We at Hastings Property Management are committed to providing a professional residential block management service of the highest standard and quality.
Leasehold block management is a specialised service. The complexity surrounding how services should be provided and the mandatory legal notices required to enable service charge and ground rent collection calls for greater professionalism, integrity and transparency within this area of property management. We also fully comply with the obligations under the RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code and also provides assurance that client monies are properly secured in nominated protected client bank accounts under the RICS accounting rules. We also follow, when applicable, the Code of Practice published by the ARHM. Both codes are approved by the Secretary of State.
The minefield of statutory obligations continues to place an increasing burden on landlords and freeholders. Our services are designed to relieve the Client (the landlord, freehold company, resident management company or right-to-manage company) of all aspects of property management, administration and upkeep.
A strong and professional relationship with suppliers and contractors ensures value for money, whether we’re talking about cutting the grass or renewing a roof.
Workplace law applies to the common areas of all property or estates including hall, stairs and landings. Therefore, as your agent, we:
Our standard management contract includes the following:
A full list of our services can be provided on application.
We also offer further services, which include:
There are some matters where we look after the landlord’s and the leaseholders’ collective interests through ensuring that:
Our fees for this type of work are charged directly to the relevant leaseholder.
Building insurance is placed on the basis of the cost of rebuilding (rather than its market value) and we would recommend that this be revalued periodically to ensure that your property is correctly insured. The sum insured is index-linked each year to stay in line with construction market costs.
If your block is run by a Residents’ Management Company (RMC) and some of the leaseholders are directors of that company, it is usually appropriate to have a Directors & Officers insurance policy in place.
If your property has a passenger lift, then your statutory requirement can be met by a separate engineering policy.
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires that all blocks of flats must have a Risk Assessment of the common parts carried out periodically.
Another piece of legislation which is an absolute requirement for all shared residential properties is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which affects buildings built or converted into self-contained flats prior to 1991. Up-to-date Fire Risk Assessments must be available and now forms part of the due diligence carried out on conveyance before a flat is sold, as mortgage lenders require proof that a current fire risk assessment is in place.
Hastings Property Management will arrange for specialist consultants to carry out any required Risk Assessments which will also, if applicable, cover other areas such as Working at Height, Electrical Equipment Safety, Legionella, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Asbestos and other statutory obligations.
Our management team has over 100 years combined experience to call upon, so with Hastings Property Management looking after your property, you are in good hands.