ISSUE 21
FLAT-LIVING.CO.UK
Putting leasehold in the spotlight
editor@flat-living.co.uk
WELCOME TO THE SUMMER EDITION OF FLAT LIVING. Here’s a question for you – how much did you know about leasehold living when you bought your first flat? The answer for many of us it would seem, is ‘not much’! A poll carried out in May by property lawyers Slater and Gordon reveals that more than a third of homebuyers don’t know the difference between a freehold and a leasehold property. If you find this surprising then you may be equally shocked to hear that when the survey asked flat owners about their obligations, a whopping 32% didn’t realise they had to pay ground
rent to a freeholder. That is why in May we hosted our first Leasehold Forum, bringing together residents, property managers, and other experts. We asked a lot of difficult questions and we didn’t find all the answers, but we do have a few suggestions how to help homeowners understand what it means to be a leaseholder and live in a communal environment. Turn to page 19 of this issue to find out more.
On pages 33-37 we look at the damaging issue of water leaks in flats – a problem that costs flat owners and the insurance industry hundreds of thousands of pounds each year. Two companies offer technical solutions and we report on the first of our water damage forums.
Following on from the last issue, we take another look at window repairs – this time in listed buildings – and we follow-up on construction of our penthouse development as the structure is craned into place and the building work completed. We also find out more about the dangers of electric gates – and how to use them safely; we talk to Lentworth and Ingeny about improving the connectivity of our homes; and we hear from new columnist James Biley about the ways in which social media can enhance communication between property managers and their residents.
Finally, here at the magazine we are looking forward to the first ever Flat Living Expo to be held at the Business Design Centre in Islington in July. There will be plenty to see and do and a great range of information and advice will be on hand from our experts. We hope to see you there and look forward to meeting as many of our readers as we can. Turn to pages 4, 5 and 19 for more information.
Lesley Davis Editor e:
editor@flat-living.co.uk Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
@FlatLivingLoves
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