News Flat Living


ARMA-Q launch NewAct


Transfer fees Gate safety


WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE LEASEHOLD SECTOR SELF-REGULATION


ARMACOMMITSTOHIGHEST STANDARDSOFSERVICEYET


Owners of leaseholdflatsare set to get greater protection against poorservice frommanaging agents followingthe launch of ARMA’s newregulatoryregime- knownasARMA-Q-inMay. ARMA-Q,which has received


cross-partypolitical support, represents a significant change in theway that propertymanagers whoaremembersofARMAwill be regulated by their trade body. Most important for flat owners is theimmediate introduction of independent scrutiny of agents by aregulatorypanel ledbyformer housing minister Keith Hill. This


AWARDS


TOUCHSTONE WINSRESI AWARDS


Touchstone was named Property Manager of the Year at Property Week’s prestigious ResiAwards ceremony held in London earlier thismonth. Chief Executive Tim Saunders was delighted with the outcome, saying, “These are highly regarded awards in thepropertyindustryand to be namedbyour peers as the nation’s best propertymanager is acredittoall thoseinvolved, and something ofwhich we are extremely proud.” Thejudgesalsopraised


Touchstone’s recently announced move to join thePlaces forPeople Group as “a clever deal that will enhancebothbusinesses”.


is thefirst timethatmanaging agents have been subject to such regulation and further safeguards will be introduced from2015,whenARMAmembers will also be required to sign up to aconsumercharter and professional standardswhich will commit themto providing a high level of customer service. Baroness Hayter, the Labour


peerwho has been instrumental in the development of ARMA-Q, described the newregimeas a“majorforce”for consumer protection. Herviews are shared by BaronessHanham,


Parliamentary Under Secretary of Stateatthe Department forCommunities andLocal Government,who welcomed the regimeon behalf of the government.“Leaseholdisan important and growing housing tenure,and also acomplex -and at times problematic - one. The government is very supportive of self-regulation by the sector.We thereforewelcomethesteps that ARMAis nowtaking-through ARMA-Q -toset high standards of service, best practice and probity for itsmembers,” she said.


INSURANCE


FLOOD AGREEMENT EXTENDED


TheAssociation of British Insurers (ABI) has confirmed that itsmembers will continue to offer flood insurance for an extramonth beyond theend of the current agreement with Governmentwhichexpires on 30 June. Since 2000, a ‘Statement


of Principles’has ensured householders canaccess insuranceagainst flood in exchange for state investment in flood defences. However, this agreement is coming to an end andnew arrangements have not yetbeenagreed. Theonemonth extension


has been welcomed by property specialistsbut thesituationmust be resolved ifUKhouseholds are nottobeput at risk of theirhomes becominguninsurable.


COMPETITION


WINA KINDLEFIRE


NEWMAYOR


Congratulations toBobSmytherman, chairmanof theFederationof PrivateResidentsAssociations (FPRA)andFlat Living columnist,who has justbeeninauguratedasMayor ofWorthingfor thecomingyear. Bobhaslivedin theWestSussexseasidetownall hislifeandwasfirst electedtoWorthingBoroughCouncilin2002.AsaCouncillorBobhas servedonmostoftheCouncil’scommitteesandheis delightedtobe ableto represent thetownandhelp promoteits attractions to visitors andthepublic.


DOYOURECOGNISETHISMAN? EXPERT OPINION NEWLEGALWRITERFORFLATLIVING


Touchstone receiving their award in May


Flat Living Issue 14, Spring


Flat Living is delightedtoannounce that ourregular contributors will be joined by JonathanUpton, a barrister at TanfieldChambers specialising in property disputes. Jonathan will be submitting


case lawfor inclusionon the Flat Livingwebsiteandwritingfor the magazine.Heisaservice charges expert andwas junior counsel in therecentSupremeCourtcaseof Daejan Investments Ltd v Benson


Jonathan is also the Editor


of the Service Charges section for Property LawUK (propertylawuk. net).Welookforward to reading what he has to sayinfuture issues.


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TheFederationofPrivate Residents Associations (FPRA) is supporting an Annual Survey of Leaseholderswhichisbeing conductedbyLivingCity.Please take afewmoments to complete the surveywhich we hope will provide somevaluable insight andunderstandingastowhatthe main issuesofconcern arefor flat owners today. Youdonot need to provide your detailstocomplete thesurvey, butthere is aprize draw to winanAmazon7”Kindle Fire forthose that do wantto participate. Go towww.livingcity. co.uk/survey/index.php/429515/ lang-en to take part.


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