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On 10 July 2009 Mr Justice Mann ruled that certain terms and conditions included by estate agents Foxtons in their letting agreements with landlords are unfair.  This decision is likely to have significant implications both for letting agents and landlords. Proceedings were brought by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.  The OFT will now ask the Court to grant injunctions preventing the continued use of these unfair terms by Foxtons. These includ

News on the Block catches up with the delegates at RESI 09. To view the podcasts please click on the links below. Nicolas Shulman, Director of News on the Block speaks with Roger Southam, Chairman of Chainbow. Nicolas Shulman, Director of News on the Block speaks with Nick Jopling of C.B Richard Ellis. Nicolas Shulman, Director of News on the Block speaks with Grainger PLC. Nicolas Shulman, Director of News on the Block speaks with Chris Baker of Davies Arnold Cooper.

[image1]    Crabtree Property [image2]        Adiuvo [image3]             Rendall & Rittner [image4]           Chainbow

Follow News on the Block on Twitter for all the latest updates at RESI 09. www.twitter.com/newsontheblock [image1]

Meet some of the delegates from this years RESI 09 Conference at the Celtic Manor Resort in Cardiff, Wales. See what they had to say below. [image1]   Grainger Plc. [image2]   Roger Southam,   Chainbow [image3]    Gillian Burrows - Artist [image4]           Sprunt [image5]        Preside   Douglas and Gordon [image6]     Claibon Recruitment Click here to continue to the next page

In this exclusive interview, News on the Block meets the founders, (Christopher Harniman, David Goldberg  and Patrick Flynn) of a new and exciting property management company called 'Preside'. [image1] NOTB:  First of all can you tell us what the background is to Preside and a little bit about your business and your goals? CH: I started my involvement in property management more than 20 years ago,  when I was still single and decided to invest in property as distinct from investing in a pension sche

[image1] News on the Block is the leading magazine in the flat sector offering help and advice to leaseholders, landlords and their respective advisors. For several years we have been publishing articles about property management. The Property Management 2009 awards will recognise the excellence and professionalism of all specialists working in this industry both at an individual and company level. The Award categories are: London Property Management Company of the Year Regional Property Management C

Disputes between estate agents and their clients have finally started to mirror the property market trend, with a significant fall in the numbers involving property sales during the first quarter of 2009. The Property Ombudsman (formerly the Ombudsman for Estate Agents), Christopher Hamer, says the latest figures show a decrease of 38 per cent in the number of disputes compared to the last quarter of 2008.

Businesses which resort to price fixing or breach competition rules in an attempt to boost profits in the recession are the subject of a new clampdown by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), warns law firm DWF. Partner, Rupert Nevin, says, “We can expect to see targeted enforcement in financial services, construction, retail and consumer markets, in particular those where large groups of individuals suffer large losses as a result of price fixing and monopoly activity.”

The Government is seeking input from stakeholders in the private rented sector following publication of the Rugg Review, an independent review of the private rented sector. Amongst the proposals is a drive towards promoting professionalism in property management, and a national register of landlords. Although primarily focused on the private rented sector and short-term tenancies, the proposals could impact long leaseholders and property managers nationwide. In inviting comments by 7th August 2009, Ian Wr

The government wants  to drop the expected implementation of Right to Enfranchisement (RTE) companies, citing “practical difficulties”. RTE companies were to be implemented following Sections 121-124 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002. They would have required leaseholders to purchase the freehold of the building containing their flats through an RTE company, with membership being open to all qualifying leaseholders. However, upon further consideration, the Government has now realised that t

Legal & General’s latest ‘Home Sweet Home’ survey shows that 85% of those surveyed stated that their current home was not their dream home and nearly a quarter, 23% did not think they would ever achieve this goal. Ruth Wilkins of Legal and General said, “In the current economic climate it’s not surprising that people are feeling the pinch. While major home improvements have been put on hold, choosing not to do what may be considered more cosmetic home improvements to save some pennies, could actually be e