Darren Bagnall from Manage Your Block explains how to set up a fool proof maintenance programme for your block of flats. When you think of looking after a block of flats, the first thing that comes to mind is handling maintenance issues- not just as a legal and statutory requirement but also as an essential…

Darren Bagnall from Manage Your Block discusses accounting practices for Residents’ Management Companies. When taking on the role of Residents’ Management Company (RMC) Director or Officer, many tasks that land at your feet may feel somewhat overwhelming- and none more so than accounting and service charge calculations. These tasks are often best left to professionals…

One of the biggest challenges facing a newly formed apartment block management company is making adequate provision for health and safety measures.  It is important not only to ensure that the current arrangements for areas within the purview of the company are checked and documented, but also that plans are made to protect the wellbeing…

Manage Your Block outlines the key areas of health and safety for blocks of flats to consider. The following summarises the main Health and Safety regulations that apply to leasehold flats and leasehold apartments, but there are many other Health and Safety checks that should be completed. The duty to comply with the regulations falls…

Darren Bagnall from Manage Your Block looks at some of the challenges of managing leasehold apartments. If you are a leasehold apartment resident, the prospect of taking control of the affairs of your block by exercising your Right to Manage can be daunting.  What professionally approved assistance is available to those undertaking the management of…

For apartment block managers and Residents’ Management Companies (RMC) , the administration relating to the upkeep of the building and related tasks can prove overwhelming.  But when you use purpose-designed software for managing blocks of flats, fulfilling your responsibilities and accessing block management services and resources can be reduced from a time-consuming chore to a…

More and more apartment residents are taking charge of their environments and investments by forming Residents Management Companies.  This arrangement gives occupants the opportunity to manage their building as they see fit, in conjunction with their neighbours, to create stable communities and welcoming homes. Of course, any company needs to be well organized administratively if…

Darren Bagnall from Manage Your Block explains the difference between Leasehold and Freehold. The roots of land ownership laws in England go back many centuries, and the body of law we are left with today is very complex which is why solicitors must be involved whenever you buy or sell property. When it comes to…

Darren Bagnall from Manage Your Block explains exactly what a listed building is. Most people are aware of the existence of ‘listed” buildings and the fact that there are extra controls around what can and can’t be altered by their owners, but what does being ‘listed’ actually mean? The List Being listed means just that-…

Darren Bagnall from Manage Your Block explains the importance of working smoke detectors. The importance of fire safety, both from an insurance point of view and simply for the sake of those in your household, should not be underestimated. According to Government statistics, in the year to September 2020 there were 27,797 primary dwelling fires…

Darren Bagnall from Block in a Box advises the Residents’ Management Company (RMC) must ‘take all reasonable precautions to prevent or minimise loss, destruction, damage, accident or injury and maintain the premises, machinery, equipment to a good state of repair”. Things to consider: It may be convenient to overlook any maintenance issues, even for a short…

Darren Bagnall, Managing Director of Flat Living Insurance investigates the risks to Residents’ Management Company Directors  whilst performing their duties. Those who serve on a Residents’ Management Company (RMC), Right to Manage (RTM) or Residents Association (RA) committee often do so in a very selfless way. They work with the best interests of the individual…