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Many former military personnel can be found on-site managing apartment blocks as the front line in estate management. News on the Block interviewed three estate managers with military backgrounds. Paul Harrison, Development Manager, West End Quay Walter Arciaga, House Manager, River Gardens Morris Dickson, Estate Manager, Holborough Lakes [extra:quotes:boxoutcopy=1] NOTB: Why do ex-military personnel make good estate managers? PH: Although people might not realise it, being a Development

[extra:quotes:boxoutcopy=1] The West Sussex Flats Insulation Project In 2008 a Partnership of 6 adjoining Local Authorities formed the West Sussex Partnership, and won a bid for 3 years of funding from the Regional Housing Board to help fund any excess payments required for Warm Front grant applicants. When the Warm Front Grant maximum was increased at the start of 2009, demand for ‘top-up’ funding was greatly reduced and the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) permitted the West Sussex Partne

Auditioning for a replacement managing agent can feel like a time-consuming gamble, and it’s not a process you want to keep repeating. With numerous managing agents to choose from, how do you differentiate between the many hopefuls and make sure you find the one who is exactly right? The standard procedure is to find companies which are members of the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), invite a selection of firms to tender, listen to

[extra:quotes:boxoutcopy=1] Recovery of residential service charges is a minefield, particularly for unwary landlords who do not demand or give details of sums due by way of service charge within time limits set by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Section 20B of the 1985 Act provides that a landlord has 18 months from incurring a service charge expense to demand or notify the leaseholders of payment. Otherwise, a landlord will be prevented from recovering any sums incurred outside the time limit. There

In a case brought against the Swedish Government, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that preventing people from using a satellite dish is a breach of human rights such as the right to freedom of expression and the right to practice religion. Many blocks of flats in the UK have clauses in their leases which prevent the installation of satellite dishes by individual leaseholders, and consequently communal tv systems are often provided. Bob Smytherman, Chairman of the FPRA, said: “...this decision

[extra:quotes:boxoutcopy=1] Ponds can be attractive features for any garden or open space. However, if they are not managed properly they can become polluted, overgrown and attract pests. To prevent this it is important to carefully consider ongoing management and maintenance plans. Good water quality is key to the healthy life of a pond and must be kept clean to provide suitable habitat for animals and plants. Water can be cleaned naturally, through planting special water plants to filter impurities

Retirement housing specialist Goldsborough Estates received three silver medals in the annual awards presented by the Association of Retirement Housing Managers. The awards are presented to retirement housing providers performing the best in customer satisfaction surveys. Goldsborough Estates received silver in all three ARHM award categories – ‘Participation in management and decision making’, ‘Satisfaction with the overall service provided’ and ‘The service charge represents good value for money’. The

The role of the managing agent is central to the management of a Residents Management Company (RMC) or Right To Manage (RTM) block. Often the role of director is taken by an unpaid volunteer with little or no prior knowledge of company law, their duties, responsibilities and potential personal liabilities. The board of directors will expect the agent to carry out its wishes and it is therefore imperative that the agent fully understands the relationship and also the company’s constitution. Every company

A 191 page guide to fire safety in blocks of flats has been published by the Local Government Group. The document also includes relevant case studies that focus on some of the common issues found in blocks of flats with suggested fire safety solutions. FPRA Chairman Bob Smytherman, who was also a member of the reference group that produced the guide, said: “The previous advice covered most types of property, but it was never sufficient for common parts of blocks of flats and some landlords and residenti

Property managers are increasingly coming under pressure from residents to upgrade their current TV systems, particularly given the recent advances in TV technology and the digital switchover (DSO). This was the case at Haddenhurst Court, a 2 storey block of 37 private retirement apartments in Berkshire, managed by a national retirement property company. In the past, residents watched TV through an analogue communal TV aerial. However, many have found the range of TV options quite limited. Addressing th

Upon receipt of a Right To Manage claim notice, a landlord party will need to give consideration to legal, commercial and tactical issues, which will include the following: Whether or not to admit the claim; Its obligations and position in respect of contracts; Issues with regard to contractor notices; The general approach to take in dealing with the RTM Company; The treatment of service charges; and Costs. Counter-Notice Any party given a claim notice by a RTM company may give a counter-notice.

ARMA, the trade body for managing agents, has stepped up its search to replace David Hewett as Chief Executive. Peter Dening, Chairman of ARMA has stated that the association is “...at a crossroads ...”. Specialist recruitment agency, Saxton Bampfylde has been retained for the search. Hewett’s successor will be reporting to the Council of ARMA, and tasked with recommending and implementing policy amongst other key responsibilities. Salary and the number of candidates who have so far applied have not been