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A strange sort of month this – the weather is fluctuating more than a guilty man’s graph on a lie detector test. This is bringing its own challenges, as the freak weather means buildings are being tested to extremes by the wind and the rain. The consequences will be felt through insurance premiums and the only people who lose out in the end are the leaseholders, both in terms of damage, disruption during remedial works and the added burden of cost. It’s up to us property managers to keep the fallout to a

Mark Chick, a partner at Bishop & Sewell LLP specialising in leasehold reform and landlord and tenant matters, explains new developments in LVT practice and procedure. There have been changes in LVT practice and procedure relating to lease extension and freehold purchase claims. Most of these came into effect as of January 2007 but the changes relating to listing are being applied only to new cases (i.e. applications received since the start of this year). Under the new procedures once an application i

Facts: The appellant was the freeholder of two blocks of flats in Walsall, West Midlands. When the appellant purchased the flats they were both suffering from a lack of maintenance by the previous owner, such that the local council had required extensive works to be done. During the course of the works, it became clear that the freeholder had insufficient advance payments from leaseholders to enable it to complete the works. It therefore sought a determination under s.27A Landlord and Tenant Act 1985

BREAKING NEWS   LITTLE FOR LEASEHOLDERS IN LAST BUDGET FROM BROWN In this special News on the Block eAlert we highlight some of the main announcements in the Budget to impact leaseholders along with more reaction from the residential property industry. In what is widely expected to be Gordon Brown’s last budget before making a bid for Labour leadership, the Chancellor offered little to excite leaseholders. Stephen Peete, Chief Executive of the Loughborough Building Society, was forthright in his reacti

BREAKING NEWS Tenant Deposit Scheme – ready or not? In April 2007, the Tenant Deposit Scheme (TDS) will come into effect in England and Wales, overseeing deposits equating to an amount worth £1.2 billion. The TDS will provide protection to both tenants and landlords entering into assured short hold tenancy agreements by offering an independent and regulated means of dispute resolution. An area that remains peripheral to any discussions is that of the need for accurate and detailed documentation of a pr

BREAKING NEWS Sneak preview of the March issue of News on the Block New Look! The March issue of the new look News on the Block magazine is now at the printers and will be sent out shortly. Find a sneak preview of the contents below: INSIDE THIS MONTH The Jane Barry column –leaseholder campaigning The knowledge base – readers questions answered What’s in the news? – latest news and views Environment special – Carbon emission and wind-powered flats The law– houses in multiple occupation; Peter Haler of

BREAKING NEWS Two is better than one At the recent Extraordinary General Meeting of the Southern Private Landlords Association, members agreed by an overwhelming majority to amalgamate the Southern Private Landlords Association (SPLA) and the National Federation of Residential Landlords (NFRL). This move is in recognition of changes that are taking place in the industry and positions the National Federation for Residential Landlords as a newly formed membership-based organisation servicing more than 9,

BREAKING NEWS Announcing the launch of News on the Block’s ‘Recruitment Bulletin’ Recruiting property managers and professionals for your property management company is difficult and time consuming. But thanks to News on the Block your property management company will be able to place recruitment advertisements in our new ‘Recruitment Bulletin’. It will be sent electronically to our email database of more than 1,800 property professionals every two weeks. Special introductory rates apply. Price for ea

BREAKING NEWS Another string to Chainbow Residential property manager Chainbow has launched a revolutionary new website for residents. The site is designed to address the lack of information typically available to tenants by providing transparent, easily accessible data and resources. The website’s secure residents’ portal includes information such as minutes from residents’ meetings and accounts, outlining how the service charge is being spent. It also provides residents with a generic copy of their l

By Mira Bar-Hillel The average price of central London flats has passed £1 million for the first time following an increase of 11.9% since October 2005, the latest figures show. The price of an average house in central London has risen to a staggering £2.7 million. Prices continue to rise quickly as the amount of property available is down 30% on this time last year, with more wealthy buyers from home and abroad chasing the dwindling supply. Ian Springett of website Primelocation, which produced these

Baroness Andrews was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the newly created Communities and Local Government in May 2006. Her role reflects and expands upon her previous position at the former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). Her responsibilities include communities and local government business in the Lords; planning policy and casework; neighbourhood renewal; liveability; social exclusion and regional spatial strategies for the West Midlands, South West, North East, North West

How important is it for property management firms to belong to the national professional body, the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA)? In this exclusive feature, News on the Block brings together the contrasting opinions of several managing agents and property professionals, who outline in their own words and from their own experience how they perceive the value of ARMA membership and the role of the organisation. David Hewett, executive secretary of ARMA takes a look at the association’