Flat-Living.co.uk ARMA
The industry says...
The Association of Residential Managing Agents’ (ARMA) 14th debt collection and how the LVTs can be used on the process.
annual conference, 2009, took place in the Queen Elizabeth II After lunch, delegates were treated to a dramatic simulation of a fire
Conference Centre, westminster - below Flat Living provides a which opened a riveting session on the importance of fire risk assessments
fascinating insight of the day’s events. in blocks of flats. Sam Fentem, director of Premier Estates Ltd, related
Brett Williams, ARMA’s Chairman, opened the conference and his his experience of a massive fire in a converted mill of 72 flats which
third year in office by explaining some of the significant achievements resulted in the complete destruction of the building and many residents
and activities of ARMA over the last year. These include an ARMA being left homeless. His powerful talk really centred everyone’s attention
representative being invited to sit on the Property Standards Board on the importance of carrying out an efficient emergency plan. Sam’s
(PSB), the development of a Code on lettings in leasehold as well as experiences were backed-up by his co-speaker in the session, ARMA’s
a property manager’s guide to fire risk assessments which should both health and safety consultant David Foster of Eljay Health and Safety, who
be available this year. It was then that Brett was able to announce that provided guidance on the fire regulations and what ARMA is doing to
ARMA had signed up to the independent Surveyors Ombudsman Service provide further direction.
(SOS) which has since introduced a robust, efficient element to ARMA’s It was particularly beneficial for the Conference to welcome a
complaints procedure. The first guest speaker of the day, Baroness government speaker, Simon Llewellyn, then head of private housing
Maggie Jones who is the chairman of the SOS, welcomed ARMA to the at Communities and Local Government (CLG), who described to the
scheme and elaborated on its importance during her session. delegates that the government is seriously leaning towards statutory
ARMA’s chief executive, David Hewett gave crucial guidance on the regulation of managing agents along with all other agents involved in
impending new accounting regulations: S152 and S156; the final critical residential property.
elements of the infamous CLRA 2002. David announced there will be The day was rounded off with a lively panel session chaired by
a requirement to hold lessee service charge funds in designated bank TV property presenter, Martin Roberts. The panel was made up of
accounts and that a prescribed form of annual service charge accounts representatives across the industry, including Tony Essien, chief
will have to be issued within six months of the year end. He reinforced executive of LEASE, and provided a variety of opinions on some of the
ARMA’s support of the new regulations and their importance in the major issues in block management today. It was also an opportunity for
protection of and accountability for lessees’ service charge funds. the delegates to put their questions and opinions before the collective
Undoubtedly, one of the key skills in a property manager’s life is to voices of the leasehold sector.
prepare for the unforeseen. This was what David Clark, managing director The ARMA Conference sold out weeks before it took place and
of Mainstay, spoke on and he provided delegates with some inspiring and was attended by over 500 property managers, accountants, lawyers
creative advice on how best to prepare for and deal with various property and directors of residents management companies as well as
management crises that can arise. This neatly linked in with a session from representatives of government and other trade bodies. This must firmly
Andrew McKeer, director of Prior Estates Ltd, on arrears, debt management cement it as the one true event for all those involved in residential
and the LVTs. Andrew and his fellow speakers, Andrew Raby of Thackray leasehold and must surely by now be a regular entry in every property
Williams Solicitors and Stan Gallagher of Tanfield Chambers, drew on their manager’s diary - this year’s conference will be taking place on 4th
collective experiences to advise on arrears prevention, the legal process of November so get it in your diary and book early!
A packed conference hall.
The ARMA Conference was a high-tech affair.
David Clark,
Managing
Director of
Mainstay
Group,
imparting wis-
dom on what to
do when things
Andrew McKeer, Director
go wrong.
of Prior Estates, Stan
Gallagher of Tanfield
chambers and Andrew
ARMA’s Chairman, Brett Williams, Raby of Thackray Williams
brings delegates up to date on the Solicitors deliver combined
association’s many activities over advice on arrears, debt
the last year. management and the LVTs.
20
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