2015 regionals page 8 - irpm · 2016-11-18 · 2015 regionals page 8 hear from the youngest mirpm...
TRANSCRIPT
the
Newsletter of the Institute of Residential Property Management Issue 22 December 2015
2015 Regionals page 8
Hear from the youngest MIRPM achievers
page 4
An Accidental Property Manager Page 2
02 the rpm newsletter December 2015 www.irpm.org.uk
Contents December 2015MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS 2EXAM RESULTS 22016 DIARY DATES 2IRPM AGM 2015 2CHAIRMAN DAVID CLARK 3AN ACCIDENTAL PROPERTY MANAGER 3THE YOUNGEST IRPM MEMBERS 4IRPM MEMBERS SEMINAR 2015 5JEFF PLATTS VIEW 6REGIONAL SEMINARS 2015 8NOELLA MORTON 10WHO DOES THE WORK 11WORKING GROUPS 11IRPM DIRECTORS 12REPORT FROM THE WEB/IT 13WIN AN IPAD 14IRPM OFFICE BITES 14IRPM OFFICE STAFF 14CASE UPDATES 15ST GILES INSURANCE AND FINANCE SERVICES LTD 15
MEMBERSHIP FIGURESAffiliates: 959Associates: 1196Members: 1031Fellows: 80Total: 3266
EXAM RESULTS Member ExamApril 2015: London & BirminghamPassed: 57Failed: 13
Associate ExamSeptember 2015: London & BirminghamPassed: 96Failed: 13
DIARY DATESAssociate Exam Workshop - London: 20thJanuary2016Associate Exam in London and Manchester: 24thFebruary2016Member Exam Workshop - London: 23rdMarch2016Associate Exam – Glasgow: 20thApril2016Member Exam in London, Birmingham & Glasgow: 20thApril2016
IRPM Seminar 2016: 18thMay2016Associate Exam Workshop - London TBC: August2016Associate Exam - London & Birmingham: 21stSeptember2016AGM & Fellows Day:28thSeptember2016Member Exam Workshop - London TBC: September2016Associate Exam – Glasgow: 26thOctober2016Member Exam - London, Manchester & Glasgow: 26thOctober2016
EDIT YOUR OWN PROFILE - IS YOUR PROFILE ACCURATE?Isthedataweholdforyoucorrect?Weusethisdatafromthemembershipdatabaseforallsortsofadministrationandcommunicationswithyou.WeurgeyoutoLOGINtoyouronlineprofileandupdateanyemptyoroutdatedfields:http://bit.ly/1QpoW07
Ifyouhaveanyproblemsloggingincalloremailusattheofficeandwewill behappytohelp. [email protected]
THINKING OF TAKING THE IRPM MEMBER EXAM IN 2016?WhynotprepareforthisexamwithJeffPlatt?Gothroughthelearningmaterials,askyourquestionsinpersonandbuildyourconfidence. Workshop23rdMarch2016.Applyforafrontseatontheworkshopnow:http://bit.ly/1Road5F
CODE OF CONDUCT & ETHICSTheInstitutehasupdateditsCodeofConductandEthicsthatallmembersshouldreadtoensurethattheyareoperatingwithintheInstitute’scode:http://bit.ly/1NwRSgE
TheAnnualGeneralMeetingoftheInstitutewasheldon30thSeptember2015atTheRoyalInstitutioninLondon.TheChairmanwelcomedtheappointmentofnewDirectors:MattAshley(ViceChairofQualificationWG),PeterDevere-Catt(ChairmanoftheITandWebsiteWG)andSamanthaMassey(ViceChairofMembershipWG),andthankedthosedirectorsretiring,AndrewCroftandKarenWilsonfortheirhardworkand
contributiontotheInstituteovertheyearsoftheirservice.InaspecialresolutionitwasproposedtoappointtheIRPMChiefExecutive’sasDirectorstotheBoardasanappropriatemeasuretofullyrecognisethesharedresponsibilitiesofallIRPMOfficers.ThisamendmenttotheArticlesofAssociation,alongwiththeDirectors’FinancialStatementandChairman’sReportwereapprovedbythemembers.Allpapersincluding
AGMminutesareavailablehere: http://bit.ly/226VfVw
IRPM AGM September 2015
www.irpm.org.uk December 2015 the rpm newsletter 03
DavidClark – IRPM Chairman 2014-16During November I attended a number of conferences including a PRS conference at which members of the National Apartments Association (NAA) from the USA told us about the American Multi-Family rental sector. Byfarthemostinterestingaspect
ofwhatIheardwastheemployeeandrecruitmenttransformationthathastakenplaceinthelasttenyears.Managers’nolongerpoachstafforteamsfromeachotherbutinsteadconcentrateondevelopingnewtalent.AbouttenyearsagotheNAAdecidedthatitwould
supportitslargermemberstostartaprogrammeofeducationthatwouldattractnewpeoplefromcollegesanduniversitiesandputthemthroughathorough6monthstrainingforacareerinmulti-familyapartmentmanagement.Inreturnpoachingandrecirculationofexistingstaffandteamswouldhavetostopandtrustwouldhavetoberebuilt.Tenyearslaterthishasbeenahugesuccess,
bringingnewbloodintotheindustryandopeningthedoorwelcomingnewlevelsofsuccessandprofitabilityforapartmentmanagers.Importantlymanyofthekeyplayersworkinpartnershipandarehappytobenchmarktheirservicelevels.Allofthisworksbecausethepossibilitiesofacareer
inapartmentmanagementaremarketedinagenuinelyexcitingwaytoschool,collegeanduniversityleavers.Principally,themarketingaimstoattracttheundecided-thosewhoareunsurewhattheywanttodo.Afterall,theysay,nodayiseverthesameinapartmentmanagementisit?Youcancomeandtryaccountancy,maintenance,
customercare,hospitality,landscaping,marketing,communications,informationtechnology,architectureandmanyotherthings.Itseemstoworkandmanyendupstayingforlongandfulfillingcareers.Keytothesuccessofthisprogramhasbeenavery
cleareducationaltimelineattachedtoarealandvaluablequalificationthatcanbeachievedinarelativelyshorttimebutcontinuesthroughoutacareerandthewayinwhichthesectorhasbeenmarketedandglamorisedtoattractanewgeneration.AtIRPMwearenowinthefinalpartofcreatingareal
PRSroutetoqualificationthatwillstandalongsideourleaseholdqualificationsandthatwillfurtherbroadentheskillsetofourmembers.Weintendtowidenourtrainingcoursesandtorolloutanonlineresourcehubtomembersinthenextsixmonths.Additionallywehavebeenworkingwithagroupofcompanies/professionalbodiestodevelopTrailblazerApprenticeshipStandardsinResidentialHousingandPropertyManagementatLevels2,3and4.ThesehavenowbeensignedoffbytheDepartmentofBusinessInnovationandSkillsandarelistedontheGovernment’sTrailblazerwebsite http://bit.ly/1T1jUo7Wewillcontinuetodoourbittoattractexciting
newpeopleintotheindustryandcontinuetomarkettheopportunitythatacareerinthevariedworldofprofessionalresidentialmanagementcanbring.Itonlyremainsforemployerstosupportthe
recruitmentandtrainingofschoolandfurthereducationleaversandthosefromdifferentsectors,insteadofrepeatedlyplunderingthesamepoolofpractitioners.
Howdidyougetinto Property Management?TheresponseIgetmoreoftenthannotis“byaccident”.Iamsure
thatanumberofyoureadingthiswillbethesame.Perhapsyoustartedoutwithacompletelydifferentobjectivebuthavinggotatasteofthepropertymanagementworldyoudecidedtostay.IhavetosaythatIcannotblameyou.Iamoneofthemanyaccidental
PropertyManagers.Aftermoving
toBournemouthfromScotlandIstartedthedreadedjobsearch andfoundatemporaryroleasPAtotheDirectorofaPropertyManagementfirm.Theinitialcontractwasfor6monthsbutIwassoonbittenbythebugand9yearslater,havingpassedmyIRPMexams,IamstillenjoyingPropertyManagementandworkingtowardsmembershipoftheRICS.IamactivelyinvolvedintheIRPMandamamemberoftheWeb/ITandMarketingWorkingGroup.PropertyManagementisa
challengingandvariedsectorinwhichtoworkandIstronglybelievethatweneedtobeactivelyencouragingnewtalentintothesectoratschoolleaveranduniversitylevel.Ihavewrittenanarticle,whichIhopecouldbeusedtohelpencouragethisnewtalent,andthisisavailableontheIRPMwebsite http://bit.ly/1I8BZQR Anyinputandideasfromothermemberswhohavesimilarviewsandideaswhichcouldbeusedanddevelopedwouldbeverywelcome.
Encouraging new talent to the property management sector - November 2015 – Emily Ørner FIRPM AssocRICS
04 the rpm newsletter December 2015 www.irpm.org.uk
In2013,Estee Davies MIRPM becametheyoungestpersonevertopasstheMemberExamattheageof21.Esteeisapropertymanager
atHLMinShrewsbury,partofCountrywideEstateManagement,responsibleformanagingseverallargeapartmentblocks.ShejoinedHLMasanadministrativeassistantin2010straightfromcollege,aged18,andwaspromotedtopropertymanagerjust12monthslater.Atheremployer’ssuggestion,shejoinedtheIRPM,passingherpartonein2012andparttwoinOctober2013.WhatEsteereallyenjoysabout
herworkisthatnotwodaysareeverthesame.“Ilikeexperiencing
somanydifferentthingsandalwayslearningsomethingnew.Forexample,Iwaspartofaprojectteamthatmanagedthereconstructionofabigapartmentblockdestroyedbyfire.ThisprocesstooktwoyearsandIgottoseeatfirsthandhowflatsarebuilt.Iexpectthatinsideknowledgewillbeveryvaluableinthefuture.”Shesays“TheIRPMhasbeen
reallyhelpfulinmycareer.IRPMmembershipandprofessionaldevelopmentprogrammeisimportanttomeandtomyemployer.NotonlydoesithelpmedomyeverydayjobbutalsothemoreknowledgeIhave,themoreconfidentIamandthemoreIwillbeabletodoagreatjobforourclientsandresidents.”Continuingprofessional
development(CPD)isarequirementofIRPMmembershipforallAffiliates,Associates,MembersandFellows.EsteesaysCPDisreallyimportant.“Thingschangequicklyinthissector.Weneedtokeepupwithlegislationandnewcaselawsowecanbeonestepahead.Recently,I’vebeenreadingaboutnewsmokedetectorlawstofindouthowitaffectsusandifweneedtodoanything.”Esteereckonsshespendsabout
halfadayamonthonherCPDactivities,which,aswellaslearningonthejob,includereadingregularupdatesfromHLMandthetechnicalupdatesfromIRPM.Heremployeralsoprovidesonlinetraining,whichmeansshecanundertaketraininganytime,anywhere.AttendingFTT(FirstTierTribunal)andcourthearingsalsoformpartofEstee’sCPDprogramme.
TheIRPMrequiresmemberstodoaminimumof15hoursayear.Esteesays“frankly,themoreyoudothebetter.IprobablyspendaroundhalfadayamonthonCPD.Itisnothardtofindthetime.Thetrickistobeorganisedandputitinyourdiary.Afterall,ifyoucan’torganiseyourdiaryefficiently,youwon’treallybeabletodoagoodjobasapropertymanager.”
Oursecondyoungestmemberis Matthew Mackintosh MIRPM, AssocRICS.MattisapropertymanageratAMSurveyingPropertyServices,basednearMaidstonein
Propertymanagementcanbeanexcellentcareerchoiceforyoungpeoplewhoarereadytostarttheirprofessionallifewithoutgoingtouniversity.WetalkedtotwosuccessfulpropertymanagerswhosharethedistinctionofbeingtheyoungesttoachievefullIRPMmembership.
IRPMMembership Aspringboardforyoungtalent
www.irpm.org.uk December 2015 the rpm newsletter 05
KentwhopassedtheMember Examat22.Matt,now23,joinedthefamily
businessstraightfromschoolattheageof15,andtodayhasresponsibilityforoverseeingitsproperty management and related surveyingactivities.Overthepastsevenyears,hehassignificantlyexpandedthepropertymanagementsideofthecompanyanditnowaccountsforapproximately70%ofthecompany’sturnover,with1000mainlyresidentialpropertiesacrossLondonandsoutheast.“WhenIcameacrosstheIRPM
IwasexcitedtorealisethatasIalreadyhadmorethanthreeyearsexperience in property management Iwouldqualifyfordirectentry.ItooktheMemberExamandpassedinOctober2014becomingMIRPM-havingthoselettersafteryournameisanimportantrecognitionofyourprofessionalism.What’smore,membershipoftheIRPMmeantIqualifiedforAssociatemembershipoftheRoyalInstitutionofCharteredSurveyors(AssocRICS).Asour
businessalsoinvolvessurveying,aqualificationwiththeRICSwasawelcomeadditionandIwaspleasedto be eligible for direct entry to AssocRICSthankstohavingtheMIRPMqualification”.AsafullMemberoftheIRPM
andAssociatememberoftheRICS,MattmustdemonstratehiscommitmenttoCPDforbothorganisations.“Ofcourse,Iread theregularreleasesandgotoseminarsandeventsbutwe’verecentlyappointedajuniorpropertymanagerwhomIammentoringandthatcountstowardsmyCDP.“Headds:“Itissoimportantfor
apropertymanagertostayontopofchangestolegislationandregulation,aboveallwhenitcomestoH&Swhereanynegligencecouldleaveamanagingagentliable.Forexample,IwasreadingaboutnewH&SrequirementsforautomatedgateswhenIrealisedthatthegatesononeofourdevelopmentsarenon-compliant.Iimmediatelycalledintheriskassessorandsoughtadvice.”
Inadditiontohisyouth,MattcanclaimanotherIRPMfirst:heisdyslexic,andsathisexamusingalaptop.ThisisthefirsttimethatanyonehasbeenabletosittheIRPMMemberExaminthisway,andopensthewayforothercandidatesinasimilarsituation.Mattexplains:“AssoonasI
knewIwantedtosittheMemberExam,IrealisedthatImighthaveproblemsasitmustbehandwritten.Iwriteslowlybyhand,andIdon’tspellverywell.Itdoesn’tmatteratworkbecauseItouchtypeandusethespellchecker,butIcouldnotseehowIcoulddomyselfjusticeintheexamifIhadtowritebyhand.SoI
askedifIcouldusealaptop.”TheIRPMhadtogetpermission
fromtheCharteredInstituteofHousing,whichrequiredproofofMatt’sdyslexia.Neverhavingbeendiagnosedatschool,hearrangedforanindependentassessmentandwasabletoprovideevidencethathewasindeeddyslexic.TheIRPMarrangedforMatttosittheexamatitsoffice.“Itmadeallthedifference.Infact,IdonotbelieveIwouldhavepassedwithoutbeingabletouseawordprocessorviaacomputer.”TheIRPMiscurrentlyexploring
optionstoenableallfutureexamcandidatestouseacomputertosittheAssociateandMemberExams.
Specialexamarrangementsforpeoplewithdyslexia
CPDHOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE? IRPMmembersneedtodoaminimumof15hoursannually(manydomuchmore),ideallysplitbetweentenhoursoftechnicallearningandfivehoursofsoftskills.Spreadover12months, itiseasilyachievable.
HOW DO YOU KNOW I’VE DONE IT?Therearespotchecksthroughouttheyear,soit’simportanttoregularlyupdateyourCPD recordonline.
WHAT CAN I DO? Therearealotofactivitiesthatcount-morethanyoumightthink-manyofwhichyou’llprobablybedoingaspartofyourjob.Thelistincludes:
• Technicalcourses/seminars/ workshops• Onlinetraining/webinars Businessskillstraining (communications,IT, socialmedia)• AttendanceatIRPM/ARMAand otherindustryevents• Formalcoachingormentoring ofotherpeople• Studytowardsprofessional qualifications• AttendingFFTandcourt hearings• Readingtextbooks,newsletters, TechnicalUpdates• Projectssuchasrunningan in-housetrainingevent• Somevoluntarywork,suchas beingaschoolgovernoror directorofanRMC
Ifyou’renotsureifsomethingqualifies,thengiveusaquickcalltotalkitthrough.
06 the rpm newsletter December 2015 www.irpm.org.uk
IRPMMembersSeminarMay2015TheRoyalInstitutionofGreatBritain,LondonThe12thAnnualIRPMSeminar,heldintheheartofMayfair,wasagreatsuccess,withover400IRPMmembersandtheirguestsbookedtoattend.ModeratedbyTVandradionewscaster,Katie Derham, theSeminardeliveredawiderangeoftalksonresidentialpropertymanagementbykeyprofessionalsinthesector.IRPMChairmanDavid Clark
extended a warm welcome to allattendeesonbehalfoftheInstitute.DavidsummarisedIRPM’sinvolvementandprogressionintheresidentialpropertysector,discussedtheexaminationstructureandintroducedthenewResourceHubtomembers.TheaimoftheHub(previouslytheIRPMAcademy)istobuildanon-linelibraryofessentialresourcesforPropertyManagers,helpingmembersintheirContinuedProfessionalDevelopment.KatieDerhamintroducedourfirst
speaker, Steve Michaux, Director of LeaseholdServicesatA2Dominion,wellknownintheindustryforhisworkintheHousingAssociationsector.Inhispresentation‘Different income, same service - the challenge of mixed tenure management’, Stevediscusseddifferenttypesofsocialtenantsandhowtodealwiththeirneeds,expectationsandissues.OurnextpresenterwasSir Michael
Lyons, non-executivechairmanoftheEnglishCitiesFundandParticiple
Ltd.Inhistalk,‘Do we really need so many new homes and if so how do we get them?’ SirMichaeldiscussedthecurrentpoliticalsituationsincetheelectionresults.
Nicholas Blenkarn, Director of theSevernPartnership,CharteredLandSurveyorsintroducedustotheamazingtechnologyofinteractivebespoke3DandBIMvisualisation,3Dmodels,laserscanningandmodellingnewbuildingsinfrastructurewith‘From Scan to BIM to interactive 3D Visualisation for retrofit & refurbishment’. Nicholasshowedustheendlesspossibilitiesofthetechnologythatwillbethefutureof theindustry.
Graeme Southam, Managing DirectoratHighRoadTrainingLtdspokeonthecrucialareaof‘Customerservice’,comparingtheimpactofgoodandbadserviceprovidedindifferentscenarios.Thelastpresentationwasgivenby
Justin Bates,BarristerfromArdenChambers.HisareasofpracticeareHousing,Landlord&Tenant,LVT/FTT,localgovernmentandpubliclaw.JustindiscussedtwoRightToManagecasesandtwoServiceChargesissues,closingwithwhatwecanexpectfromtheindustryin2016.Videosofallthepresentationsare
availabletoviewinthemembers’areaoftheIRPMwebsite.PleasenotethatwatchingthevideosoftheIRPMAnnualSeminar2015countstowards
yourCPD.Youcanaddupto3hourstoyourCPDrecord.
EveryyeartheIRPM Awards honourtheachievementsofmemberstakingtheAssociateandMemberexams.TheBritishPropertyFederation
AwardforthehighestmarkintheMemberExam2014waspresented to Samantha Simpson by Ian Fletcher,DirectorofPolicyatBritishPropertyFederation.TheBretherton’sAwardforthe
mostoutstandinglegalpaperintheMemberExam2014waspresentedto Alex Heald byMarkNorthofBrethertons.TheAnnGarlandAwardforthe
mostoutstandingpaperintheAssociateExam2014waspresentedto Emma Dancer.TheNationalLeaseholdGroup
AwardforthemostoutstandingpaperintheMemberExambyacandidateworkingintheaffordablehomeownershipsectorin2014presentedearlierintheyearto Claire Bean, wasalsoacknowledgedduring theceremony.Theeventendedwithadrinks
receptionwhichwasafittingendtowhatmanyMembersdescribed,asthebestSeminaryet.The IRPM Seminar 2016 will be
heldintheRoyalInstituteofBritishArchitectson Wednesday 18th May 2016. Pleasebookthisdateinyourdiaryandjoinus.
REMEMBER youcanviewvideosofpresentationsintheMembers
Areaofthewebsitehere: http://bit.ly/1QrW5Z1
Our members will face a mixture of challenges and opportunities during 2016 and beyond. The theme at our recent Fellows’ Day was ‘are we training members to manage yesterday’s model?’ You
will pleased to learn that the general conclusion of our Fellows was that the IRPM continues to be on the right track and is well prepared for developments in the housing sector, with enhanced service offerings to both current and future members.Thegovernment’sideologyisalreadyclearwith
homeownershipbeingseenasthepredominanttenure. TheHousingandPlanningBillproposesthat:• localauthoritieswillbeforcedtosellhighervalue houses,• housingassociationtenantsaretobegiventheright tobuy,• oneforonereplacementislikelytobeaffordable homeownershipratherthansocialrentedhousing,• S106requirementsareshiftingfromsocialhousingto developerledaffordablehousing.• HousingAssociationshavealsobeenhitbyamassive changetotheirbusinessplanswithamandatory1% p.a.reductioninrentlevelsforthenext4years.ThelatestmutteringcomingoutofWestminsteristoreducethepressureontheHousingBenefitbillbygiftingsocialtenantsasharedownershipshareintheirproperty,equivalenttotherighttobuydiscountproportion;thusreducingthelevelofrentpayableandhousingbenefitrequired.Nomutteringsonhowthelandlordisgoingtosatisfylendingcovenantsviaareducedassetbaseandreducedincome.Nomutteringsonhowthenewlygiftedhomeownerscurrentlyinreceiptofhousingbenefitwillmeettheirnewlyacquiredrepairingandservicechargeobligations.It’llneverhappen...willit?TheHousingMinisterhasmadeitclearthatheexpects
housingassociationstomakesignificantdevelopmentcontributionstowardscombatingtheshortageofnewhomes.Facingthechallengesofamandatoryreductionintheirincome,minimallevelsofgovernmentgrantandaforcedreductionintheirassetbasefromwhichtoguaranteedevelopmentborrowings,agreaterproportionofthesenewhomeswillbeaffordablehomeownershipandopenmarketsale.Allleadingtoanincreasingproportionofthehousing
stockbeingheldonlongleaseholdtenure.Privatelandlordsfacereductionsinincometaxmortgage
interestrelief,immigrationcontrolobligationsandoutlawing
ofroguepractices.Thismayleadsomebuytoletlandlordstoexitthemarket;creatingdownwardpressureonhousepriceincreasesandincreasingaffordabilityforfirsttimebuyers.Leaseholderswhoarereluctanttopayforqualityservicesmaybereplacedbythoseunabletopay.OneoftheCMArecommendationswasthatallparties
shouldworktogethertomakepotentialleaseholdersmoreawareoftheirobligationspriortopurchase.TheIRPMhavebeeninvolvedinseveralinitiativestowardsthisaim.LEASEhaveproducedaonepagesummaryofinformationlinkingtomoredetailedguidancewhichestateagentsareexpectedtopasstoallaspiringleaseholdpurchasers.RevisedversionsofLPE1andLPE2havebeenproducedtostandardisesolicitorenquiries.TheLawCommissionhavepublishedtheirinitialfindings
andconsultationpaperonleaseexitfeesandother‘eventfees’.Thisisathoroughlyresearched,comprehensivedocumentwithsomewellthoughtoutandfullyreasonedrecommendations.ArefreshingcomparisontotheCMA’sinterimreport!Amongstits199pagesthereportisscathinginitscriticismofthequalityofinformationprovidedbyestateagentstopotentialpurchasersofleaseholdpropertieswithexitfee/deferredpurchaseobligations.TheypullnopunchesinhighlightingestateagentsarebreachingtheirdutiesunderConsumerProtectionRegulations(CPR2008).Thisbringsmetomycrystalballpredictionfor2016.
InresponsetotheCMA’sfindingsthatleaseholdersareoftenill-informedpriortopurchase,theIRPMpointedoutthattheOFT(whocommencedtheinvestigation)hadpublishedguidanceforEstateAgentshighlightingminimuminformationrequirementswithinleaseholdpropertydetailsandthatenforcementofthoserequirementswouldgoalongwaytowardsachievingtheirgoal.EnforcementoftheCPR2008nowsitswithTheNationalTradingStandardsEstateAgencyTeamofPowysCountyCouncilwhohaverecentlypublishedanupdatedversionoftheOFT’sguidance.MypredictionisthatTheLawCommission’scriticism
maybethefinaltippingpointtowardsenforcementactionandeducationofestateagencystaff.MinimuminformationrequirementswillresultinaminiHIPs(rememberthem?)forleaseholdpropertiesandestateagentsmayevenhavetostartreadingleasestogainanunderstandingoftherightsandobligationstheyaretryingtosell.Estateagentsreadingleases–youmustthinkI’vegone
starkravingmad!Evenifmybravenewworldpredictionistruethatwill
notremoveanyobligationonourmemberstoensurethatleaseholdersareinformed.Itisnotgoodenoughtoblameothers.Itisnotgoodenoughtorageaboutignorance.Therequirementsoneverybodyinvolvedwithinthesalesprocess;estateagents,managingagentsandconveyancerstoensuremoreinformedpurchasers,shouldremovemuchignoranceofleaseholdtenurebutitisstillincumbentuponourmemberstoexplainthequalityandvalueformoneyoftheirservicestotheircustomers.
www.irpm.org.uk December 2015 the rpm newsletter 07
Myviewof2016 JeffPlattFIRPMMRICS,JointCEO
08 the rpm newsletter December 2015 www.irpm.org.uk
2014 saw the introduction of three regional half day seminars in addition to the Institute’s ever popular annual
seminar, held in the capital each year. Last year’s regional events held in Bristol, Manchester & Birmingham proved to be extremely popular and were a great success in bringing some interesting and relevant learning to members located in those areas of the UK which make London a bit of a trek to reach.Theregionalseminarsaretherefore
verymuchheretostayandthreeeventswerequicklyextendedtofourthisyearinconjunctionwithanongoingvariationinlocationstotrytoensureasmanymembersaspossiblewereabletoattend.Speakersagaincoveredagreatcross-sectionoftopicsfromtechnicaltolegaltosoftskills,whichmeanttherereallywassomethingthateverymembercouldenjoyandlearnfrom.TheLeedsseminarwasheldatthe
RoyalArmouries,locatedintheheart
ofthecity.Thisisamodernmixedusecomplexwellknownforit’smuseum,waterwaysandconferencefacilities,butalsoaplacethatmanyregionalmembersandtheirfirmsmanageresidentialapartments.AsmyownfirmisLeedsbased,wedecidedtocapitaliseontheunusualeventof‘outsiders’comingtoYorkshireandattendedbythebusloadinthehopeofgainingsomeusefulinsights,beforereachingtheinevitableoutcomethatYorkshirefolkknewbestallalong.AsalwaystheIRPMsecretariat
hadorganisedtheeventwithflawlessefficiencyandmembersweregreetedwiththetraditionalfayreofcoffeeandbiscuitsandsettledintosomegeneral‘networking’beforetheeventstarted.Asasidepointforthosethatdon’tknow‘networking’isthetermusedtodescribegroupsofpeopleworkingforrivalcompanieswhoareallfeelingslightlyawkwardbecausetheyhavetomakepoliteconversationwithoneanother.Luckily,ourbussinginapproachhadledtojusttherightratioofpeoplefrommyfirmtoensure
thatthe‘networking’allranquitecomfortably.Anyway,wewereallpleasedtosee
greatandrespectedYorkshiremanandIRPMjointCEO,JeffPlatt,kickthingsoff.WewereallverypleasednottorequireanyformoftranslatortounderstandJeffwhospeaksgods-countrytonguefluently,andafterananecdoteortwothefirstspeakerwasup.ThistimeagreatYorkshirelass,
CassandraZanelliofTaylorandEmmettSolicitorsinSheffield,freshfromARMA’sconferencewhereshehadbeenhelpingacertainwellknownLondonBarristertotalkaboutlaw-typethings.FortunatelyCasshastheabilitytomakesomeoftenquitedullbutverynecessarysubjectmatterreallyveryinteresting.Eventhoselisteningwiththeleastenthusiasmforlegalmatterswerepleasantlysurprisedtofindthatherslotwashighlyengaging,coveringarangeofcaselawdecisionsinanupbeat,detailedandsometimesamusingmanner.NextupwasHugoWalker.Now
bythispointwewerebeginningto
RegionalSeminarsOct&Nov2015Newbury,Stevenage,Leeds&BirminghamLeeds:ChrisWilesFIRPMAssocRICS,ViceChairIRPMWeb/ITWorkingGroup
REMEMBER
youcanviewvideos
ofpresentationsinthe
MembersAreaofthe
websitehere:
http://bit.ly/1O5HcoJ
www.irpm.org.uk December 2015 the rpm newsletter 09
thinkthatwewerenevergoingtoseeanyofthe‘outsiders’thatIRPMhadpromisedus,howeverwewereallpleasantlysurprisedtofindoutthatHugowasdefinitelynotfromtheNorth.AsHugobegantospeakweallreadiedourselvesforsomegoodold-fashionedheckling,butImustsayheprovedusallwrong,deliveringaninsightfulintroductiontotheworldofCHP’s(that’s‘Combined,HeatandPower’plantsforthosethatdidnotseeoneofhistalks),andprovingthatpeoplefromoutsideYorkshiredoknowathingortwoaboutstuff.Thentokeepusallfeelingsafe
andsecure,Jeffwasbackonagain,thistimetalkingaboutthefutureofthepropertymanagementindustry.AftershowingushisCrystalBalls(nopunintended),MysticJeffmadehispredictionsfortheforthcomingyear.Solet’sprintitinblackandwhiteandseeifhe’srightthistimenextyear:HisvisionsincludechangesinourindustryduetoPRS(PrivateRentedSector)andInstitutionalInvestorsconsideringandmaybeevenmovingintoBuy
ToRent,alongsidetheOFTbeatingEstateAgentsovertheheadtomakethemtellleaseholderswhatthey’regettinginto.Afterafurthercoffeebreakand
more‘networking’wewereontothefinalspeaker,thehighlyentertainingAdamLaidlerofPeopleExperts.AdamintroducedustosomewomannamedCarolwholivesinhisheadandtoldustotameher!Shedidn’tlookveryhappyandeventuallyweallfoundoutwhy.NowIknowyouareallthinkingatthispointthattheguywritingthisarticlehasfinallylosttheplot,andyoumayberight,butbelievemethisiswhatactuallyhappened.Howevercomingbacktodown-to-earth,Adamhassomegreattechniquesthathetaughtusalltoboostself-confidenceandIcanhighlyrecommendhisideas.NowIknowwhatyou’rethinking,andtheansweris,he’sfromManchester–nowatonepointthatwouldhavebeenanoutsiderbutinthisdayandagewemustcompromiseandusethegenericterm‘Northerner’.
So,fourgreatspeakersandifyouwanttofindoutmoreabouttheirinsightfulwordsofadvicethenchecktheIRPMwebsiteforthefullsetofslidesfromeachtalkandmaybeevensomephotosandvideos.ItallcountsasCPD(whichputtingmysensibleIRPMhaton,Ishouldreallyremindyoualltodo)butmorethanthat,Icanguaranteeyouwilllearnsomething,notjustnew,butuseful.Thedayroundedoffwithmore
‘networking’butthistimefuelledbywine,beer,andquitepossiblythelargestselectionofnibblesIhaveeverseen,whichallmadetheprocessmuchlesspoliteandfarmorejovial.Sonextyear,pleasetryandattendoneoftheseregionalseminars,andallowusforthrightandeducatedNorthernerstospreadthelove.IfnothingelseIcanhighlyrecommendthefreewine.Chris Wiles FIRPM,AssocRICS,MNAEA,CIHM
Disclaimer:ViewsaremyownanddefinitelynotthatofanycompanyIworkfor,haveeverworkedfor,oreverwillworkfor.IfyoudidnotfindthisentertainingtoreadthenblameAdamLaidlerwhogavemetheself-confidencetoconcoctthisrelative-gibberish.
Since joining ARMA in July as Head of Operations one major project that I have been working on recently is the survey of the Section 20 consultation process, an area highlighted by the Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) in its market study into residential property management services, who recommended that the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) should review the Section 20 consultation process, with a view to improving its operational effectiveness.Thecurrentthresholdfor
consultationisreachedifthecontributionforanyoneleaseholderexceeds£250.Inapropertywithunequalservicechargecontributions,theneedforconsultationarisesifanyoneleaseholderwouldhavetopaymorethan£250;consultationmustthentakeplacewithallleaseholders.TheRegulations:the
ServiceCharges(ConsultationRequirements)(England)Regulations2003.
TheAct:theLandlordandTenantAct1985whichcontainstheprimarylegislationaboutconsultationinsection20oftheAct.Beforeanychangescanbeputto
GovernmentanimpactassessmentneedstobepreparedandinordertodothisdataneededtobecollectedfromwithintheindustryabouttheoperationofSection20inits currentformat.ARMAagreedtotaketheleadon
thisandhostedtwomeetingswithrepresentationfromourmembers,industrystakeholders,andwhichDCLGwerealsoinattendance.Thevalueofthecurrentthreshold
of£250haspossiblybeeneroded byinflationandtheincreaseintheVATratesothatSection20consultationisnowtriggeredforrelativelyminorandroutineworks.Thissituationisworseforverysmallblocksanditalsomeansthatthelegislationmaynotworkasintendedonlargeblockswhereverysignificantsumscanbespentbeforethethresholdkicksin.Additionallylesseescanbecomefrustratedwiththeformalprocessandany
associateddelaysandcosts.Dataneededtobeobtainedwhich
wouldallowustodiscoverhowfarthethresholdwouldneedtoberaisedtohaveamaterialeffectonthenumberofconsultationscarriedoutwhilstmaintainingtheprotectionaffordedtolessees.Theaimofthereviewistoachieve
a balance between protecting leaseholdersandraisingthethresholdthattriggersconsultationtoamoreeffectivelevelsothatthenumberofSection20consultationarereducedbuttheprotectiontolesseesremainshigh.
DuringAugustandSeptember 2015,ARMAundertookasurveywithinourmembershiptocapturedataon:• Section20‘qualifyingworks’ consultations;• Dispensation• Valueoflessee’scontribution;• Lesseeobservations;• Appointedcontractor;• QualifyingLongterm agreements;and • Administrationfees(ifany)
Theclosingdateforthesurveywasthe25thSeptemberandalargenumberoffirms,asmanyasthosewhotookpartintheARMAQconsultationsrespondedandcurrentlywearecurrentlycollatingallthedataprovided.Thedatacapturedisbased
onevidencethattakesinto accounttheviewsandexperience ofthoseaffectedanditiscriticalforustoensurethatanynewarrangementsareworkablefortheindustryandlessees.Thenextstepisthatwewill
beholdinganothermeetingwithrepresentationfromourmembersandindustrystakeholdersinJanuary2016togothroughourfindingsandreportonthedatacapturedandmyselfBenJordanandMartinPerry(Chairman)ofARMAwillalsobemeetingwiththeCMA.
10 the rpm newsletter December 2015 www.irpm.org.uk
Noella Morton FIRPMAssocRICS, HeadofOperationsatARMA
www.irpm.org.uk December 2015 the rpm newsletter 11
QUALIFICATIONS WORKING GROUP
(QWG)
MichaelMeschini-ChairMattAshley-Vice-Chair
DrRobertKeatsJeffPlatt
MartinRochfortIanSmallmanJanieStrange
MEMBERSHIP WORKING GROUP
(MWG)
HelenChristie-ChairSamanthaMassey-
Vice-ChairCarrickJohnsonMartinNewhouse
PaulTaylor
WEB/IT & MARKETING WORKING GROUP
(WEBITMWG)
PeterDevere-Catt- Chair
ChrisWiles-Vice-ChairTomLean
JanMiravite-TileyEmilyOrner
IRPM BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM SEPTEMBER 2015
CHAIRMAN 2014-16DavidClarkFIRPMAssocRICS
VICE-CHAIRMAN 2014-16FelixKeenMCIPDMIRPMJOINT CHIEF EXECUTIVEJeffPlattFRICSFIRPM
JOINT CHIEF EXECUTIVEJanieStrangeFRICSFIRPM
DIRECTOR FOR SCOTLANDMartinRochfort FIRPMFRICS
MattAshleyMIRPMHelenChristieFIRPMPeterDevere-Catt MIRPMMRICS
SamanthaMassey MRICSMIRPMMichaelMeschini AIRPMFMAAT
JanMiravite-Tiley MIRPMAssocRICS
Who does the work of the IRPM?AreyouinterestedinhelpingwiththeIRPMworkloadorwonderingwhattherouteistobecominganIRPMBoardDirector?Readon…BoardDirectorsareappointed
fromthevolunteersonthethreeWorkingGroups(WG):Membership,QualificationsandWeb/Marketing.ByservingonaWG,membersgainexperienceofthevariousaspectsofIRPMworkandhaveanopportunitytobecomeChairofaWG.Chair’softheWG’sjointheBoardasDirector.BoardDirectors,theStaffTeamand
WGmemberssharetheInstitute’sworkload.Inadditiontothedaytodayadministrationofthe3200+members,theDirectors,StaffTeamandWGvolunteersworkonprojects. Examples of work achieved in 2015 are:• ImprovingtheaccessibilityofthemonthlyTechnicalUpdates–usefulmaterialforallmembersandespeciallythosestudyingfortheIRPMexams.• DevelopingtheInstitute’smagazine‘TheRPM’,increasingthecirculationtonon-membersinhard-copyatvariousevents,conferencesandseminars.• BesteverAnnualMembersSeminar.NextyearthiseventmovestotheRoyalInstituteofBritishArchitects(RIBA)inPortlandPlace-
Wednesday18thMay2016.• FourRegionalSeminarsheldinNewbury,Stevenage,LeedsandBirmingham• Developmentoftheonlinemembers’databaseandMembersAreaofthewebsite.Nowincludesenablingmemberstoupdatetheirownprofilesandresetpasswords.NewAffiliatesarenowabletoregisteronlineinaninstant!• Increasedengagementthroughsocialmedia,morememberandnon-memberfollowers,promotionandreportingonliveevents,cases,industrynews,etc.• IRPM’sdevelopmentofthePrivateRentalSector(PRS)syllabusandsignoffbytheGovernment’sPRSTaskForcealongwithrelevantlearningandtrainingmaterial.• ActivemembershipofthegroupdevelopingtheTrailblazerApprenticeshipsinHousingandPropertyManagementatLevels2,3&4.StandardsnowagreedwithBIS(DepartmentforBusiness,InnovationandSkills)andupontheGovernment’sTrailblazerwebsite.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of the Working Groups please contact the office for an application form: [email protected] or 020 7935 8478.
Jeff Platt FRICS FIRPM–FormerChairmanandcurrentlyJointCEOofIRPM,Jeffhas30years’experience in commercial and
residentialpropertymanagement.Hehasspecialistexpertiseinthemanagementandsaleofleaseholdretirementpropertiesandhasbeenheavilyinvolvedindevelopingprofessionalqualificationsandtrainingwithintheleaseholdmanagementsector.
Matt Ashley MIRPM –NewDirector to theBoardcommencing September2015butlongstandingmemberofthe
QualificationsWorkingGroup(QWG),MattisLegalDirector,UKatOsborneClarkeSolicitors,providingadvicetoresidentialandcommercialdevelopers.
Samantha Massey MRICS MIRPM -NewDirectortotheBoard commencing September2015,SamanthaisVice-Chairof
theMembershipWorkingGroup,AssociateDirectoratManagedLivingPartnerships,SamanthaalsorecentlyqualifiedasaCharteredSurveyor.
Chairman 2014-16 - David Clark FIRPM AssocRICS –FoundingGovernoroftheIRPMin2002,formerChairof
ARMAandcurrentIRPMBoardChairman,DavidisanowneratMainstayGroupandhasavarietybusinessinterests.MostrecentlyhebecameadirectorofFortisPropertyCare,oneofthelargestin-housemaintenancecompaniesforasocialhousing provider in the UK.
Janie Strange FRICS FIRPM – Founding Governor of the IRPM in 2002, past Chairman and current Joint CEO, Janie has
spent the last twenty years involved in residential block management. Formerly a partner at Cluttons and more recently Director of Property Management for Grosvenor’s London Estate, she is also the technical author of the (draft) Third Edition of the RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code.
Helen Christie FIRPM - is a TechnicalOfficerattheAssociationofResidentialManagingAgents.Sheisalsoan
FIRPMandChairoftheIRPM’sMembershipWorkingGroup.HelenstudiedCriminologyandLawatNorthumbriaUniversityandsheholdsadegreeinLaw.
Jan Miravite-Tiley MIRPM AssocRICS–pastChairoftheIRPM’sWeb/ITWorkingGroup,JanisaRegionalProperty
ManageratFirstPortBespokePropertyServices.
Vice-Chairman 2014-16 - Felix Keen MCIPD MIRPM -CurrentVice-ChairoftheIRPMBoard,FelixhasservedformanyyearsontheIRPM’s
MembershipWorkingGroupandExecutiveCommittee.HehasworkedattheFirstPortGroupsince2002inseniorrolescoveringHumanResources,PropertyManagementandiscurrentlyHeadofPropertyStandards.
Martin Rochfort FIRPM FRICS -IRPM’sDirectorforScotland,pastChairman,memberoftheQualificationsWorkingGroupandChairmanofthe
IRPMCollegeofFellows.FormerPresidentofthePropertyManagersAssociationforScotland(PMAS).
Peter Devere-Catt MIRPM MRICS –NewDirectortotheBoard commencing September2015,PeterisChairoftheIRPM’sWebWorkingGroup.
HeisaPartneratKnightFrank.
Michael Meschini AIRPM FMAAT -ChairoftheIRPM’sQualificationsWorkingGroup2014-16,Michael’sexpertiseisinServiceChargeAccountingandhe
iscommittedtothedevelopmentofthisaspectofpropertymanagement.MichaelistheBoard’sDirectorwithasharpeyeontheIRPM’sFinances.
12 the rpm newsletter December 2015 www.irpm.org.uk
Board Directors
TheWeb,ITandMarketingWorkingGroup(WEBITMWG)overseesthewebsite,ITprovisionandcentralisedmarketingfunctionsoftheIRPMunderthedirectionoftheBoard.Duringthecurrentmembershipyear(2015/16)thefocusofthegrouphasbeenon:• Theprovisionofanewlookonlineresourcehub• Refreshingthelookofthewebsite• Furthermembershipdatabaseimprovements• Improvementsinmarketingandcommunications
RESOURCE HUBTheResourceHubisanexistingresourceontheIRPMwebsitewhichtheboardhaveaskedtheworkinggrouptoimproveandexpandthecapabilityofwithaviewtore-launchinganewandimprovedversiontothemembership.Followingagreatdealoffocusonthisissueoverrecentmonths,plansforthehubfromanITperspectivearenowatanadvancedstage.Mock-upsofpossiblelooksforthehubandwebsitewererecentlypresentedattheFellowsdayandnewlogooptionshavebeenpreparedbyadesigner.Therehasbeenlots
ofdiscussionoftheoptionsandcosts.TheGroupfeltthatitmightbebettertostartwithanewITplatformbutgiventhebudgetavailableandafterdiscussionswiththeboardhaveproceededwithmakingasmanycosteffectiveimprovementsaspossibletothe existingplatform.
WEBSITEWhilelookingattheResourceHuboptionstheopportunityarosetoincludeare-skinofthecurrentsiteintheplans.AsagroupwefeltthatthiswasimportantinordertopresentamodernandforwardlookingimageoftheIRPMtotheworld.Thesedevelopmentsarenowatanadvancedstage,adesignerhavingcompletedplansforthese.WearenowworkingontheunderpinningdeliveryofthenewsitewithDwellantwhoprovidethedatabasefunctionalitytothewebsite.
DATABASEPartoftheworkoftheGroupistosupportSarah, AgaandDiptiintheirworkindeliveringtheservicesintheIRPMoffice.Overthelastfewyearswehaveworkedonnumerousprojectswhichhaveresultedinnumerousimprovementsbothinuserfunctionality andofficelaboursavingtothebenefitofall.Thestateofthedatabaseandimprovementsrequiredisconstantlyreviewedbythegroupanddiscussedattheregularmeetings.
MARKETINGThisisanareawithsignificantoverlapwithothergroupswhoarealsointrinsicallylinkedtothemarketingposition.Duringthecourseoftheyearameetingwasheldwiththemembershipworkinggroupinordertodiscussmarketingoptionsforincreasingmembership.ThegroupalsoregularlydiscussedmarketingthroughsocialmediaandalotofworkisbeingdoneinthisareatopublicisetheIRPM.
ROUNDUPIthasbeenanexcitingyearforthegroup,andwe arehopingtodeliversomeoftheimprovementswehavespentsomuchofthisyearplanningtothemembershipin2016.
www.irpm.org.uk December 2015 the rpm newsletter 13
Update from the Web/IT and Marketing Working GroupPeterDevere-CattMRICSMIRPM,Web/ITWGChair
14 the rpm newsletter December 2015 www.irpm.org.uk
IRPM Office Quick Bites!>Knowyourmembershiplevelsanddesignations“Affiliatenodesignation,AssociateAIRPM,MemberMIRPM andFellowFIRPM”
>Affiliatescanjoinonline–this isbrandnew!Thelocationis: Membership/JointheIRPM/registerONLINEforAffiliatemembership
>YoucanedityourownprofileintheMembersAreahere:
>DidyouknowthattheAssociate examisequivalenttolevel3NVQandtheMembersexamtolevel4NVQ?
>TheIRPMMembershipyearrunsfromAprilthroughtoMarch,subscriptionrenewalsaredueApril1st
Your IRPM Office StaffSarah Williams Finance&OperationsManager
AgaBanasiakOfficeManager
Dipti GadherMembershipAdministrator
HOW COULD YOU WIN?YouneedtoupdateyourIRPM2015CPDbyloggingintotheMembersOnlysectionoftheIRPMwebsite.
OnceyouhaveloggedintotheIRPMwebsite,goto:https://irpm.org.uk/members/page/cpd-update
AddyourCPDentriesasperthefollowingheadings:• ActivityTitle• ActivityDate• TotalHours• Whatdidyoulearn?• Howwillitbenefityouinfuture?• Ifyou’rereadingthissentence–congratulationsforfindingit!Toenterachampagnedrawjustsendanemailto‘[email protected]’tellingusbrieflywhatyoulikedordidn’tlikeaboutthisissueofRPM.Oneentrypermember-tobedrawn18thJanuary2016.
PleasebesuretosaveanychangesyoumakeonyourCPDrecords.Don’tloseyourentries!
Rememberyouhaveuntil31stDecembertorecord yourCPDhoursfor2015.
Needalittlehelponwhatisrelevent?https://www.irpm.org.uk/public/page/relevant-CPD activities
IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED RICS (OR OTHER ORGANISATION) CPD - thenallyouhavetodoisloginintotheMembersAreaandaddtwoentriesof CPDfor2015at8hourseachwith“RICSCPD”intheheadingandbodyoftheentries.
WIN AN IPAD MINI
www.irpm.org.uk December 2015 the rpm newsletter 15
CASE UPDATESTRIPLEROSE LTD V NINETY BROOMFIELD ROAD RTM CO LTD TheCourtofAppealdecidedthataRighttoManagecompanycannotacquiretherighttomanage(RTM)formorethanoneself-containedbuildingorpartofabuilding.ThishascreateduncertaintyforexistingRTMcompaniesformedtomanagemorethanoneblock:issuchacompany’sstatusasanRTMcompanyvalidandifnot,howshouldthesituationberectified?EachcasewouldneeditsownbespokeadvicebutyoushouldconsiderthattheCourtofAppealisgenerallyconsideredtobedeclaratoryofwhatthelawalwayswasandnotprospectivedecisionswhichchangethelaw.Therefore,theCourtofAppealhasconfirmedthatitwasalwaysthelawthatanRTMcompanycanonlyexercisetherighttomanageforoneblock.
INGRAM V CHURCH COMMISSIONERS FOR ENGLANDTheUpperTribunal(LandsChamber)appealofferssomeclarification;VATchargedbyamanagingagentonthesalariesofcaretakingstaffwasrecoverablethroughtheservicechargeastheVATdidnotfallwithintheextra-statutoryconcessionsetoutinVATNotice48paragraph3.18.TheUpperTribunalalsosuggestedthatincurringVATonitemschargedtoservicechargesmaypotentiallyallowleaseholderstoarguethattheresultingincreasedcosttothemisunreasonableforthepurposesofsection19oftheLandlordandTenantAct1985,ifitispossibletoarrangetheworksorservicesconcerned,withoutincurringVAT.
COWLING V WORCESTER COMMUNITY HOUSING LTD TheUpperTribunalappealheldthattheFirstTierTribunal(PropertyChamber)(FTT)cannothearaservice
chargechallengewhenthoseservicechargesalreadyformpartofacountycourtmoneyjudgment.
SKELTON & OTHERS V DBS HOMES (KINGS HILL) LIMITEDTheappealtotheUpperTribunal(LandsChamber)concernedservicechargesdemandedonaccountfortheyears2011-12,2012-13and2013-14.TheUpperTribunalheldthatthechargesbecamepayablewhenthecopyoftheestimateasrequiredbythelease,wasprovidedtothelesseesin2014.Asthedemandswereonaccounti.e.theywereforestimatedfuturecostsratherthancostsincurredmorethan18monthsbeforethedemand,section20BoftheLandlordandTenantAct1985didnotapply.
WILLENS V INFLUENTIAL CONSULTANTS LTDInthisUpperTribunal(LandsChamber)forfeitureappeal,thelandlordemaileditssolicitorswithexpressinstructionsconcerningthepreparationandserviceofanoticeundersection146oftheLawofPropertyAct1925.Theemailwasheldtobeclearevidencethatthelandlordwascontemplatingforfeitureofthelease.Thereforethelandlord’slegalfeesincurredatthetimewereadministrationchargeswithinthewordingofthe leaseandwererecoverablefromthelessee.
POST BOX GROUND RENTS LTD V POST BOX RTM CO LTD TheUpperTribunal(LandsChamber)heldthatwhereaRTMcompanyhasappliedtotheFTTseekingtoacquirethestatutoryrighttomanageundertheCommonholdandLeaseholdReformAct2002,itcouldnotunilaterallywithdrawthatapplication;theFTTshouldformallydismisstheapplicationtoensurethatthelandlordisentitledtorecoveritscostsoftheproceedingsundertheAct.
Insurance Premium Tax Reminder“Just to remind you with effect from 1st November 2015, Insurance Premium Tax will be increasing from 6% to 9.5%Thiswillmeanthebuildings
insurancepremiumwillbeincreasedby3.5%forIPTandindexlinking;currentlybetween4-5%(soyou
couldbelookingat8.5%increaseonlastyear’spremiumsforclaimfreebusiness).Thisisbeforeanygeneralrateincreases;shouldtheinsurerdecidetoimposeoneandanyadditionalrateincreases;shouldyourdevelopmenthavesufferedanyclaimswithintheperiodof
insurance,areapplied.Pleasehavethisinmindwhen
settingthebudgetsforyourclientsormanagingtheirrenewalexpectations!” MemofromMariaAmes-AssociateDirector,StGilesInsuranceandFinanceServicesLtd:
16 the rpm newsletter December 2015 www.irpm.org.uk
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WRITING TO US AT:Institute of Residential Property Management Ltd75 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8JP
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