Articles

A listed building is ‘a building of special architectural or historic interest’. The listed status can cover a whole building, the interior, any attached structures, or later extensions. It is often the age and uniqueness of the building that determines its listed status.

The legislation obliges a Landlord to offer Leaseholders of a qualifying building, the right to acquire the freehold when the Landlord decides they wish to sell their freehold interest.

We know how important proper, pro-active and prudent management is to making your development a great place to live, and we understand the responsibilities, pressures and complexities that property management can create for Directors of developments.

When you buy an apartment in England or Wales, what you usually get is a lease for the property, this essentially means you own (or legally speaking, have exclusive access rights) for a specific number of years to that property.

Leases are usually created for a number of years such as 99 years, 999 years or 125 years. 

As leases get closer to their expiry date, the owner ( leaseholder) should consider whether they wish to extend this lease to retain their possession of the property. As the lease term decreases, the value of the property also decreases and the cost of increasing the lease length increases. Also mortgage lenders invariably have criteria where they insist on a certain minimum number of years left on the lease.

Unfortunately, this is something all RMC directors must consider, but especially those with buildings in major cities. Terror threat levels in the UK have been fluctuating between ‘severe’ and ‘critical’ since August 2014, with the capital and provincial cities being considered at the highest risk.

Under new Fire Safety legislation introduced in 2006, the responsible person for a premise is required to carry out a fire risk assessment.

Businesses no longer need a fire certificate, but evidence of assessments will be required.

If your building has more than 5 regular occupants, the Fire Risk Assessment must be in writing.

The idea of ‘buying’ or ‘owning a leasehold flat’ is a misconception – perpetrated by estate agents in my opinion. It’s a misconception because you’re not buying the flat – you’re buying a lease, which entitles you to use the flat, for an awfully long time.

Everyone is currently looking at quick and easy ways to save money on their energy bills. We have listed a few simple tips to cut costs.

It can be surprising just how regularly they need to be checked and serviced. However, they’re a vital piece of equipment in the protection of people and businesses, so neglecting a fire extinguisher’s maintenance could result in a disaster.

Asbestos remains the UK’s biggest workplace killer; 20 tradesmen die a week from past exposure to Asbestos. This is why it is so important that we control Asbestos and ensure that people (such as Contractors, Tenants and Property Managers) are not exposed to it during their everyday working activities.

Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly popular option for motorists both in the UK and further afield – and with good reason. As we continue to learn more about our impact on the planet, many of us are looking for a greener alternative for our everyday travel needs.

There are a lot of considerations that need to be made when managing a block or property. From collecting service charges to managing everyday maintenance, an effective block manager will wear many hats. But one consideration that may often go unnoticed is the importance of Reinstatement Cost Assessments. In this post, we take a deep dive into Reinstatement Cost Assessments, answering all the most important questions, from what they are to how they work for different property types.

Becoming a leaseholder is a common occurrence for property buyers – in fact, the majority of flats in the UK are sold under a leasehold agreement. But while leasehold dwellings accounted for 19% of dwellings in England in 2019-20, moving into a leasehold flat or house for the first time can have its surprises.

A block management company is a professional property management company responsible for managing and maintaining communal areas and facilities in blocks of flats or apartments. These companies are appointed by the freeholder and are accountable for the building's...

Owning a property in any capacity is a huge responsibility that can come with a seemingly unlimited number of considerations. I mean, what happens if something goes wrong? What if you have to arrange for repairs or improvements to be made? What are you liable for if things don’t go according to plan?

Leaseholders have specific rights regarding service charges, which are fees charged by the landlord or management company to cover the cost of maintaining and repairing the building and any communal areas. These rights are designed to ensure that leaseholders are...

While the name might draw up connotations of weddings and nuptials, ‘marriage value’ is actually a term used to refer to the value of a leasehold property. More specifically, it refers to the difference between a leasehold property’s value before and after the 80-year lease is extended. In other words, the Marriage Value of a property reflects the extra market value of a leasehold property once the lease has been extended.

As a fundamental part of the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report, The Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 have now been introduced. The Regulations are being introduced under Article 24 of the Fire Safety Order 2005.

Several issues can become grounds for contention between landlords and leaseholders – particularly regarding service charges and ground rents.

The property market is constantly changing and evolving, so getting a handle on block management can be rather difficult.

The Right to Manage (RTM) is a right introduced through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, which allows leaseholders of residential properties to take over the management of their building or development from the landlord or managing agent. It will enable...

When it comes to the management of a building, you may hear a number of terms thrown around. It is understandable to assume that some of these terms – such as “property management” and “block management” – are just various ways of referring to the same thing. But that’s not always the case.

When a person buys a property, they agree to one of two kinds of agreements: a freehold agreement or a leasehold agreement. In the UK, most houses are purchased on a freehold basis.

For leaseholders living in a block of flats, the management of their block can make the difference between being a happy resident or being miserable.

A Fire Risk Assessment is a review undertaken of a building to assess its fire risk and offer recommendations to make the building safer, if necessary.

Most blocks of flats will have a residential association that takes care of managing leaseholders. Having a managing agent is a great way to help set the residential association apart from the leaseholders and ensure that unbiased decisions are made going into the...

Today, the dangers of asbestos and related materials are well-documented, with the vast majority of the public now aware of these risks. But that isn’t to say that asbestos has been completely irradicated in the UK.

One of the cornerstones of providing a safe environment for the residents of a building is the management of electrical safety in shared spaces. Landowners, directors of residential management companies or resident associations, and property managers must ensure the...

Buying or renting a home can be a complicated matter in itself. So, when terms such as “leasehold enfranchisement” begin getting batted around too, it can be easy to let confusion take over.

Not all property management companies are created equal. We look at some myths surrounding residential property management. Property Managers Charge Too Much Money As with any business, you get what you pay for. If you want cheap service, then expect poor quality...

Property management is a company hired to handle all of the day-to-day operations and responsibilities of a residential or commercial property, including upkeep, maintenance, tenant screening, and rent collection. Asset Management is the company that handles the...

The law is clear that if you are a Landlord, Freeholder or Block Manager you will need to ensure that the properties you manage are safe and free from health hazards (HSE)

‘Condensation dampness’ is a condition that affects millions of homes in the UK. This guide should help you control and prevent condensation and mould within your property.

Block management simply put is managing blocks of flats where the individual properties are owned by various leaseholders. As the managing agent, our main roles include; arranging for maintenance, collecting service charges, looking after the communal areas, and a number of important legal responsibilities.

A Fire Risk Assessment is a review undertaken of a building to assess its fire risk and offer recommendations to make the building safer, if necessary.

Non-payment of service charges and / or ground rents are often one of the main areas for disputes between leaseholders and landlords or their managing agents.

These are two fundamentally different forms of legal ownership

The Government’s Building Safety Bill, first announced in draft form in July 2020, is the next ‘key step in an extensive overhaul to building safety legislation’ according to then-Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick

A solid, legally-binding lease is essential….

A listed building is ‘a building of special architectural or historic interest’. The listed status can cover a whole building, the interior, any attached structures, or later extensions. It is often the age and uniqueness of the building that determines its listed...

Ten important fire door facts you need to know. 1. What do fire doors do? Fire doors create a barrier from fire and toxic cold smoke and prevent it from travelling around a building, keeping the damage to a small area, allowing for evacuation, stay put and safe access...

Horizon want to work with residents to help make the world a better place for future generations. The information below contains a number of suggestions that could both save you money and collectively make a very positive impact on the planet. We want to do our part...

With a leasehold, you own the property (subject to the terms of the leasehold) for the length of your lease agreement with the landlord. When the lease ends, ownership returns to the landlord, unless you can extend the lease. You won't technically own the property...

We see quite a few misconceptions when it comes to leasehold properties. Some of the most common are briefly described below. I have bought my flat, you can’t tell me what to do. As a leaseholder, you don’t own the bricks and mortar of the flat, nor do you own the...

If you buy a leasehold property, you normally have to pay the freeholder “ground rent” as the freeholder is leasing you the land that the house is stood on. This is because as a leaseholder, you don’t own the bricks and mortar of the property, nor do you own the land...

A solid, legally-binding lease is essential, but a good building management company is the key to making sure the obligations in the lease are kept.

Ensuring you have insurance cover for buildings is essential. However, it is not simply a case of being insured, you need to make sure the building is valued correctly. If you are under-insured, you would be leaving yourself exposed to potential costs in the event of...

The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill 2021-22 sought to restrict ground rents on newly created long leases on houses and flats to a peppercorn amount (a token of no financial value). The Bill received Royal assent on Tuesday 8 February 2022 and is now law. Why has...

During the course of the conveyancing process your solicitor may have discovered a restriction on the title to the flat in favour of the landlord or the residential management company that would prevent you being registered as the new proprietor or owner unless the...

This is a guide to the typical events in selling a leasehold property. It is good for leaseholders to have a general understanding of the process and how they can assist in the sale. One of the most important documents you will require (and should already have) is a...

We love block management and want to share some handy tips….

Lightning strikes the ground over 350,000 times a year in the UK alone and according to Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents between 30-60 people are struck by lightning each year in the UK, with 5-10% of those resulting in a fatality. Lightning strikes pose...

Both these terms refer to legal rights provided to all leaseholders under the Landlord and Tenant law, which must be upheld by freeholders. In return, freeholders are entitled to receive a premium as compensation for their financial loss. Enfranchisement What is...

The property sector and customers need confidence in a profession that are able to manage and lead in technical and specialist disciplines so the Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM) is the professional body for property management professionals and...

A quarter of all insurance claims made on flats are for damage caused by water leaks. The damage costs millions of pounds and causes heartache to those involved and disputes between neighbours over who should pay. Preventing Water Leaks in Flats Bathrooms & Toilets...

As with all electro/mechanical equipment, lifts reach a point when parts begin to fail, and the reliability of service is compromised. The balancing act is to pre-empt this before major component failure, resulting in a lift being out of service for a prolonged...

Meeting fire safety requirements is critical to people’s lives, property, and belongings, especially in blocks of flats. Landlords and their agents, tenants and homeowners all have responsibilities regarding this vital matter. And every resident should know what to do...

If your neighbour is making a noise that is causing you distress you are not alone as noise disturbance is by far the most common anti-social behaviour reported to the police, local authorities and housing associations. It could include anything from loud music and...

A Absent landlord A landlord described as ‘absent’ is one who cannot be contacted. If the lessees want to form an RTM company but are unable to contact the landlord, they can make a legal application acquire the right to manage. Abstract of title A legal document...

Want to know more about leases? ….

Whenever the interest of land or property is up for exchange….