions Limited (AAL). The announcement comes just days after Vincent Tchenguiz, the high profile owner of Peverel and its related companies, was dramatically arrested by the Serious Fraud Office in a dawn raid on his home and Central London offices. The Administration is not directly connected with Mr Tch

The dramatic arrest attracted worldwide publicity, and although comment on forums and in the blogoshpere has been mixed, commentators in national newspapers are exercising more caution in their reporting. Cahal Milmo writing in The Independent said: "It would be foolhardy to write them off just yet. Both men issued a strongly worded denial of any wrongdoing while teams of police officers were still combing their offices close to the Dorchester Hotel in Mayfair."   And Stephen Foley, writing in the same pa

Flat owners will be able to see a monthly snapshot of crime and anti-social behaviour across every street in Britain with the launch of a new online crime and anti-social behaviour map rolled out on the police.uk website this month. This new initiative provides a convenient visual tool that is easily accessible to homebuyers in aiding their decisions to relocate to a particular area. It is uncertain whether property prices would be negatively affected, but industry participants suggest that the impacts

The operations relate to the SFO's ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the Kaupthing banking Group, and Icelandic investigators mounted similar operations in Reykjavik this morning. In London two business properties and eight residential addresses were searched during the extensive operation, which involved 135 Police Officers and SFO Investigators.  During the course of the London operation seven men were arrested and taken to Police Stations in Central London

The Porter of the Year Award was an extremely popular category at the Block Insure Property Management Awards. The Award, which is sponsored by managing agents, The Ringley Group, recognises the frontline contribution made by porterage staff towards the efficient running of any block of flats.  Here we showcase the very best porters in the United Kingdom.     ===========================================================================   A. Name: Red Houjabi (Winner) Block: The Water gardens

The Porter of the Year Award was an extremely popular category at the Block Insure Property Management Awards. The Award, which is sponsored by managing agents, The Ringley Group, recognises the frontline contribution made by porterage staff towards the efficient running of any block of flats.  Here we showcase the very best porters in the United Kingdom.     ===========================================================================   A. Name: Red Houjabi (Winner) Block: The Water gardens

The winners of the Block Insure Property Management Awards 2010-11 were revealed at a glittering award ceremony held at Lord’s Cricket Ground and hosted by celebrity, Dominic Holland. The Block Insure Property Management Awards recognize the excellence and professionalism of all specialists working in this industry both at an individual and company level. The Award categories demonstrate the breadth in skills that the industry demands and the important influence third party agents play in ensuring servic