INSURANCE Newluxury flats in Hackbridge AGENTS
HaCkbRIdgeISaReato watCHSaySJJHomeS
JJ Homes have recently been instructed asmanaging agents by Taylor Wimpey tomanage the Centrale mixed usedevelopment in
Hackbridge.The largesite, includingresidential and commercial buildings, was selected by Taylor Wimpey as an up andcomingareaclose to theCroydon andSuttonborders with fast linksintoLondon butin green, tranquil surroundings. “There is theusualmix of
luxury flats,Housing Association homes and commercial property here,givingthe developmenta welcome balance needed in the
AGENTS
NewRICSqualIfICatIoNIN pRopeRtymaNagemeNt
Doyouknowwhatyourmanaging agent’scredentials are?Nowthere isanewqualificationtolookout for: AssociateRICSinResidential PropertyManagement. Anyone gainingthis
qualificationwillnot only have at leastfouryears experience as amanagingagent butwillalso be subjecttothe sameexacting ethicaland professional standards as fullcorporatemembersofthe Royal InstitutionofChartered Surveyors. GeorgianaHubbard, Associate
Director,Residential at the RICS explainswhythe new designation has beenintroduced. “Itwas felt that therewerealot
Flat Living Autumn2011
of very good propertymanagers outthere,who becausetheywere specialising in asmall area of professional practice,werenot in a position to gain full chartered surveyor status but still could meet thehighstandards expected of RICSmembership in their specialist field”. Sheadds: “RICSisall about
raisingstandards andwith the increase in theamount of leaseholdpropertynow under management,the RICS considers it importantfor landlordsand leaseholders that goodmanaging agents are recognised as such”.
Formore information on RICS-qualified managing agents, go
towww.rics.org
neighbourhood,” says JJ Homes Managing Director,Anthony Tokatly.“Wearetotally delighted with theappointment,the development is close by, enabling us to keep thestrictpro-active management approach that we deliverasstandardtoall ournew build properties”. He goes on to say “Hackbridge
is soon to become the area to watch in South London – there are many other large developments in thepipelinewhich will see this area redefined as a desirable alternative to its overdeveloped, pricier neighbours.”
RepoRtINglINeS Followingthe riotsacrossthe UKin August,insurersare doing all they can to deal swiftly with claims. If your blockhas been affectedyou should have been in touchwithyourinsurance companyasquickly as possible to ensure your claim is dealt with fast
andefficiently.The local police authority also has a legal responsibility to reimburse anyone sustaining damage to property as aresultofthe riot underthe Riot DamagesAct 1886. Don’t forget though that if you are claiming compensation for riot damage,youmust be able to provide evidence of any loss. Forfuturereference,inthe
RIotClaImS
eventofany similardisturbances, insurerResidentsline advisesthat if you have a policy with them, youshouldrefer to theclaims section of the website for relevant telephonenumbers andnotify your claim within 7daysofany incident occurring.
ENERGY
lIttleHamptoNbloCk ReaCHeSNewHeIgHtSIN INSulatIoN
ResidentsatKingmere, a13-storey high-riseblock in Littlehampton canlookforward to lowerenergy bills this winter thanks to the West Sussex FlatsInsulation Projectwhich has provided them with cavity wall insulation. Thetwo-yearproject, set
up in 2009 by theWest Sussex Partnership, was designed not only to offer practicalhelpto residents wishing to insulate their homes but also to provide financial assistance forwork that canprove prohibitively expensivefor flatowners. Access issues, together with the fact that freeholders, short-hold rental tenantsandmanaging agents as well as long leaseholders allhave an interest in abuilding,often make it difficult to get the go- ahead for improvements. At Kingmere,the high cost of
accessequipment to 13 storeys meantall theresidents of the block needed to contribute to costs, despitegrant fundingfor the project. Avalon Abseiling were chosen to carryout the work,which wascompleted at a totalcost of £24,600–around60%
EVENTS
fpRa CelebRateS 40yeaRS
This year,the Federation of PrivateResidents Associations (FPRA) is celebrating four decades of representingthe interestsof leaseholders and campaigning on their behalf. Theorganisationoffers its
members impartial advice on a rangeoflegal andother problems concerning theirlease andthe management of their blocks, whether their tenancy is Long Leasehold, Rent Act, or Assured
Short-hold.The FPRA will be holdingananniversaryevent at the Victory Services Club in London on 9 November,which will include the annual AGM, plus invited speakers and a leaseholder surgerywhere expertswillbeon hand to offer help and advice.
Anyone whoisinterested in attending should contactthe FPRA or go to the website
atwww.fpra.org to register online
Abseiling saves moneyfor residents
cheaperthancomparative quotes forusing
scaffolding.Ittookjust over a year to get all 53 residents at Kingmere to agreetothe insulation projectbut according to Jo Brooks, the energy efficiency officerwithArunDistrictcouncil who has been overseeing the project, ultimately notasingle leaseholder protested to paying their contribution. Roy Scrivener theKingmerefreeholder, reports that he is delighted with the work.“Residentslivinginthe most exposedtop floor flathave already noticed the difference,” he says.
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