This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
On the record


LEAK PREVENTION IS THE LUXURY YOU CAN AFFORD SAY THE EXPERTS


Flat Living is supporting an initiative launched by insurance brokers CHUResidentsline and Midway Insurance in May, to draw attention to the issues surrounding water damage in blocks of flats. Water damage is the number one source of insurance claims for flat owners. Leaks can cause problems at any time of year and at any stage in the life of a building and the problem is getting worse.


Property managers, insurance brokers and companies specialising in leak prevention products met in London to discuss the problems for flat owners and their property managers caused by water damage.


Waterguard, Aquilar and Leaksafe are three companies specialising in leak prevention, invited to give presentations on the day. Their products are inexpensive and have the potential to save flat owners hundreds of pounds each year in insurance premiums and, if correctly specified and installed, can reduce the number of water damage claims made against home insurance policies. Unfortunately, these systems are not specified as standard in new build flats – except at the luxury end of the market – and homeowners are often unaware that they could protect their homes with a simple system that only costs a few hundred pounds.


Without pressure from the insurance sector or a change in the Building Regulations, it was


agreed that developers are unlikely to invest in leak prevention; nor will individual blocks necessarily see the benefit in retrofitting these products. Flat Living is now supporting a campaign to raise awareness and promote


CHECK OUT YOUR NEW HOME BEFORE YOU BUY IT


In a national survey conducted by 192.com over a third of people said they had wished they had been more informed about their property and the local area before moving to their current address. In addition the survey also revealed that a huge number of home owners (one in three) had a bad experience when buying a property.


Property Report is a new online tool from 192.com now enables homebuyers to search details of any home in England and Wales when looking for a new home. Prospective buyers and renters will see local valuation and rental estimates to help ensure that they are not paying over the odds. They can also see historic details about the property; the last time it was sold; the last sale price; how the current price relates to other properties in the area; and how it compares nationally.


Property Report also covers another important 20


aspect of home buying: location, location, location. Users can find out how safe the local area is, using recent and historical crime data and contains details on local schools, helping parents make informed decisions. You can download a report by visiting: www.192.com/places/property-reports/ or visit www.propertyreport.co.uk For more on getting a valuation before you buy, see page 29 of this issue.


ALEP’s Spring Conference 2015 took place on Tuesday 24 March at The Royal Institution in Mayfair. A record 265 delegates attended the event, which was hosted by ALEP’s Honorary President, Damian Greenish of Pemberton Greenish (right) and sponsored once again by Kerry London Insurance. Senior representatives from LEASE, ARMA, NAEA, ARLA and IRPM also attended the conference, further strengthening ALEP’s ties in the sector and evidence of its commitment to


leak prevention among the major insurance companies in order to put pressure on developers and building owners to fit these products as standard. For more on water damage, turn to pages 33-37 of this issue.


collaboration and partnership. ALEP’s Autumn Conference will take place on Tuesday 20 October at the Royal College of Physicians, Regent’s Park.


Senior figures attend ALEP Spring Conference


Issue 21


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72