SUMMER2012
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lesleyDavis Editor
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TheJournal for Residents’Management Companiessupported byARMA
Issue 11
flat-living.co.uk Make thebestofyour
block:inside andout WelcoMe to the suMMer issue of Flat Living.Warmer weather has beena long timecoming this year, so in celebration of the fact that thecountry hasfinallybeenfreed fromthehosepipeban -and in hope of sunnier days ahead–wetakeacloserlookatcommunal gardens. Turn to pages 18-19 formore onmaking themost of the green
space you share with neighbours, fromappointing a garden designer to growing your ownfruit andveg. Also in this issuewefocus on the right tomanage (see pages 53-59) and on
appointing an agent.Wetake readersthrough theRTMprocessand explainwhatflat owners’rightsand obligationsare once they have decidedtotakethe plunge.RMC directorswithanactiveroleinmanagementmay be interested in twofreeguides wehave produced to help leaseholders,looking at health andsafetyand firerisk assessments.Email us at
sue@flat-living.comfor your copy. In largeblocks, thetaskofself-management is oftentoomuch to take on anda
professionalmanager is required.Onpages 47 to 51 wetake alookatthe insand outs of finding the right agent tomeet your needs. Also on pages 33-35 JonathanSmith, managing director of Trinity Estates, gives an insight intowhat he believes is key to building a successful propertymanagement business. Anissuethatisatthe root ofmany leaseholddisputesisthe fact that flatowners
don’talwaysunderstandtheir lease. Alease is acomplex legaldocumentthat should be explained in simple terms to homebuyers fromthe outset. So Flat Living is campaigning to promote the use of specialist conveyancing solicitorswho are fully versed in thesmall print and cangive buyers a betterunderstanding of theway leaseholdworks. See page 10 of this issue formore. Seasoned flatowners canalso do their bit by passing on a copy of Flat Living to neighboursmoving in to a flat for the first time.Weaimto fillour pages with useful advice andinformation that should helpunravel the complexities of leasehold life and are offering newreaders a half- price subscription for the first year. So pass it on.
lesleyDavis Editor
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Flat Living Summer 2012
7
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