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Sir, Britain has long been victim to the myth that all Tenants were the great oppressed and all Landlords were the terrible oppressors, characterised as Rachmans. After the war, legislation in favour of Tenants became flavour of the month. Traditional landlords disappeared and council estates took their place as the great hope of Socialist society. Citizen voters controlled the councils. So council estates would become havens of best practice.    Decades on, who would choose to live on a council estate? Y

Margaret Murray’s CV is almost like a guide book of desirable addresses in London – Buckingham Gate, Holland Park and River Gardens, Fulham to name a few. The list is topped by the exclusive Colehearn Court in the Old Brompton Road, former home of Princess Diana before she was married. After 12 years in the business working in luxury apartments across the capital Margaret has settled into Lord’s View One in St John’s Wood Road – a 10 story building containing 86 properties. Its close proximity to the wor

As Chairman of the IRPM how do you intend to develop the role of the organisation? I think we have achieved a huge amount in just over three years and have a unique opportunity to build on those achievements and become a respected organisation within the property professions. Demand for membership, training and our examinations continues to grow apace. I would like to see the Institute continue to grow at its current rate and play a major role in continuing to improve professionalism within the proper

Flat-owners up and down the country are sick and tired of poor management, rip-off buildings insurance and spiralling management charges. But acquiring the freehold for your block is not the “silver bullet” cure-all that it may seem at first sight. I have worked with literally thousands of flat-owners who are delighted when we explain the process for buying out their freeholder and becoming “masters of their own destiny”. “What could be better?” they think. This money-grabbing crook that causes them not

A neighbour causing noise or other nuisance in a flat in a block or conversion presents a legal as well as a social problem. This article looks at the issues and the possible remedies open to managing agents and lessees to tackle the problems of noise and nuisance from neighbours.   Noise and other nuisance can reduce the quality of life for lessees, particularly those living in close proximity in blocks of flats. Loud music, shouting or banging and drilling by DIY enthusiasts are the most frequent caus

Right to Manage has been around a while now, with mixed reactions. As manager of their specialist companies unit, Joe Cressy of Jordans has been instrumental in the incorporation of a great many RTM companies. Here he looks at the regulations and practical issues that any tenants considering forming a Right to Manage company should be aware of. The provisions of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (the "Act"), relating to the statutory right to manage, were implemented on 30 September 2003. The

Darren Pither of Grays Inn Estates examines the historic context of block management, looks at how the profession must embrace change and explains the marketing opportunities and challenges facing agents in what is an unorthodox market. The management of blocks of flats has for a long time, been a rather imprecise activity. Let’s briefly look at the profession historically. Management was carried out by chartered surveyors or the freeholders. However, there are many examples where the flat owners manage

Mira Bar-Hillel was born in Israel in 1946. She grew up in Jersusalem and, after 18 months’ national service with the Israeli Defence Force, graduated from the Hebrew University with a BA in Russian Studies. She was the first woman in her country to be a radio news reporter, working for ‘The Voice of Israel’. After moving to London in 1972, she began writing regularly on property and leaseholders’ rights for the Evening Standard in 1982 and has since won numerous awards for her journalism. Mira Bar-Hille

New regulations governing disputes between landlords and local authorities in relation to the Housing Act 2004 came into force on April 13th. The Government-sponsored Residential Property Tribunal Service (RPTS), has been given a wide range of new jurisdictions, which will enable it to determine appeals over new legislation implemented under the Act. Under the Act, local authorities will assess housing conditions using the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System, which replaces the old housing fitnes

Sir, Customer service must be two of the most overused words in the English vocabulary – well those and “we care!” - but I wonder how many companies really think about what service they are giving, can give or should give, as opposed to paying lip-service and going through the motions. My experience of property management in general, and residential block management in particular, is that really what managing agents want is to not give service and quite frankly the customer is a nuisance. Now this may als

A year after we bought our freehold, I was somewhat stunned to hear a usually clued-up neighbour announce: "We can do what we like now we don't have a lease. " We do, of course, still have a lease. And we're not only bound by it as tenants. We've assumed all the landlord's responsibilities. Enfranchisement isn't a happy ending, it's a new beginning. And it comes with ongoing costs that blocks don't always consider when they're raising money for the actual purchase. Yes, it's great that your home is no l

Property managers frequently complain that they would be able to manage their properties far more efficiently if only lessees would pay their service charges on time. Getting lessees to pay what is due is for some property managers a full time job, leaving little time to spend actually doing what they do best (i.e. manage properties). By Shaun Jardine Services charges usually encompass a variety of headings but generally will include: - Costs of management Maintenance Insurance Improveme