What is a Block Manager?
Property Block Management is the process of managing a number of residential properties within the same building.
This includes:
- collecting service charges and ground rents
- organising works and maintenance on the property (like:
- internal cleaning,
- external cleaning,
- gardening,
- tree care,
- emergency works
- plumbing and electricians,
- painting and decorating, etc.
Your responsibilities as a tenant
Managing a block of flats requires specific skills and knowledge and the commitment to the job. A poorly managed property can have an impact on the long-term enjoyment of your home. Potentially, also on its future value. So, as a leaseholder, you should know how your building is being managed and who it is being managed by.
It’s normally the landlord who is responsible for the overall management of the building. This could be an individual person, a company or a local authority. It could even be the leaseholders themselves if a residents’ management company (RMC) is in place.
Some landlords choose to manage the building themselves. However, it’s more common for them to appoint a professional managing agent to manage and maintain the property on their behalf. Choose if you might need to hire one, taking our “I need a Property Manager” quiz!
Why should you use a Block Manager?
Managing a block of flats requires a professional approach and the time to do it.
A Block manager will have a good knowledge of
- landlord and tenant law,
- building construction,
- health and safety regulations,
- basic accounting and a range of other skills.
Managing agents take instructions from the landlord, not the individual leaseholders. Nonetheless, a good managing agent will always be aware of the requirements and wishes of the flat owners. Indeed, a managing agent plays an important part in your life as a leaseholder and the smooth running of your building.
Whoever appoints the managing agent, as a leaseholder you pay for their services through your service charges. For this reason, it is in your best interest to have a professional and experienced agent who does the job well.
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What is a Block Manager responsible for?
Some of the property management duties and responsibilities are:
- be knowledgeable
- have a full understanding of the structure and meaning of leases,
- have a thorough knowledge of relevant Landlord and Tenant legislation,
- help you understand your rights and obligations,
- be professional,
- committed to best practice,
- committed to good customer service,
- comply with relevant standards and codes of practice,
- operate an independent complaints procedure,
- be subject to external scrutiny,
- be transparent,
- able to provide full accounting facilities for budgeting, service charge and year-end accounting and give you access to accounts
- support you and your fellow leaseholders in ensuring that service charge money is spent wisely.
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Check our Property and Home Management services here.
Please contact Pelin Martin regarding block management queries or to book your 30-minute free property consultation on +0208 994 7327 – pm@bluecrystallondon.co.uk
West London Property Networking