What our customers are asking:
Who are most likely to be affected by the rise in energy bills?
The elders and those yet to settle into their jobs are among the most vulnerable. The elders, because their aging bodies cannot cope with the freezing temperature, and the recently employed ones because they will not be able to raise more money to pay the extra charges.
Read more
Read by(22)
How many fix term mortgages will end in 2023 to 2024?
More than two million mortgages will end their fixed term between 2023 and 2024. With rising interest rates, it will simply cost landlords more to refinance then, further complicating the market situation.Most tenants want to maintain the status quo and avoid paying ...
Read moreRead by(22)
How did coworking spaces become popular before the pandemic?
Before the pandemic, the GIG economy boosted the development of coworking spaces. Coworking spaces were popular among freelancers, professionals, and entrepreneurs who wanted to work in a professional environment for better networking opportunities.
Read moreRead by(22)
The questions of the reasonableness of the service charges and, if applicable, the construction of the arrangement previously made between the parties concerning the management.
Poynders Court Limited v GLS Property Management Ltd [2012] UKUT 339 (LC)SummaryThe case of Poynders Court Limited v GLS Property Management Ltd [2012] UKUT 339 (LC) intends to resolve the issue between Poynders Court Limited, a company for residential management, an...
Read moreRead by(22)
What happens if the New Homes Ombudsman Service finds a developer in breach of the New Homes Quality Code?
If the New Homes Ombudsman Service determines that a developer has breached the New Homes Quality Code, they can order the developer to rectify the issues, provide compensation to the homebuyer, or take other appropriate actions to address the breach.
Read moreRead by(22)
Establish the matter with relation to the proper construction and application of the lease terms and, in particular, the management and the service element charges that were to be produced to the lease holder.
Gell v 32 St John's Road (Eastbourne) Management Company Ltd [2021]SummaryGell v 32 St John's Road (Eastbourne) Management Company Ltd [2021] is predominantly developed along the lines of the singular issue that challenges the common sense of the service charges by t...
Read moreRead by(22)
How did COVID-19 affect short-term and long-term let-downs in the UK?
The pandemic boosted short-term lets with a surge in domestic travel. Landlords shifted to tourist markets like the Lake District and Cornwall, displacing locals. The UK staycation trend has continued post-pandemic.
Read moreRead by(22)
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.
Read moreRead by(22)
What Is BBRS?
The Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS) is an independent, not-for-profit service. It was established to resolve disputes between SMEs and their banks.
Read moreRead by(22)
What is the BBRS Contemporary Scheme?
The BBRS Contemporary Scheme covers cases registered from 1 April 2019 onwards for businesses with a turnover of up to 10m per annum and total assets of up to 7.5m.
Read moreRead by(22)
What is the housing situation in the UK?
The UK is facing a serious housing shortage marked by a persistent scarcity of residences. The government aims to build 300,000 new homes annually to meet demand and maintain affordability.
Read moreRead by(22)
What are zero deposit schemes, and why are they controversial?
Zero deposit schemes require tenants to pay a fee equivalent to one week's rent instead of the traditional five-week deposit. They are controversial because the fee is non-refundable, tenants remain liable for damages, and additional costs may be incurred.
Read moreRead by(22)
What does the ruling mean for building owners in Newham?
The verdict serves as a clear warning to all building owners in Newham, underlining the necessity to promptly prioritise fire safety measures, including removing hazardous cladding. Failure to comply may lead to legal prosecution.
Read moreRead by(22)
What is the new 2024 energy efficiency target for landlords in England and Wales?
By 2030, all privately rented properties in England and Wales must meet an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of Band C. This applies to private and social housing as part of the government's effort to improve energy efficiency.
Read moreRead by(22)
What are some examples of digital technologies in ground rent management?
Digital technologies include ground rent collection software that employs robotic accounting: demands, allocations, and bank reconciliation. By using direct debit the ground rent collector can manage what the customer needs to pay and rent reviews cannot be missed. ...
Read moreRead by(22)
What does a bank reconciliation entail?
A bank reconciliation is a routine check that should be carried out on any bank account to ensure that the cheques written leave and clear the account and that cash paid in is received by the bank. Monies that have not been received (i.e. perhaps lost in the banking ...
Read moreRead by(22)
Is freehold property good to buy?
Leasehold enfranchisement……When undertaking a valuation for negotiation the Chartered Valuation Surveyor has to interpret the right evidence for the right situation to bring maximum benefit to the Client.
Read moreRead by(22)
I am a developer of a new build scheme involving flats and commercial units. The buyer of a commercial unit is not agreeing to a restriction at HM Land Registry preventing a sale of the unit without the Managing Agent issuing a compliance certificate. What kind of risk is he to me?
A restriction requiring a compliance certificate is critical. Its purpose is to ensure that arrears (and any other non-compliance/breach) are made known to a buyer before they take registration of the property. Effectively, the buyer cannot become the registered prop...
Read moreRead by(22)
Why do we need a Company to run the block/site?
A company is need to run the block or site as under UK law only 4 people can own a title at land registry. The involvement of Freehold & Resident Management Companies enable larger groups of people to be in control of a block.
Read moreRead by(22)
What measures are proposed to address concerns about the building safety levy's impact on viability?
The government has proposed implementing differential levy rates based on local house prices and offering exemptions for smaller-scale developments. However, questions remain about the effectiveness of these measures in alleviating the financial burden on developers ...
Read moreRead by(22)
How does the Energy Company Obligation scheme 'ECO4' scheme help the UK households?
The UK government's ECO4 scheme provides free energy efficiency upgrades to qualifying households as grants. These free upgrades help them reduce energy requirements, electricity bills, and carbon emissions. The ECO4 grants fund wall or cavity insulation and new heat...
Read moreRead by(21)
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.
Read moreRead by(21)
What measures should the UK government focus on to overcome the housing crisis?
The UK government needs to primarily focus on the supply side of the problem. This involves building more houses by providing available land and offering incentives for construction. Also, it is crucial to prioritise the quality and affordability of both new and exis...
Read moreRead by(21)
What are vital aspects of the law of the landlord and tenant?
Iperion Investments Corp. V Broadwalk House Residents Ltd [1995] 2 EGLR 47SummaryIperion Investments Corp. v Broadwalk House Residents Ltd [1995] 2 EGLR 47 was a dispute involving rights of management and service charge as executed in a residential lease. The details...
Read moreRead by(21)
What are the Building Safety Act limitation periods
Specifically the Act extents the limitation period to 15 years prospectively for claims under s1 and s2A (claims that accrue after the Act takes effect); and to 30 years retrospectively for claims under s1 (claims that accrued before the Act takes effect).
Read moreRead by(21)
Where are the Service Charge monies held?
All owner’s funds are held in a unique bank account just for the site, with interest accruing to the fund and that the money is held in trust so that the bank have no call on funds.
Read moreRead by(21)
What Accounts need to be prepared?
A freehold/resident’s management/right to manage company has to comply with both the Companies Act and the Landlord & Tenant Acts accounting provisions. This means that 'company accounts' have to be filed with Companies House and 'service charge accounts' have to...
Read moreRead by(21)
How have service charges for flats changed over time?
Since 2018, service charges for flats in England and Wales have increased by 51.7 percent. It is the first time the average annual service charge has exceeded 1,000 per year. However, in the past 12 months, the increase has been more modest at 8.0 percent, aligning w...
Read moreRead by(21)
What is the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service?
The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service is a new government initiative in England and Wales offering free legal assistance to people at risk of losing their homes.
Read moreRead by(21)
What are the risks if we want to carry out an informal consultation process?
Clearly, you would fall foul of specific legislation put in place to protect service charge payers, this is inherently risky. For emergency works you should start a formal consultation process and simultaneously apply to the Tribunal for a dispensation from the fu...
Read moreRead by(21)
Ask our Experts
What our customers are asking:
Who are most likely to be affected by the rise in energy bills?
The elders and those yet to settle into their jobs are among the most vulnerable. The elders, because their aging bodies cannot cope with the freezing temperature, and the recently employed ones because they will not be able to raise more money to pay the extra charges.
Read More
How many fix term mortgages will end in 2023 to 2024?
More than two million mortgages will end their fixed term between 2023 and 2024. With rising interest rates, it will simply cost landlords more to refinance then, further complicating the market situation.Most tenants want to maintain the status quo and avoid paying ...
Read More
How did coworking spaces become popular before the pandemic?
Before the pandemic, the GIG economy boosted the development of coworking spaces. Coworking spaces were popular among freelancers, professionals, and entrepreneurs who wanted to work in a professional environment for better networking opportunities.
Read More
The questions of the reasonableness of the service charges and, if applicable, the construction of the arrangement previously made between the parties concerning the management.
Poynders Court Limited v GLS Property Management Ltd [2012] UKUT 339 (LC)SummaryThe case of Poynders Court Limited v GLS Property Management Ltd [2012] UKUT 339 (LC) intends to resolve the issue between Poynders Court Limited, a company for residential management, an...
Read More
What happens if the New Homes Ombudsman Service finds a developer in breach of the New Homes Quality Code?
If the New Homes Ombudsman Service determines that a developer has breached the New Homes Quality Code, they can order the developer to rectify the issues, provide compensation to the homebuyer, or take other appropriate actions to address the breach.
Read More
Establish the matter with relation to the proper construction and application of the lease terms and, in particular, the management and the service element charges that were to be produced to the lease holder.
Gell v 32 St John's Road (Eastbourne) Management Company Ltd [2021]SummaryGell v 32 St John's Road (Eastbourne) Management Company Ltd [2021] is predominantly developed along the lines of the singular issue that challenges the common sense of the service charges by t...
Read More
How did COVID-19 affect short-term and long-term let-downs in the UK?
The pandemic boosted short-term lets with a surge in domestic travel. Landlords shifted to tourist markets like the Lake District and Cornwall, displacing locals. The UK staycation trend has continued post-pandemic.
Read More
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.
Read More
What Is BBRS?
The Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS) is an independent, not-for-profit service. It was established to resolve disputes between SMEs and their banks.
Read More
What is the BBRS Contemporary Scheme?
The BBRS Contemporary Scheme covers cases registered from 1 April 2019 onwards for businesses with a turnover of up to 10m per annum and total assets of up to 7.5m.
Read More
What is the housing situation in the UK?
The UK is facing a serious housing shortage marked by a persistent scarcity of residences. The government aims to build 300,000 new homes annually to meet demand and maintain affordability.
Read More
What are zero deposit schemes, and why are they controversial?
Zero deposit schemes require tenants to pay a fee equivalent to one week's rent instead of the traditional five-week deposit. They are controversial because the fee is non-refundable, tenants remain liable for damages, and additional costs may be incurred.
Read More
What does the ruling mean for building owners in Newham?
The verdict serves as a clear warning to all building owners in Newham, underlining the necessity to promptly prioritise fire safety measures, including removing hazardous cladding. Failure to comply may lead to legal prosecution.
Read More
What is the new 2024 energy efficiency target for landlords in England and Wales?
By 2030, all privately rented properties in England and Wales must meet an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of Band C. This applies to private and social housing as part of the government's effort to improve energy efficiency.
Read More
What are some examples of digital technologies in ground rent management?
Digital technologies include ground rent collection software that employs robotic accounting: demands, allocations, and bank reconciliation. By using direct debit the ground rent collector can manage what the customer needs to pay and rent reviews cannot be missed. ...
Read More
What does a bank reconciliation entail?
A bank reconciliation is a routine check that should be carried out on any bank account to ensure that the cheques written leave and clear the account and that cash paid in is received by the bank. Monies that have not been received (i.e. perhaps lost in the banking ...
Read More
Is freehold property good to buy?
Leasehold enfranchisement……When undertaking a valuation for negotiation the Chartered Valuation Surveyor has to interpret the right evidence for the right situation to bring maximum benefit to the Client.
Read More
I am a developer of a new build scheme involving flats and commercial units. The buyer of a commercial unit is not agreeing to a restriction at HM Land Registry preventing a sale of the unit without the Managing Agent issuing a compliance certificate. What kind of risk is he to me?
A restriction requiring a compliance certificate is critical. Its purpose is to ensure that arrears (and any other non-compliance/breach) are made known to a buyer before they take registration of the property. Effectively, the buyer cannot become the registered prop...
Read More
Why do we need a Company to run the block/site?
A company is need to run the block or site as under UK law only 4 people can own a title at land registry. The involvement of Freehold & Resident Management Companies enable larger groups of people to be in control of a block.
Read More
What measures are proposed to address concerns about the building safety levy's impact on viability?
The government has proposed implementing differential levy rates based on local house prices and offering exemptions for smaller-scale developments. However, questions remain about the effectiveness of these measures in alleviating the financial burden on developers ...
Read More
How does the Energy Company Obligation scheme 'ECO4' scheme help the UK households?
The UK government's ECO4 scheme provides free energy efficiency upgrades to qualifying households as grants. These free upgrades help them reduce energy requirements, electricity bills, and carbon emissions. The ECO4 grants fund wall or cavity insulation and new heat...
Read More
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.
Read More
What measures should the UK government focus on to overcome the housing crisis?
The UK government needs to primarily focus on the supply side of the problem. This involves building more houses by providing available land and offering incentives for construction. Also, it is crucial to prioritise the quality and affordability of both new and exis...
Read More
What are vital aspects of the law of the landlord and tenant?
Iperion Investments Corp. V Broadwalk House Residents Ltd [1995] 2 EGLR 47SummaryIperion Investments Corp. v Broadwalk House Residents Ltd [1995] 2 EGLR 47 was a dispute involving rights of management and service charge as executed in a residential lease. The details...
Read More
What are the Building Safety Act limitation periods
Specifically the Act extents the limitation period to 15 years prospectively for claims under s1 and s2A (claims that accrue after the Act takes effect); and to 30 years retrospectively for claims under s1 (claims that accrued before the Act takes effect).
Read More
Where are the Service Charge monies held?
All owner’s funds are held in a unique bank account just for the site, with interest accruing to the fund and that the money is held in trust so that the bank have no call on funds.
Read More
What Accounts need to be prepared?
A freehold/resident’s management/right to manage company has to comply with both the Companies Act and the Landlord & Tenant Acts accounting provisions. This means that 'company accounts' have to be filed with Companies House and 'service charge accounts' have to...
Read More
How have service charges for flats changed over time?
Since 2018, service charges for flats in England and Wales have increased by 51.7 percent. It is the first time the average annual service charge has exceeded 1,000 per year. However, in the past 12 months, the increase has been more modest at 8.0 percent, aligning w...
Read More
What is the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service?
The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service is a new government initiative in England and Wales offering free legal assistance to people at risk of losing their homes.
Read More
What are the risks if we want to carry out an informal consultation process?
Clearly, you would fall foul of specific legislation put in place to protect service charge payers, this is inherently risky. For emergency works you should start a formal consultation process and simultaneously apply to the Tribunal for a dispensation from the fu...
Read More
