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When advising our clients of their budgeting needs it is sensible to anticipate what major works may be required beyond the next 12 months This allows a reserve or sinking fund to be maintained at levels that avoid significant fluctuations in charges payable when works are due. This has been so successful with our managed clients that our building surveyors are continuously instructed on a number of properties for non-managed clients. The intention is to avoid unpleasant surprises and prioritise works in

The UK is officially in recession and property prices have reached an all time low; this is not great news. However, this grey cloud may have a silver lining for flats owners with long leases. With a stabilisation of property prices still to come, long leaseholders should seriously consider taking advantage of the slump in property values now and get their leases extended.WHEN CAN A LEASE BE EXTENDED? Subject to a few exceptions, all long leaseholders who have held their lease for at least two years hav

The UK is officially in recession and property prices have reached an all time low; this is not great news. However, this grey cloud may have a silver lining for flats owners with long leases. With a stabilisation of property prices still to come, long leaseholders should seriously consider taking advantage of the slump in property values now and get their leases extended. When can a Lease be extended? Subject to a few exceptions, all long leaseholders who have held their lease for at least two years

EXCLUSIVE [image1]Vincent Tchenguiz, Chairman of Consensus Business Group, the landlord at the centre of recent controversy surrounding vociferous complaints from retirement flat owners finally broke his silence on the issue by giving a frank and exclusive interview published in the next issue of News on the Block magazine.  Retirement leaseholders, led by pressure-group CARLEX, have complained about some operational practices in residential developments which they claim are unfair.  Their high-prof

The finalists in The Property Management Awards 2009 have been revealed and the winners will be announced at a glittering evening ceremony in Central London in December 2009.  Awards for London and Regional managing agent and property manager of the year have been fiercely contested as has the award for Professional Services of the Year.  Finalists in the category for Newcomer of the Year are also of interest as this award is restricted to those that are new to the industry either at a personal or corpor

As a Leaseholder there may be various reasons to take control of the management of the building, e.g. dissatisfaction with consistently high service charges, or a poor standard of repair. There are ways of addressing these problems without taking control of the management but sometimes it makes sense for the landlord or its managing agents to be replaced with a more efficient regime. There are three main ways of going about this. The best option for you will depend on your circumstances, and those of the

On 19th November 2009, BBC Breakfast News reported about the recent CARLEX campaign concerning complaints retirement flat owners have about the way their buildings are owned and managed. The show was followed by a report on BBC Working Lunch, following which Nicolas Shulman, founder of News on the Block, the leading independent publication providing help and advice to leaseholders, was invited to the studio to provide further guidance to worried flat owners. He explained that leaseholders have various opt

We have received a fantastic response from the industry regarding the Property Management Awards 2009.  So much so that we are delighted to announce the introduction of 3 new categories: - Newcomer of the Year (for property management companies or individuals who have worked in the industry for less than 2 years)- Boutique Property Management Company of the Year (for property management companies managing less than 1000 units); and- The Professional Services Award (for professional service f

The appointment of a Project Manager for major building contracts has now been accepted as standard practice except in the Property Management Sector. Appointing a Project Manager is an extra cost and hard to justify to the Lessees. Managing Agents are expected to be a “jack of all trades” and be able to take on anything property related. Considering that Construction Project Management is recognised as a specialist role, requiring a significant amount of training and expertise, it seems unfair to expect

QUESTION Our managing agent suggested replacing our TV aerial system to make sure that we were able to receive digital TV. A survey, cost around £1600. I bought a reasonably priced digital receiver and connected it to the existing analogue aerial supply.  Surprisingly all channels were received with a good signal. We did not need to replace any component of our existing system, but when it is due for replacement we will be able to buy the latest technology available. Perhaps you could suggest this approac

Feral pigeons are the part of the ecology of city life but their predators (Peregrine falcons) are few. Their numbers depend on food resources, breeding speed, living space and predation. Buildings with lots of shelter and nesting ledges, people feeding pigeons in the streets, a warm climate and absence of natural predators leads to an increasing population. Every feral pigeon produces yearly around 12 kg of excrement. Large accumulations can contain disease organisms that affect humans (Salmonellosis, Tu

[image1]Do you have a good porter in your block? The unsung hero of the leasehold community can be rewarded and recognised at this years Property Management awards hosted by News on the Block.Porter of the year is one of the categories at the awards ceremony which is to be held in London.  Award sponsors are to include Deacon Insurance. Some of the other award categories include Self Managed Block of the Year, Block Insurer of the Year, Contractor of the Year and Property Management Company