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I Following on from the British Security Industry Association’s (BSIA) article in the last edition of NOTB, the BSIA Police and Public Services Section Chairman, Mick Lee, examines the role that wardens are playing in securing blocks of flats and looks at the other security measures that resident associations should be considering. Some resident associations and local authorities are now turning to private security guarding companies to supply wardens or security officers to patrol housing estates or blo

The regulations setting out requirements to manage asbestos in buildings have been out for some time now. The major change came with the introduction of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. The duty to manage (regulation 4) came into force in May 2004 after an 18-month lead in period to allow sufficient time for organisations to comply, writes Peter Moore of Tetra Consulting. The 2002 regulations set out explicit requirements to manage asbestos in all properties except private residential dwe

The world’s largest convention for property professionals takes place in the French Riviera in March 2008 – Nicolas Shulman previews the spectacular real estate summit... The annual MIPIM conference is fast approaching and News on the Block will be reporting throughout the build up and of course at the event itself. MIPIM is undoubtedly the highlight on the global property conference calendar and you will not miss a thing with News on the Block. In 2008 the four-day property extravaganza takes places at t

Neil Young, CEO of Young Group, commenting on the latest Young Index figures, points out: “Mark Twain famously said ‘Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated’; the same can be said of the buy-to-let industry. Young Index data shows that investor sentiment remains extremely healthy, particularly in the capital. As with any investment asset class, it’s imperative to scrutinise each opportunity carefully and ensure that it is supported by sound fundamentals. In the case of buy-to-let, investors need

B2L still strong Investors will continue to purchase good quality buy-to-let properties in the right location, for the right price, says Imagine Homes in spite of recent speculation. Group sales director, Marc Lafferty is confident that strategic developments and strengthened overseas operations will support the company’s ambitious expansion strategy. “Buy-to-let is about buying well. For Imagine Homes, it is a question of picking our developments carefully. Imagine Homes only select new-build properties

Q: Tell us about the history of the Berkeley Group? A: Originally I worked for Crest Homes, which is now called Crest Nicholson. I left them in 1976 when I was 27 years old and founded Berkeley. The purpose of Berkeley was to build a small number of large detached houses in the leafy lanes of Surrey. Our logic was simple: we provided a bespoke service (very unusual in those days), for example letting people choose their own kitchens and bathrooms. Berkeley stayed with that business model for a number of y

Q: Could you start by telling us a little bit about your background and how you came to be chief executive of the Leasehold Advisory Service? A: Certainly. I studied for a degree reading law. On completion of that I joined the Bar in Gray’s Inn – the work I was doing was general common law work such as housing, crime, a tiny bit of family, that sort of thing. I first contacted LEASE with the intention of trying to find a niche in property law, and to get a handle on the issues that were arising with a vie

RMC director Bob Smytherman talks to News on the Block about how residents in his block have benefited from Yourblockonline.com Bob lives in a block of 46 flats in West Sussex. The building is run by a self managed residential company and Bob is involved in the management. Just under a year ago Bob played a pivotal role in signing his block up to yourblockonline.com – the free service for people in blocks of flats. “When I first moved here 16 years ago a large number of the residents were elderly, but gra

Helen Matthews, Partner and Head of Contentious Property at Bolt Burdon writes that from 1 October 2007 every demand for service charges must provide leaseholders with information on their rights in relation to those charges. Section 153 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 came into force on 1 October 2007 amending the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 by inserting a new section 21B. The new section only applies in England with Welsh commencement soon. Under section 158 of the 2002 Act landlords mu

Housing minister Yvette Cooper is today expected to announce a review of the private rented sector by an academic at York University. It is thought that the review would be similar to the Hills Review of social housing, published earlier in the year. The news comes as the Citizens Advice Bureau reveals the scale of home owners saddled with mortgages they cannot afford, while the MoD admits spending £11m renting army homes from private landlords because of a lack of supply. The property industry believes

The magazine in your hands is our biggest yet. It seems the issues and topics surrounding the residential leasehold sector grow every day. We always attempt to be one of the first to explain and write about the latest changes to leasehold law. In this issue John Mills bemoans the fact that five years since the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act the requirement for annual statements of account has still not been implemented. Also in this issue Mira Bar-Hillel tackles head on the issue of insurance com

This month Jane Bayliss recalls some of the trials and tribulations her block managers have faced in the past when it comes to carrying out refurbishments (and justifying the fees) in her seaside block of flats. ‘Vot ’ave ve done to deserve zis?’ the indignant Middle European tones of Mrs Ponsonby wail down the phone. ‘£10 more zis quarter for maintenance!’ It’s all been explained in the annual budget, and Mrs Ponsonby is a rich widow. ‘I don’t know what you’ve done to deserve this, Mrs Ponsonby – why do