What our customers are asking:
Can you sue a property management company for negligence uk?
In short yes, however there are quite a few steps to go through initially. Firstly any complaint against a managing agent is best coming from a Residents Association, a Right to Manage Company (RTM) or a Residents Management Company (RMC) as this collective voice wil...
Read moreRead by(1422)
What is the standard floor area of a three-bedroom house in the UK?
The standard size of a three-bedroom UK house is 88 square meters. As a comparison a typical victorian bay fronted two storey house with a side staircase and two storey back addition would be around 100 square metres..
Read moreRead by(1182)
Section 22 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (LTA 1985) in the United Kingdom gives a tenant the right to inspect and to be given copies of documents supporting the amount they are being charged in service charges by their landlords.
Non-Compliance with Section 22SummarySection 22 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (LTA 1985) in the United Kingdom gives a tenant the right to inspect and to be given copies of documents supporting the amount they are being charged in service charges by their landl...
Read moreRead by(786)
How much do management companies charge?
Managing agent fees vary throughought the country anything form £250 per annum ber flat plus VAT to as much as £500 per unit for higher end blocks with high levels of amenity. A fair and reasonable level for a 2 bedroom property within the M25 should be around the £2...
Read moreRead by(686)
What are section 20 qualifying works?
In essence any works to a block of flats costing more than £250 per property will by law trigger a Section 20 (Landlord and Tenant Act) Consultation process.This is good news for all residents throughout the country owning leasehold flats who are not necessarily dir...
Read moreRead by(641)
What is a reasonable service charge?
What even is a fair service charge ?Normally your freehold and/ or managing agent agree the required service charges for your block. There is no set level defined by a lease or enshrined in law. The estimates laid out for itmes in service charge for your block do nee...
Read moreRead by(557)
What does service charge include?
Service charges for blocks of flats are designed to cover all necessary items of expenditure to ensure the building firstly is safe and complies with all the minimum health and safety requirements laid out in law and also the building is maintained to a good standard...
Read moreRead by(493)
Can a freeholder appoint a managing agent?
Yes they can and often do. Developers often pre sell the ground rent on leasehold flats to developers well before the block of flats is finished. In this way they guarantee a bonus revenue stream over and above the profit margin they have forecast for the buid.The pr...
Read moreRead by(361)
How should we approach the problem of leases, keep carpeted clauses - surely these are out-dated with modern wooden flooring?
Keep carpeted clauses are probably now considered a 'primitive way' of deadening noise arising from "impact sound" particularly in older properties where ceiling/floor insulation schemes are not up to modern standards. Many leases include a "keep carpeted" clause. Le...
Read moreRead by(302)
How do I complain about a managing agent ?
There are various ways to do this with a few governing bodies. The most regulated body governing managing agents would be the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) whom have the most reprisals for their members and indeed any unsatisfied complaints would rend...
Read moreRead by(262)
What is a rtm company?
An RTM stands for a Right to Manage Company. It is quite common for a developer or Freeholder to appoint their chosen managing agent when the last flat is sold in the block of flats. If this managing agent is perceived by the residents to be inadequate, expensive or ...
Read moreRead by(235)
What can the property ombudsman do?
If for any reason residents are not satisfied with any aspect of how teir block is managed and feel they have not had an adequate response by their agent they are at will to make a complaint to the industry ombudsmen. The main body for this would be the Royal Institu...
Read moreRead by(214)
The case of FirstPort Property Services Limited v Tenants [2018] involves a dispute concerning the reasonableness and apportionment of service charges charged to tenants of a residential development by FirstPort Property Services Limited.
FirstPort Property Services Limited v Tenants [2018]SummaryThe case of FirstPort Property Services Limited v Tenants [2018] involves a dispute concerning the reasonableness and apportionment of service charges charged to tenants of a residential development by FirstP...
Read moreRead by(184)
The dispute concerns the reasonableness and recoverability of certain service charges charged against Mr Garside and another appellant, lessees under a long lease, by RFYC Ltd, which owns the freehold of a property.
Garside & Anor v RFYC Ltd & Anor [2011] UKUT 367 (LC) (15 September 2011)SummaryThe decision in Garside & Anor v RFYC Ltd & Anor [2011] UKUT 367 (LC) was a case whose determination and decision required proper understanding and enforcement of provisio...
Read moreRead by(155)
Whether the tenant's repairing covenant applied to rebuild a wall that had become structurally unsound in the meantime.
Lurcott v Wakely & Wheeler [1911] 1 K.B. 905 (17 February 1911)SummaryLurcott v Wakely & Wheeler [1911] 1 K.B. 905 is a leading case in the English law of property, upon the construction of repair covenants in leases. The question was one of whether the tenan...
Read moreRead by(143)
Whether the local authority can be liable to pay for the damage caused by public-land trees whose roots extend and cause damage to private land?
Delaware Mansions Ltd and Others v Westminster City Council [2001] 44 EG 150SummaryThe case of Delaware Mansions Ltd and Others v Westminster City Council [2001] 44 EG 150 deals with a local authority's liability for damage caused by the roots of a tree to private pr...
Read moreRead by(140)
How do I set up an rtm?
Right to Manage Company or (RTM's) are fairly straight forward to set up. Firstly you will need the agreement of over 50% of leaseholders. Then the best practice would be to appoint a specialist RTM solicitor who will take you through the steps and on your behalf ser...
Read moreRead by(134)
What is compartmentation and what materials are used to separate compartments with a building?
The word compartmentation is used to define the fire separation between escape routes and between flats. A compartment is simply a part of a building bounded by walls and floors that will resist the passage of fire for a specified period of time. All penetrations thr...
Read moreRead by(128)
Is Salford a safe place to live?
Like any city in the UK, Salford has areas with varying levels of safety. Recently, many safety improvement measures have been initiated, so many neighbourhoods are considered safe.
Read moreRead by(121)
What is the average size of UK houses?
The average size of UK houses is 76 square metres. This could be configured a small 3 bed flat or small 2 bed house.
Read moreRead by(120)
How do you change a managing agent?
It is actually more simple than you think to change your managing agent depending on who appointed them in the first place. If the developer of the block of leasehold flats appointed the managing agent then normally after the last flat is sold there are a few first s...
Read moreRead by(119)
What is a cluster flat in the context of PBSA accommodation?
A cluster flay refers to typically 5 or 6 bedrooms with ensuite shower facilities built around a central kitchen/eating and sometimes sitting/lounge area too.
Read moreRead by(106)
What is the role of the NRLA?
The National Residential Landlords Association is the UK's largest membership organisation for private residential landlords. They help members deal with many challenges and offer comprehensive learning resources available in the sector.
Read moreRead by(104)
Investigation about adverse possession of land law was claimed and the matters regarding the rights of squatters against property owners?
Quinn v Scott [1965] 1 WLR 1004SummaryQuinn v Scott [1965] 1 WLR 1004 is a landmark case registered in the English land court where adverse possession of land law was claimed and the matters regarding the rights of squatters against property owners have been put unde...
Read moreRead by(97)
What rooms are considered bedrooms under statutory overcrowding rules?
Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, box rooms, studies, home offices, and large kitchens (considering safety and reasonability) are all counted as rooms for sleeping.
Read moreRead by(93)
What is Moss Side famous for?
Moss Side stands apart for its multiculturism. It is a popular destination for the best cuisines, music, and festivals. Moss Side is home to the Manchester Academy and Alexandra Park.
Read moreRead by(85)
Selective Landlord Licensing: When should landlords apply for a licence?
Owners of properties that fall into the Selective Landlord Licencing compliance criteria must apply for a licence as soon as the scheme begins. If they do not apply, it may result in prosecution and an unlimited fine.
Read moreRead by(82)
Whether or not the service charges charged thereunder by Charlegrove Securities Ltd were reasonable and conformed with the terms of the lease.
GILJE V CHARLEGROVE SECURITIES LTD (2003)SummaryGilje v Charlegrove Securities Ltd is a case of actual disagreement between a lessee, Mr. Gilje, and a freeholder, Charlegrove Securities Ltd, about service charges. Fundamentally, the issue was whether or not the servi...
Read moreRead by(82)
What are legal duties and rights between landlords and tenants?
Taber v. MacDonald and Clockscreen Holdings Ltd (1999) 31 HLR 73, the Divisional CourtSummaryOne of the most famous decisions in the field of housing law is Taber v. MacDonald and Clockscreen Holdings Ltd, in the Divisional Court, at (1999) 31 HLR 73. The case debate...
Read moreRead by(79)
When a flat is sold and there are arrears on service charges and/or ground rents what happens? Also if after preparing the year end accounts there is a surplus to redistribute back to the leaseholders, is it the leaseholders at that point that get the refund or the ones that actually paid towards the service charges on account during the year?
The mechanism to help stop sales complete when there are service charge/ground rent arrears is a restriction registered at HM LAnd Registry. This restriction usually requires the Managing Agent to issue a certificate of compliance so that UNLESS a certificate of comp...
Read moreRead by(78)
Ask our Experts
What our customers are asking:
Can you sue a property management company for negligence uk?
In short yes, however there are quite a few steps to go through initially. Firstly any complaint against a managing agent is best coming from a Residents Association, a Right to Manage Company (RTM) or a Residents Management Company (RMC) as this collective voice wil...
Read More
What is the standard floor area of a three-bedroom house in the UK?
The standard size of a three-bedroom UK house is 88 square meters. As a comparison a typical victorian bay fronted two storey house with a side staircase and two storey back addition would be around 100 square metres..
Read More
Section 22 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (LTA 1985) in the United Kingdom gives a tenant the right to inspect and to be given copies of documents supporting the amount they are being charged in service charges by their landlords.
Non-Compliance with Section 22SummarySection 22 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (LTA 1985) in the United Kingdom gives a tenant the right to inspect and to be given copies of documents supporting the amount they are being charged in service charges by their landl...
Read More
How much do management companies charge?
Managing agent fees vary throughought the country anything form £250 per annum ber flat plus VAT to as much as £500 per unit for higher end blocks with high levels of amenity. A fair and reasonable level for a 2 bedroom property within the M25 should be around the £2...
Read More
What are section 20 qualifying works?
In essence any works to a block of flats costing more than £250 per property will by law trigger a Section 20 (Landlord and Tenant Act) Consultation process.This is good news for all residents throughout the country owning leasehold flats who are not necessarily dir...
Read More
What is a reasonable service charge?
What even is a fair service charge ?Normally your freehold and/ or managing agent agree the required service charges for your block. There is no set level defined by a lease or enshrined in law. The estimates laid out for itmes in service charge for your block do nee...
Read More
What does service charge include?
Service charges for blocks of flats are designed to cover all necessary items of expenditure to ensure the building firstly is safe and complies with all the minimum health and safety requirements laid out in law and also the building is maintained to a good standard...
Read More
Can a freeholder appoint a managing agent?
Yes they can and often do. Developers often pre sell the ground rent on leasehold flats to developers well before the block of flats is finished. In this way they guarantee a bonus revenue stream over and above the profit margin they have forecast for the buid.The pr...
Read More
How should we approach the problem of leases, keep carpeted clauses - surely these are out-dated with modern wooden flooring?
Keep carpeted clauses are probably now considered a 'primitive way' of deadening noise arising from "impact sound" particularly in older properties where ceiling/floor insulation schemes are not up to modern standards. Many leases include a "keep carpeted" clause. Le...
Read More
How do I complain about a managing agent ?
There are various ways to do this with a few governing bodies. The most regulated body governing managing agents would be the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) whom have the most reprisals for their members and indeed any unsatisfied complaints would rend...
Read More
What is a rtm company?
An RTM stands for a Right to Manage Company. It is quite common for a developer or Freeholder to appoint their chosen managing agent when the last flat is sold in the block of flats. If this managing agent is perceived by the residents to be inadequate, expensive or ...
Read More
What can the property ombudsman do?
If for any reason residents are not satisfied with any aspect of how teir block is managed and feel they have not had an adequate response by their agent they are at will to make a complaint to the industry ombudsmen. The main body for this would be the Royal Institu...
Read More
The case of FirstPort Property Services Limited v Tenants [2018] involves a dispute concerning the reasonableness and apportionment of service charges charged to tenants of a residential development by FirstPort Property Services Limited.
FirstPort Property Services Limited v Tenants [2018]SummaryThe case of FirstPort Property Services Limited v Tenants [2018] involves a dispute concerning the reasonableness and apportionment of service charges charged to tenants of a residential development by FirstP...
Read More
The dispute concerns the reasonableness and recoverability of certain service charges charged against Mr Garside and another appellant, lessees under a long lease, by RFYC Ltd, which owns the freehold of a property.
Garside & Anor v RFYC Ltd & Anor [2011] UKUT 367 (LC) (15 September 2011)SummaryThe decision in Garside & Anor v RFYC Ltd & Anor [2011] UKUT 367 (LC) was a case whose determination and decision required proper understanding and enforcement of provisio...
Read More
Whether the tenant's repairing covenant applied to rebuild a wall that had become structurally unsound in the meantime.
Lurcott v Wakely & Wheeler [1911] 1 K.B. 905 (17 February 1911)SummaryLurcott v Wakely & Wheeler [1911] 1 K.B. 905 is a leading case in the English law of property, upon the construction of repair covenants in leases. The question was one of whether the tenan...
Read More
Whether the local authority can be liable to pay for the damage caused by public-land trees whose roots extend and cause damage to private land?
Delaware Mansions Ltd and Others v Westminster City Council [2001] 44 EG 150SummaryThe case of Delaware Mansions Ltd and Others v Westminster City Council [2001] 44 EG 150 deals with a local authority's liability for damage caused by the roots of a tree to private pr...
Read More
How do I set up an rtm?
Right to Manage Company or (RTM's) are fairly straight forward to set up. Firstly you will need the agreement of over 50% of leaseholders. Then the best practice would be to appoint a specialist RTM solicitor who will take you through the steps and on your behalf ser...
Read More
What is compartmentation and what materials are used to separate compartments with a building?
The word compartmentation is used to define the fire separation between escape routes and between flats. A compartment is simply a part of a building bounded by walls and floors that will resist the passage of fire for a specified period of time. All penetrations thr...
Read More
Is Salford a safe place to live?
Like any city in the UK, Salford has areas with varying levels of safety. Recently, many safety improvement measures have been initiated, so many neighbourhoods are considered safe.
Read More
What is the average size of UK houses?
The average size of UK houses is 76 square metres. This could be configured a small 3 bed flat or small 2 bed house.
Read More
How do you change a managing agent?
It is actually more simple than you think to change your managing agent depending on who appointed them in the first place. If the developer of the block of leasehold flats appointed the managing agent then normally after the last flat is sold there are a few first s...
Read More
What is a cluster flat in the context of PBSA accommodation?
A cluster flay refers to typically 5 or 6 bedrooms with ensuite shower facilities built around a central kitchen/eating and sometimes sitting/lounge area too.
Read More
What is the role of the NRLA?
The National Residential Landlords Association is the UK's largest membership organisation for private residential landlords. They help members deal with many challenges and offer comprehensive learning resources available in the sector.
Read More
Investigation about adverse possession of land law was claimed and the matters regarding the rights of squatters against property owners?
Quinn v Scott [1965] 1 WLR 1004SummaryQuinn v Scott [1965] 1 WLR 1004 is a landmark case registered in the English land court where adverse possession of land law was claimed and the matters regarding the rights of squatters against property owners have been put unde...
Read More
What rooms are considered bedrooms under statutory overcrowding rules?
Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, box rooms, studies, home offices, and large kitchens (considering safety and reasonability) are all counted as rooms for sleeping.
Read More
What is Moss Side famous for?
Moss Side stands apart for its multiculturism. It is a popular destination for the best cuisines, music, and festivals. Moss Side is home to the Manchester Academy and Alexandra Park.
Read More
Selective Landlord Licensing: When should landlords apply for a licence?
Owners of properties that fall into the Selective Landlord Licencing compliance criteria must apply for a licence as soon as the scheme begins. If they do not apply, it may result in prosecution and an unlimited fine.
Read More
Whether or not the service charges charged thereunder by Charlegrove Securities Ltd were reasonable and conformed with the terms of the lease.
GILJE V CHARLEGROVE SECURITIES LTD (2003)SummaryGilje v Charlegrove Securities Ltd is a case of actual disagreement between a lessee, Mr. Gilje, and a freeholder, Charlegrove Securities Ltd, about service charges. Fundamentally, the issue was whether or not the servi...
Read More
What are legal duties and rights between landlords and tenants?
Taber v. MacDonald and Clockscreen Holdings Ltd (1999) 31 HLR 73, the Divisional CourtSummaryOne of the most famous decisions in the field of housing law is Taber v. MacDonald and Clockscreen Holdings Ltd, in the Divisional Court, at (1999) 31 HLR 73. The case debate...
Read More
When a flat is sold and there are arrears on service charges and/or ground rents what happens? Also if after preparing the year end accounts there is a surplus to redistribute back to the leaseholders, is it the leaseholders at that point that get the refund or the ones that actually paid towards the service charges on account during the year?
The mechanism to help stop sales complete when there are service charge/ground rent arrears is a restriction registered at HM LAnd Registry. This restriction usually requires the Managing Agent to issue a certificate of compliance so that UNLESS a certificate of comp...
Read More




