Residents’ AssociAtions


garden parties? An RA does allofthat–andmuch,much


What’sINIT forME? *


IaMoftenaskedwhat does a residents’ association (RA) do? Discuss bin collections? Deal with noise complaints? Organise


more. But the reality is that their role is less aboutrefusecollections andmoreabout the majorissues affecting leaseholders -ensuring that youhaveasay in howyourbuilding is run, fosteringasense of communityand saving youmoney too. An RA is a voluntary bodymade up of


residentsfrom ablock or development whowillmeetregularly to discussissues affecting theirhomes.Members areusually owner-occupiersand they will follow aset of guidelineswhichstate theprocedure for meetings,positions in theassociation andhow oftenitmeets. Forresidents thismeans they cannot


only raiseany issuestheymight have –from communal parkingtonoise –but also they canbecomemoreactivelyinvolvedinthe long termmanagement of theblock andhow their service charge is spent. An RA will typicallyagree theannual


budget with theirpropertymanager, overseeing plans andcostsofmajor maintenanceorrepairworkand helpingto liaise with local authorities to ensure services are run effectively. In blockswhere there is a property


management companyinplace,individual managers can oftenwork more effectively with an RA as a representative group of residents rather than trying to liaise with anumberof separate individuals. ForinstanceatPeverel we wouldtypically be present at themost importantmeetingsorAGMsandmembersof theRAcan accompanyourmanagers on tours of thedevelopmenttopersonallyidentifyany areas needing attention. OMPropertyManagement is one of the


largest residentialmanagingagent businesses in thePeverel Group.AsOMOperations ManagerDominic Gearon says,“having an RA in placemakes a huge difference to our work.


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jusTdoN’ThavE TIME? Joining or setting up an RA does not necessar- ilyinvolve hugeamountsoftime.Meetings are normally held in the evenings to accom- modate thosewho work andusuallytake place six to 12 times a year. There will usually also be an AGMtoreviewthe development’s budget.Members (particularly those with po- sitionsonthe RA committee)may also need to


AnRAis a voluntary bodymadeupof


affectingtheir homes


spendafew hoursamonth on administration andliaisingwiththe propertymanager. Dominic’spropertymanagersdealwitha


variety of people, both workingand retired, in theirworkwithRAs.Atnewly builtHoresam CloseinBath, RA Chair FranzPearson representsaspread of different residentsina variety of properties – flats, townhouses and coachhouses. He explains,“most of us on the RA have jobs and so we try to run things efficiently to take up as little timeas possible. Having different committee representatives for the different types of property here also helpstoensurethatthe RA representsall residents–regardlessoftheir properties or age. TheRAisrun by allofitsmembers, helpingus work for every resident.”


residentswhomeet to discussissues


WhaT If you


Howcould settinguparesidents’association in your block help you, your fellow residents and your propertymanager work better together? Peverel’s MarkHoyland


explains


Beingabletodealwithresidents directly is a greatbenefitand allows us to explain ourwork moreclearly.Peoplemight wonderwhyyou need an RAwhen thereisalready aproperty manageronboard, butwebelieve that our customersshouldbeinvolvedindecisions that affect their homes.”


Technology


has alsomade life easier;residents can communicatebyemail, andsomeevencreatetheirown onlinesites, forumsandFacebook pages.Onlinemeetingsanddiscussions aregrowinginpopularity,meaningthat anyonewho can’tphysically attendcanget involved remotely.Propertymanagerswill conductmuchoftheirworkonline,allowing themdirect contactwithmembersandmaking itmucheasier to passonissuestomaintenance staff. ThePeverel Group recently issuedsomeof


itspropertymanagerswithtabletcomputers usingspeciallydesignedmanagement software,whichallowsthemtolog and respond to issuesand requestsfrom RAson themove. With RAs and propertymanagers embracingtechnology, theprocessof reporting and dealing with issues as well as agreeing onmatterssuchasannualbudgets becomes moreefficient –savingtimefor residents. As Dominiccomments, thismakesour


propertymanager’sworkmoreefficient as well.“At theend of theirmeetingsmanyRA committeeswillcompile areportincluding any recommendations for the property manager. This canbeemailed roundtoall residents, to keep themupdatedand then they canfeed therequestsintoour database on the development to ensure that the right actions are taken.” Having effective reportingsystemsin place,


goingonlinetokeepresidents in theloopand building good working relationships with propertymanagers andthe localcouncil can allserve to save residentstimeinthe long run.


spEcIalIsTdEvElopMENTs? An RA canhaveanevengreater role to play in a retirement development,where residents have thebenefitofcommunallounges and facilities,and will oftenhaveahousemanager


Issue 15 Flat Living WhaTabouT


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