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What our customers are asking:

What is causing the severe housing crisis in Britain?

The housing crisis in Britain is primarily caused by a shortage of housing supply. A significant disparity exists between the demand for housing and the number of homes available, leading to skyrocketing house prices, spiralling rents and limited availability.

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What is the extent of the shrinking of the HMO market?

There is a drop in the number of HMO properties by 21,000 over two years.

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What is the purpose of the Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities Committee's investigation into shared ownership?

The committee's inquiry aims to assess whether shared ownership genuinely provides an affordable path to homeownership and identify the obstacles preventing individuals from achieving complete homeownership.  Shared ownership faces concerns about its afford...

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We have a number of electric heaters in the common areas. The directors mindful of the costs of running such heaters wish to keep the heat level down. However some owners, and more often or not tenants wish the temperature to be higher. Has anyone had any experience of this and can recommend a minimum temperature.

the answer is it would be unlikely that the lease requires there to be heaters int he common parts 99% of blocks do not have heaters in the common parts if one were to choose what temperature they should be at I would suggest adopt the usual temperature level recomme...

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A lot of the directors' time is wasted in sending reminders to leaseholders who do not pay their service charge on the due date or who pay the wrong amount. To encourage prompt payment we recently informed everyone that in future we would impose an administration charge of Г‚ВЈ30 for late payment. However one leaseholder has said that this is illegal. We would be glad of your opinion on this matter. Although our lease agreement does not state explicitly that we can levy such a charge, it does state that the lessee shall "pay all rates taxes assessments charges impositions and outgoings....assessed or charged.... upon the owner etc (Clause 2 (1) b.

no this is not illegal I refer you to Schedule 11 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 which you can read up on at opsi.gov.uk the home for UK legislation your only consideration is whether 30 is reasonable and I would say from my experience it is.

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Do we need to continue to run two companies (the freehold company and the right to manage company? We also have a residents association do we need this also? Can they be merged together? And, do we still need to run 2 AGM's?

Post the Companies Act 2006 need to run an AGM for any company UNLESS the Memorandum & Articles of Association specifically require you to do so companies or 1? The answer is that 1 company has to consume the other and here lies your problem. Your Freehold compan...

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We have 2 blocks on our estate - the leases provide that we collect service charges as a whole not block by block. At a previous AGM it was minuted that each block should have its own reserve towards its own repairs. This has been the convention since, but now this is being objected to by some and we need to understand how sound our decision was.

Sadly, you have fallen foul of the misconception that company resolutions can change leases. This is NEVER the case, so the minutes and intention is not enforceable in law an AGM should consider only the company accounts to be filed with companies house service charg...

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What is the objective of the Building Safety Act 2022?

The Building Safety Act 2022 aims to regulate and fix the responsibility to bear the cost of repairs for the remediation of building safety issues.

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What incidents are not anti-social behaviour?

Kids playing, incorrect parking and day-to-day noise are some examples of incidents that are not anti-social behaviour.  

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Why Do Most Home Moving Happen Around Boxing Day

People keen to start a new life in a new place believe the New Year is the right time to make a move.

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What is the significance of the Court of Appeal's decision in the Avon Ground Rents case?

The Court of Appeal's decision grants shared ownership leaseholders the same legal rights as other private sector leaseholders, ensuring their eligibility for the right to manage their properties.

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What Is The Levelling Up Fund?

Levelling Up was launched to make the rich and poor areas of the country more equal. The aim was to create more jobs and support the economy.

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What powers does the BSR have?

The BSR has various powers to fulfill its regulatory responsibilities. It can take enforcement actions, such as issuing penalties and prohibition notices, to ensure compliance with building safety standards. The BSR can also recover costs from regulated parties.Botto...

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How do you get rid of Silverfish?

Some simple advice to get rid of silverfish if you are a leaseholder in a block of flats are:Remove their food source: you don’t want to be sharing food with pests, so seal your dried goods in airtight containers. If silverfish won’t be able to access their favored m...

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What recommendations has the CMA proposed to address the identified problems it identified with the housing market?

Recommendations include requiring councils to adopt amenities on new housing estates, appointing a New Home Ombudsman, streamlining planning systems, and incentivising builders to diversify tenures and home types.

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How does the new mortgage charter benefit borrowers?

The charter allows borrowers to communicate with their lender without impacting their credit score, provides the option to switch to interest-only or extend the mortgage term without credit score consequences, and offers measures to avoid repossession in extreme circ...

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What are the benefits of a country having fiscal rules?

Fiscal rules help instill discipline in government finances to maintain sustainable debt levels. They also contribute to economic stability by creating a more predictable economic environment.

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How will the proposed changes impact housing development, particularly in the build-to-rent sector?

Construction industry experts are concerned about the potential impact on new housing development, especially in the build-to-rent sector. Uncertainties surrounding exemptions and payment schedules raise concerns about the practicality and viability of such developme...

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What is the purpose of the updated approach to publications by RSH?

RSH's updated approach to publications aims to ensure an equal emphasis on economic and consumer regulation of social housing, facilitating improvements in housing quality and services provided by all landlords.What are the key standards introduced by RSH for social ...

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What do the UK Household Costs Indices (HCIs) cover?

The HCIs estimate inflation rates experienced by different household groups in the UK.

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What is the percentage rise in rents in London in 2021-22?

Rents in London grew by 15 percent during 2021-22.

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Which government department is driving the net zero 2050 agenda?

The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is drawing up plans to help the government achieve a net zero target without placing excessive burdens on consumers and businesses.

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What is the government’s doing to make lease extensions easier?

The government will introduce legislation to make valuation easier for lease extensions and also make the process of lease extension less hassling. Freeholders can gain control of their buildings and carry out the required measures.

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Is it a time-consuming process?

No. According to experts, the verification will take just a few minutes.

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Is Wembley a good example of a 15-minute city?

Yes. Wembley offers easy access to many amenities that can be reached by walk or a ride within minutes. Well-planned regeneration and careful planning have made it possible.

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Who is affected the most by the rising mortgage rates?

First-time buyers will find it challenging to own a home as they must spend a significant percentage of their pay on a mortgage.

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What is the area covered by Wembley?

Wembley covers an 85-acre live-work space around the stadium. There are 5,000 new homes planned by Quintain.

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Why is the RPC's opinion on the Impact Assessment important?

The RPC's opinion on the impact assessment is crucial because it helps government departments strengthen their evidence and analysis. It assists ministers in making informed decisions and enables parliamentary scrutiny of regulatory proposals. Publishing the RPC's op...

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What is the role of the Renters Reform Coalition in relation to the Renters Reform Bill?

The Renters Reform Coalition is a collective advocating for renters' rights. They are urging tenants to contact their MPs and call for stronger renter reforms as the Renters Reform Bill progresses through Parliament.Bottom of Form

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What are the criteria for establishing neighbourhood forums?

There are simple criteria for establishing neighbourhood forums.  New and existing residents and organizations must form voluntary and community groups to take responsibility for fulfilling the programs of the forums.

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Ask our Experts

What our customers are asking:

What is causing the severe housing crisis in Britain?

What is the extent of the shrinking of the HMO market?

There is a drop in the number of HMO properties by 21,000 over two years.

What is the purpose of the Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities Committee's investigation into shared ownership?

We have a number of electric heaters in the common areas. The directors mindful of the costs of running such heaters wish to keep the heat level down. However some owners, and more often or not tenants wish the temperature to be higher. Has anyone had any experience of this and can recommend a minimum temperature.

A lot of the directors' time is wasted in sending reminders to leaseholders who do not pay their service charge on the due date or who pay the wrong amount. To encourage prompt payment we recently informed everyone that in future we would impose an administration charge of Г‚ВЈ30 for late payment. However one leaseholder has said that this is illegal. We would be glad of your opinion on this matter. Although our lease agreement does not state explicitly that we can levy such a charge, it does state that the lessee shall "pay all rates taxes assessments charges impositions and outgoings....assessed or charged.... upon the owner etc (Clause 2 (1) b.

Do we need to continue to run two companies (the freehold company and the right to manage company? We also have a residents association do we need this also? Can they be merged together? And, do we still need to run 2 AGM's?

We have 2 blocks on our estate - the leases provide that we collect service charges as a whole not block by block. At a previous AGM it was minuted that each block should have its own reserve towards its own repairs. This has been the convention since, but now this is being objected to by some and we need to understand how sound our decision was.

What is the objective of the Building Safety Act 2022?

The Building Safety Act 2022 aims to regulate and fix the responsibility to bear the cost of repairs for the remediation of building safety issues.

What incidents are not anti-social behaviour?

Kids playing, incorrect parking and day-to-day noise are some examples of incidents that are not anti-social behaviour.  

Why Do Most Home Moving Happen Around Boxing Day

People keen to start a new life in a new place believe the New Year is the right time to make a move.

What is the significance of the Court of Appeal's decision in the Avon Ground Rents case?

The Court of Appeal's decision grants shared ownership leaseholders the same legal rights as other private sector leaseholders, ensuring their eligibility for the right to manage their properties.

What Is The Levelling Up Fund?

Levelling Up was launched to make the rich and poor areas of the country more equal. The aim was to create more jobs and support the economy.

What powers does the BSR have?

How do you get rid of Silverfish?

What recommendations has the CMA proposed to address the identified problems it identified with the housing market?

How does the new mortgage charter benefit borrowers?

What are the benefits of a country having fiscal rules?

Fiscal rules help instill discipline in government finances to maintain sustainable debt levels. They also contribute to economic stability by creating a more predictable economic environment.

How will the proposed changes impact housing development, particularly in the build-to-rent sector?

What is the purpose of the updated approach to publications by RSH?

What do the UK Household Costs Indices (HCIs) cover?

The HCIs estimate inflation rates experienced by different household groups in the UK.

What is the percentage rise in rents in London in 2021-22?

Rents in London grew by 15 percent during 2021-22.

Which government department is driving the net zero 2050 agenda?

The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is drawing up plans to help the government achieve a net zero target without placing excessive burdens on consumers and businesses.

What is the government’s doing to make lease extensions easier?

Is it a time-consuming process?

No. According to experts, the verification will take just a few minutes.

Is Wembley a good example of a 15-minute city?

Yes. Wembley offers easy access to many amenities that can be reached by walk or a ride within minutes. Well-planned regeneration and careful planning have made it possible.

Who is affected the most by the rising mortgage rates?

First-time buyers will find it challenging to own a home as they must spend a significant percentage of their pay on a mortgage.

What is the area covered by Wembley?

Wembley covers an 85-acre live-work space around the stadium. There are 5,000 new homes planned by Quintain.