Issues with managing agents Q: We are a new Association recognised by our Freeholder in December 2017. We are having several issues with our Managing Agents. 1: They are either failing to reply to our emails or taking several months to respond. 2: We have raised several issues with regard to the proportioning of several […]
Missing Leaseholder Q: We are a management company for our estate. We are faced with a bit of a dilemma regarding a freeholder who has been absent from her property for several months. We understood she had gone into hospital for treatment as she left a note, but did not say which hospital. We understand […]
Insurance Expiring Q: We are in the process of employing a new management company and phoned them to advise them our building insurance expires at the end of this month and could they please attend to it, only to be advised that due to a change in legislation they cannot advise us on that and […]
Contractors and Regulations Q: We are a self-managed management company with 24 flats. We use a small number of contractors such as decorators, gardeners, cleaners which all operate as a business. One leaseholder feels we should abide by Construction (Design and Management) regulations. Is this required for a small management company? FPRA Committee Member […]
Lack of a Majority Q: Are there any recognised associations where the landlord was happy to grant recognised status without attaining the 51 per cent majority vote from leaseholders? Is it a legal requirement that 51 per cent of leaseholder votes must be attained? We have 825 apartments and many of the owners do not […]
Providing Information Q: One of our flats is being sold. We have been asked to provide a LPE1 and management pack. What should be included in the management pack? We are unsure of the correct answer to some questions on the LPE1 form regarding any requirements for a deed of covenant and licences to assign […]
Cosy Relationship Q: Our lease allows the freeholder to place the insurance without consulting us, and I believe the longstanding cosy relationship they have with their insurers does not work in the interest of residents. We therefore want to obtain quotations from alternative insurers and then coax, cajole or pressure the freeholder into accepting what […]
Sink Fund and Service Charges Q: Having just reviewed the management agents service charge budget for the coming year, the freeholder is not contributing to the sink fund for the current 10 unsold apartments in the building. Is this correct? When the apartments are sold would the new leaseholder be expected to pay the missing […]
Asbestos Q: We are completing form LPE1 for the sale of one of our flats. One question asks if there has been an asbestos survey done. There has not. Is it compulsory for us to have this survey carried out? – and how much is it likely to cost? We are a block of six […]
Getting Recognition Q: We have made an application for formal recognition of our residents’ association. We have received this reply from the management company: “I believe that in order to achieve formal recognition, 51 per cent or more of all owners, ie 51 per cent of 48 properties must be a member. Unfortunately, as only […]
