New Property Service

BREAKING NEWS

NEW PROPERTY SERVICE
Property management website Avenue was launched by Peverel OM Ltd almost a year ago. A recent survey shows that approximately 90% of residents used the site, with the majority saying that it is easy to use and saves valuable time.

Avenue is the first of its kind in the residential block management industry, and has now undergone some changes amid positive feedback from residents across the UK.

It offers residents instant on-line access to development information, documents, individual financial statements, a secure payment channel, and the option to receive information via SMS text or email. Extra functions have been added to the site, which enable owners to arrange statements by date and to produce a printer-friendly tax year statement. It is also now possible for property owners based overseas to subscribe to the free SMS text service.

For more information, visit www.peverelom.co.uk. 

NEWS ON THE BLOCK MAGAZINE
ISSUE 31 IS ON SALE NOW

• Can you afford to be a flat owner? – Jane Barry of the Evening Standard reports
I'm thinking of buying a house. Well, only for a second, since I live in central London and the only house I could afford would be out in the sticks. But the paradox ¬– that to save money you have to have plenty in the first place – is never more true than when it comes to property. 
www.newsontheblock.com/articles/20070101_20'. 

• Directors' liability insurance – do you really need it?
Buildings insurance is a major expense, yet it is the marginal addition of a small premium to cover the liabilities of volunteer management company directors that seem to concern lessees more! Natalie Hughes argues that the protection this cover affords is something that all directors should insist upon. 
http://www.newsontheblock.com/articles/20070101_14'. 

• The heady subject of working at height.
David Foster explains how the new Work at Height Regulations 2005 affect managing agents and all those working in the residential sector. 
http://www.newsontheblock.com/articles/20070101_10'. 

PLUS: Social housing. The end to lease forfeiture? Interview with Baroness Andrews OBE.

Subscribe today and receive all the benefits of on-the-spot vital information relating to leaseholders.

Visit http://www.newsontheblock.com/ and simply 'click' subscribe or call our subscription hotline 08700 600 663 with your credit card/debit card to hand. Subscribe today and also receive one month's access to www.newsontheblock.com. Total cost just £30. (Remember, if you are a company you can claim this cost as business expenses.)

COMMENT & OPINION

IS THE FUTURE ZERO CARBON?
NHBC, the UK's leading new homes standard setting body and warranty provider has urged industry to engage in the consultation phase of DCLG's zero carbon development document.

NHBC's chief executive Imtiaz Farookhi, said: "The plan for the Code for Sustainable Homes has been long-awaited by the industry and we will need to engage in the consultation phase to ensure the reality meets the aims of the policies for the benefit of consumers.

"It is right that the Government should marry the aims of sustainability to the planning agenda in the Planning Policy Statement but we must be careful to ensure that the system meets the needs of both delivery and sustainability.
"The newly launched National Centre for Excellence in Housing – a joint venture between NHBC and the Building Research Establishment – presents an ideal platform to bring together Government and industry. The Centre will facilitate the formulation of practical and workable solutions to the issue of carbon neutral homes and planning whilst ensuring the interests of the consumer remain paramount".

See the next issue of News on the Block magazine for a detailed feature on environmental matters.

AND FINALLY…

CRACKING UP
Last year's summer was very hot and dry, and followed two relatively dry winters and springs. The incidence of dry summers is becoming more frequent. In 2003 the UK experienced its hottest ever summer temperatures.
The Environment Agency says that the UK is experiencing its driest spell since 1976. But our properties are not happy, and the cracks may soon begin to show.

There are lots of reasons why cracks appear in buildings. The most common are poor design or materials, deterioration and neglect, thermal movement of the structure, and ground movement. Of these, the most serious is a change in ground conditions (usually 'drying out') causing subsidence. Subsidence is most common in houses built before 1965.

The first obvious sign of subsidence is cracks appearing around the house. However, not all cracks are due to subsidence. New properties and recent extensions get minor cracks as the building gradually dries out.  The cracks to be more concerned about are diagonal cracks that appear in internal plasterwork or external brickwork, most usually around doors and windows, or near a corner. Doors and windows may begin to 'stick' as their frames twist. Any crack of over 3mm should be investigated by a surveyor.