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Success in the estate management profession results from ones ability to ‘serve’ those who actually own the properties for which the managing agent is responsible, rather than just managing the properties themselves. People have quipped that ‘estate management’ would be an easy task “if it weren’t for the people”.  However, managing agents need to embrace the opportunity to involve their ‘customers’ at every opportunity.  Managing agents have been given a degree if bad press in recent years with appearanc

Mary-anne Bowring explains the latest innovation in block porterage. With residents becoming more demanding these days and innovation being key to keeping them happy, a new Virtual Concierge product aims to add value to blocks. In essence, it’s a plasma screen installed at the entrance of a block, displaying useful information for visitors and residents alike. Only about 23% of apartment blocks in Central London boast a concierge, so at the moment there are pretty much just two types of blocks of flats,

With residents becoming more demanding these days and innovation being key to keeping them happy, a new Virtual Concierge product aims to add value to blocks. In essence, it’s a plasma screen installed at the entrance of a block, displaying useful information for visitors and residents alike. Only about 23% of apartment blocks in Central London boast a concierge, so at the moment there are pretty much just two types of blocks of flats, those that have concierge and those that don’t. Well that’s about to c

Bedbugs are becoming an increasing problem in flats throughout the UK. This is thought to be due to people travelling more often. Bedbugs can be easily picked up in hotels and transported back. Bedbugs are small, oval, flat, hard-bodied, flightless insects. They have well developed walking legs, so can spread easily between rooms or climb into suitcases so can be easily transported from one location to another. When they have not recently been fed a bedbug’s body is paper-thin and red-brown. After feeding

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Melissa Briggs, the leasehold campaigner and co-founder of CARLEX has returned to the front line after a period of absence for health reasons. Talking to News on the Block, Melissa has warned landlords and managing agents around the country to beware: now, she does not only have just the retirement sector in her sight. Melissa has unveiled a three-pronged assault on the leasehold sector, from a political, management and legal perspective.  CARLEX has been re-launched and re-branded as the Campaign Again

Residential and commercial property management firm, Chainbow, is expanding outside the Southeast with the announcement of its Leeds-based satellite office in North England, opening in February 2011. Chainbow currently manages 114 developments with more than 4,800 units throughout London and surrounding counties but demand for consultation work in the north has prompted the company to relocate longstanding staff member, Shebhani Hegde, to Leeds.   Roger Southam, Chairman and Chief Executive of Chainbo

“You might expect to get your money back if you just bought a new TV that did not work, or milk that was off, now you can expect this from Ringley”, says Mary-Anne Bowring, Managing Director of the Ringley Group. The Ringley Group manages nearly 10,000 properties throughout London and the South East and provide “on-line software for blocks who want to self manage” as well as a national “Service Charge Administration service” to smaller blocks. Ringley say that the guarantee is a response to the ever incre

A recent survey by block managers Urban Owners, has revealed that 70% of leaseholders are unaware of their Right to Manage their block. This is in spite of government legislation designed to give leaseholders more control over the management of their properties. The 2002 Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act is a no fault procedure allowing flat owners to take control of their block from their freeholder. The survey also showed that only 30% of leaseholders are satisfied with the management of the property

The UK’s digital switchover is moving forward with many regions having already switched and the remainder to follow by 2012. Research by Sky has indicated many private apartment blocks are not prepared since landlords have delayed preparations due to cost or are unclear about the preparations that are required. To prevent delays in the schedule, Sky has introduced a specialist switchover team to oversee a “smooth and affordable switchover”. Sky’s Shared Dish system, delivers digital TV signals to apartmen

The association of retirement Housing Managers (ARHM), in consultation with the Welsh Assembly, has officially launched a new Code of Practice specifically developed for the management of private retirement and sheltered housing in Wales. The ARHM Code aims to promote best practices in the management of retirement housing, from both private companies and housing associations, setting out clearly what must be provided by law and what else needs to be provided as good practice. The ARHM Code for Wales adopt

The federation of private residents associations (FPRA), a member of the end fuel poverty coalition, is backing the National energy action (NEA) Warm Homes campaign to protect the most vulnerable households from fuel poverty. The FPRA comments that millions of people still struggle to keep their homes warm, leading to health impacts and general wellbeing. The government has announced a programme aimed at addressing energy efficiency. The FPRA is now calling for changes to the landlord and Tenant act in al