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The lead professional body for the rental market is calling on government for a long overdue Christmas present. ARLA, the Association of Residential Letting Agents, believes that the best present that landlords and tenants could wish for, after the exposure of yet another failing unregulated letting agent, is the licensing of every letting agent in the land. ARLA, which regulates some 40% of all mainstream agents to the Association's blueprint for standards, claims that by licensing the agents, much of th

Down-sizing has been a growing phenomenon; be it among the single, rich and happy’s (‘Sarahs’), the smaller mortgage – ideal lifestyle (‘Smilers’), growing numbers of people are making the conscious decision to alter their lives, allow a better work/life balance, and insodoing are down-sizing their homes. Whether this is driven by a dream to opt out of full time work, finance a second home abroad, or by hard reality, such as a divorce, the trend is a move to smaller or less costly homes, freeing up cash f

‘M’ Day In the first of our two reports on the Financial Services Authority’s regulation of mortgages, Robin Gordon-Walker of the FSA explains the background to the new regulations. On October 31st the Financial Services Authority (FSA) took on responsibility for regulating mortgages in the UK. This covers mortgage lending, advice and administration. By law, all mortgage lenders, including banks and buildings societies, need to be licensed by the FSA, as do mortgage brokers and other mortgage intermed

As we progress into 2005, Mark Alexander, Managing Director of Norwich based The Money Centre and London based Associate consultant, Mark Edwards, give us their expert analysis of the buy-to-let market and provide advice to investors about what to expect in the next 12 months. 2004 was a great year for private investors in the buy-to-let market. Several independent surveys show the average UK property soared in value increasing by 15 per cent. Investors who purchased property during 2003 with the standar

In January, the general insurance industry joined the banks, life and pensions companies and financial advisers already under the statutory supervision of the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Rod Gibson examines the consequences. For anyone involved in providing protection for home, motor and business insurance – anything from a caravan in North Wales to an oil rig in the North Sea – these are turbulent times. How did it come to this? Well, the financial services industry has had a habit of shooting

Residents, landlords and managing agents are facing increased legal requirements this year, with the introduction of new laws bringing electrical installations in dwellings under the remit of Building Regulations for England and Wales.  Arkady Granik explains. Changes in legislation relating to electrical installations move are intended to crack down on cowboy operators and raise the standards of electrical installations in flats and residential blocks. The move follows a rise in domestic electrical acc

While some powerful landlords have been resisting efforts by people living in flats to buy their buildings, one of the biggest land owners in the country has been lending quiet support to this growing consumer movement by selling off residential properties to leaseholders. The land and buildings owned by Queen Elizabeth in her capacity as the Monarch – known as the Crown Estate – represent one of the largest, most diverse and valuable property portfolios in the United Kingdom. The Sovereign’s present la

EDITOR’S COMMENT Your block needs you If you're still pondering New Year's resolutions, here's a thought. Why not volunteer to become a director for your block? Enfranchisement, Right to Manage and Commonhold all involve setting up companies, and by law a company must have at least two directors. But once your block has got itself organised and the first rush of enthusiasm has worn off, so often does everybody's readiness to pitch in. Managing agents report blocks of 100 or even 150 flats where only on

Don't be surprised if your managing agent puts up his fees next year. It won't be because he's trying to make a fast buck, but because he's swamped with paperwork from new government legislation. One measure in particular will bring him more costs and large amounts of extra work. It's designed to safeguard you, the flat owner, from insurance malpractice. The trouble is, there's no evidence that the abuse they want to protect you from actually exists. From January 2005 your managing agent will have to be

As the House of Commons overturns an attempt by the House of Lords to make Home Information Packs voluntary, Peter Nicholas looks at what all the cheering was about. It has been about six years since the inception of the Government’s plans to introduce Home Information Packs (formerly “Sellers Packs”), and they do not appear willing to give up on the idea now. When in early November 2004 the House of Lords, persuaded by criticisms of the scheme, tried to make the use of HIP’s voluntary, Housing Minister

CHESTER SQUARE APARTMENTS Aldine Honey & Company, have a most spectacular three-four bedroom leasehold apartment for sale in Chester Square Belgravia for £4, 950, 000. 33-36 Chester Square is the only apartment building on Chester Square, famous for residents such as Lady Margaret Thatcher and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. It is perhaps the most exclusive address in London apart from Eaton Square. This apartment is an absolute rarity because most of the properties on Chester Square are townhouses. Compl

By Alba Foreman Two years ago, I was approached by my next-door neighbour, a committee member of our residents’ association (OCRA), to develop a newsletter. OCRA, which stands for Oakwood Court Residents Association, has been in existence for over 25 years, and they had decided that it was time to have a formal communication tool. It would foster community spirit, generate more interest and support on current projects, and increase membership numbers. Residents associations focus critical attention on is