Featured Articles

The applicant leaseholder was dissatisfied with the decision of the respondent freeholder to carry out works to his property. He contended that no works were necessary, only maintenance. The Council responded by setting out it’s cyclical maintenance scheme – works would be done, even if not strictly necessary, in accordance with a pre-determined schedule. The Council had some 18,500 properties to service and simply could not deal with repairs on a reactive basis, but had to undertaken maintenance based on

One of the most immediate concerns of a residents’ board when a block goes self-managed is to keep leaseholders’ money safe. The second is to invest it prudently. By James Thomson The annual service charge budget at Bankside Lofts is £500,000 including insurance and water charges. This is an average of £4,000 per flat. These are invoiced and payable half-yearly in advance so that, together with accumulated building reserves, peak bank balances are also of the order of £500,000.   At Bankside Lofts

So much of what we read and hear about block management relates to the ever increasing complexities of regulation, compliance, lessees rights and the legal framework within which block managers must operate. It is too easy to forget that the commercial role of the modern block manager is a service provider to add value to their clients. As with any other service business in the world, acquisition and retention of clients is largely based on the perception of the delivery of value for money and customer

In 2008 the switch off of analogue TV begins and this means that all viewers will need equipment or systems that are digitally enabled in order to watch television. For residents of flats and apartments, the landlord or management company needs to consider now if any changes need to be made to ensure tenants aren’t faced with a blank screen in the future.   Digital television was launched in the UK during 1998 and has enabled broadcasters to vastly increase the choice of programmes available to viewers. T

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG - formerly ODPM) has created a dedicated website - www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk - for those involved in the industry.  The site provides detailed, up-to-date information, including case studies, FAQs, leaflets, regular e-newsletters, event details and other useful links. From 1 June 2007, homeowners will be required to provide a Home Information Pack when marketing their homes for sale throughout England and Wales. The Packs are designed to remo

JUNE UPDATE   Despite apartments still dominating new builds, semi-detached properties are increasing in popularity, according to the Smart New Homes Index. Semi detached properties saw the biggest price rise over the year. However, apartments still dominate the new-build property type mix at 56%. According to ARLA’s quarterly survey, the capital values of apartments in the rented sector rose by 2.7% over the last three months, compared with houses which rose by 0.3%. There was a slight monthly decline of

Know what you’re ‘letting’ yourself in for. This new guide provides essential advice on apartment living and letting. In January 2006, flats made up 57% of all new housing built in the UK, compared to only 24% of detached houses.  Today, ever more people are living in flats rather than houses. At one time, flat living was relatively rare, but in England and Wales at least, more flats than houses have been built since 2003, and over 100,000 new flats are now being built each year.  Commenting on these figu

SARAH BEENY’S PRICE THE JOB – Your Price Guide to Renovation and Repair Sarah Beeny   Fed up with pricey plumbers, elusive electricians and bodgey builders? Have you got a building, plumbing, electrical job to sort out and aren't sure how much it could, should, would cost if the perfect builder, plumber or electrician could be found to help you sort it out? Property developer, building expert and television presenter Sarah Beeny is here to help with Price the Job – covering a break down of what is involve

JUDGE MICHAEL RICH QC   His father was a solicitor and, at the tender age of seven, HH Michael Rich declared his intention to go to the Bar. He is grateful both to his father and the Middle Temple (of which he is the Autumn Reader this year) that he was able to realise that ambition. His practice from the first was largely concerned with valuation and the use of land, including eventually many major public development Inquiries. He was appointed a Circuit Judge to sit in civil matters only in 1991.

If we think about all areas of our personal life, one thing tends to dominate our grievance time and again: poor service. If you’re out shopping, you expect service; if you go for a meal, you would be outraged if you weren’t looked after; you spend your hard-earned money on a holiday, you would not tolerate a hotel failing to look after you. Why, then, are the standards of management service in this sector generally so low? There is the argument that fees are not high enough to substantiate good service. 

October 2003 saw the introduction of one of the most controversial reforms in Landlord & Tenant legislation: the leaseholders’ Right to Manage. This relatively simple process gives qualifying blocks of flats the right to take over the management of their property and a voice that demands to be listened to. Danny Weil suggests that leaving the RTM procedures to the professionals would boost its take-up.   Common laments heard by leaseholders wanting a better standard of management include general dissati

May 25th Institute of Electrical Engineers Savoy Place London   Damian Greenish, Senior Partner, Pemberton Greenish, the Conference Chairman, opened the conference by saying that three major topics had dominated the leasehold sector over the last 12 months: reviews of the definition of what is a house for the purpose of enfranchisement; valuing head leases and the subject of improvements. He also said that the issue of deferment rates had very much come to the fore, rocking the leasehold markets,