We love block management and want to share some handy tips and tricks to do it the right way and ensure block management give leaseholders the best without increasing their costs or losing time. If you’re looking for the services of a block management company, in this article we’ll also tell you what to expect.
What is Block management?
Also known as property management, block management is simply managing the communal areas in blocks of residential flats or commercial offices. As more and more blocks are being built, the need for effective block management is on the rise.
The properties within a block are usually owned by leaseholders who can sometimes also be the residents, although these kinds of residences are typically rented out. The leaseholder is responsible for all the goings-on within the property, while the landlord is in charge of the entire block.
Problems can easily arise when strangers have to share a living space together – and that’s where the services of a block management company like Horizon Block Management become essential.
What to expect from a block management company?
Primarily, a block management company is called upon to keep the peace between residents sharing a space and make sure that potential disagreement triggers are avoided or dealt with in a timely manner.
You can expect them to have more experience and knowledge than a landlord when it comes to these kinds of issues. Here at Horizon Management, we’re sure there’s nothing we haven’t dealt with before!
Services vary between each block management company but the most common are:
- Lift maintenance (if there is a lift)
- Leaseholder liaison
- Building inspections
- Building insurance
- Arranging contractor work (cleaning, hallway maintenance, rubbish disposal)
- Managing the block’s financing and calculating service charges
- Liaising with landlords to understand their requirements
Often, the services offered depend on the requirements of the building and evolve around keeping the block looking good, financially sound and an attractive place to live and invest in.
At the end of the day, a block of apartments is home to its residents and therefore it’s very important people’s homes are managed properly, sympathetically and with the upmost consideration.
If you wish to learn more about what we do, how we wish to raise the standard of the service the industry provides, get in touch!
Who needs Block management?
A landlord will often use block management companies as managing a whole block of flats comes with a unique set of challenges that differ greatly from letting just one property.
They’ll usually pay for the services of a block management company on a monthly basis, so it’s important to make sure that all their needs and requirements are fully understood in order to provide them with excellent an service, build a great reputation and win more customers.
As word of mouth is crucial to growing your business as a block management company, keeping your reputation pristine is essential.
You’ll also need to be good with numbers to ensure that you’re calculating your service charge correctly and fairly.
This is normally done on an annual basis and shouldn’t see any dramatic changes year-on-year – unless there is a need to redecorate due to general wear-and-tear, or the property is damaged severely by something out of human control like a storm.
Ready to get started?
There’s no better time than now. Block management is still fairly new area of property management and there are plenty of opportunities to build a successful business and reputation.
Looking for a block management company yourself?
Look no further. With our experience and knowledge, we can confidently offer an efficient and effective service. If you have any burning questions about what we can do for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Related Articles
- What Are The Responsibilities Of A Block Manager?
- Why Does a Building Need to be Managed?
- Our Guide to Fire Risk Assessments (FRA)
- Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM)
- Residential Management Guide To Lifts
