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The leasehold advisory Service (LEASE) have recently updated and re-launched one of their key guidance booklets regarding services charges within Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. The booklet is produced in cooperation with managing agent trade body, ARMA. Section 20 procedures apply to major works on leasehold blocks of flats when the contribution towards those works by any one leaseholder exceeds £250 or when a landlord plans to enter into a long-term agreement for the provision of servi

The federation of private residents associations is lobbying Government for clarification of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 as it applies to leaseholders. The FPRA says that existing guidance can be confusing and sometimes misleading for those that are responsible for fire safety in ‘common parts’ of the buildings. In particular, the FPRA is critical of the fact that the law does not address fire safety within individual flats; the person “responsible” within a block for conducting fire ri

The reset certification Scheme (www.rcscard.co.uk) is an innovative and secure system that aims to revolutionise how the competences of individuals are verified when entering workplaces, construction sites and security conscious locations such as airports, retail centres and hospitals. The individual registers as a cardholder and their qualification certificates and documents are verified and uploaded to the RCS database. An RCS card can be then be verified by simply accessing the RCS website, allowing

Eight awards start 2011 well for SitexOrbis the UK’s leading provider of integrated property and security services. The firm won Contractor of the Year at the Property Management Awards in December. Other awards from last year include: LHC Innovation of the Year award for eMAKs; Housing Excellence Product of the Year for eMAKS; British Institute of Facilities Management’s (BIFM) Innovation in Products award for eMAKS; British Chambers of Commerce national award for Excellence in Customer Service; British

Mark Walley has been appointed as the UK Executive Director of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. This newly created position aims to refocus the strategy for the UK market, grow membership in the professional body and ensure that there will be a pipeline of qualified talent and professionals in the UK going forward.

Streetcar, a UK-based “pay-as-you-go” car club is partnering with OM Property Management and Consort Property Management in providing its range of cars at convenient access points to thousands of residents. Streetcar prides itself on providing a flexible and low cost service that combats parking shortage. Streetcar also emphasizes the relatively greener alternative to owning a car, believing that it will encourage residents to give up a car altogether.  Consort Property Management commented: “Our experi

Hamilton Fraser Insurance has launched: “Total Landlord Insurance”. This new buy-to-let insurance offers two levels of insurance: a lower cost policy with less coverage and a policy that offers broad coverage but still excellent value. Hamilton Fraser Insurance said that the majority of the landlords want the widest coverage possible, but there were also cost conscious landlords that were looking for a reduction in premiums as well. The new brand aims to focus on satisfying a broader customer base.

The OECD has suggested that the stamp duty should be scrapped and replaced with an annual property tax based on asset value. Nicolas Leeming of Zoopla.co.uk thought the abolition would encourage first time buyers into the market, but suggested an increase in the thresholds would provide more incentive for the first-time buyer without affecting everyone. David Newnes of LSL property services was more critical: “If the government was focused on stimulating the real estate markets, then they need to ensure

The rise in VAT from 17.5% to 20% affects retail consumers directly, but the impact to landlords is minimal as rents are not subject to VAT. However, landlords are still impacted directly through the goods and services that are purchased for their properties, such as maintenance or leasehold improvements. Though landlords may want to consider how to be more tax efficient, it probably isn’t necessary to become VAT registered if only one or two properties are being held. However, if a landlord is running a

QUESTION Is there any way we can find out (as reported in News on the Block, issue 38) what exactly the new service charge demand must say (all of it)? Name withheldANSWER The information to be set out on a service charge demand is contained in section 3 of The Service Charges (Summary of Rights and Obligations, and Transitional Provision) (England) Regulations 2007. This is SI 2007 No 1257. There is no prescribed form but the demand must have the heading referred to in 3(a). The wording of 3(b) sho

QUESTION With the increasing work load involved in issuing Section 20 Notices, is there a fair and reasonable administration fee we can charge lessees for the additional work.Company name withheldANSWER The first port of call is always the lease – are such fees recoverable as service charges? If they are, you should then refer to your management agreement with your client – because Section 20 work is now more onerous, many managing agents contract a separate fee for this rather than include it in th

QUESTION Dear News on the Block, The buy-to-let (B2L) culture has taken off and estate agents and property management companies do not wish to bite the hand that feeds them. However, there is real and growing concern with resident shareholders to the B2L market; that it will reduce the effective management of blocks of flats that have ownership of the freehold. If too many flats are bought and let by B2L investors the integrity of the flats falls apart and management is undermined. The B2L investor do