Roger Southam
- Blogs
Section 20 – Where to now?
First we had the Philips case in the High Court, which created open season for leaseholders and confusion for managers. This week we saw the Supreme Court’s decision on Daejan v Benson case, which was cited as rebalance for owners.
- Blogs
Can’t pay? Apparently, there’s no need to!
The Supreme Court recently ruled against the Hounslow Council and its attempt to evict a tenant for rent arrears. The court found the council fell foul of the European Convention of Human Rights’ Article 8, which is to respect for someone’s home, and to my mind this has left a ...
- Blogs
One rotten apple
One of the beauties of being humans is our differences, but it is also one of our frustrations. If we can ever find a way to manage that achieves what every person wants, then surely the Holy Grail has been found.
- Blogs
From Bricks to Clicks
Since the development of the first Arndale Centre we have lived through the slow, gradual, eroding power of the High Street. My question is, why are we now paranoid about the terminally ill patient? Have we only just woken up to what has been inevitable for decades?
- Blogs
Design for life and management
Any homebuilder or developer would put together a new development design team and automatically include architects and lawyers but why not management specialists?
- Blogs
Long Term Agreements
A lot of developers and homebuilders do not stay up to date with the latest legislation and no one thinks to tell them. Some enter into long term agreements innocently and genuinely think they are doing the best thing to save leaseholders money.
- Blogs
Fire Alarm
At the moment buildings are still being constructed that may need alteration, adjustment or retrofits to comply with changes from the Lakanal House report
- Blogs
Turbulent times ahead and the impact on graduates
The current economic turbulence is the most frightening thing for the property industry at present and there are entirely external factors having surprising consequences on all property professionals.
- Blogs
RICS could be the Residential way forward!
I welcomed, with open arms, the new AssocRICS for Residential Managers and even more so the common sense solution that Members of the Institute of Residential Property Management (MIRPM) can transfer their qualification across.
ProfessionalRight-to-manage companies can unblock bad management image
The residential block management industry has attracted significant publicity since the beginning of the year through the collapse of the Consensus Group and the Serious Fraud Office’s investigations into the Tchenguiz empire.
ProfessionalKeep an eye on the valuation tribunal to avoid an earful
Management speak translated by Roger Southam
- Blogs
Unchartered Economic Waters
I had been sure December would see a rise in interest rates at the latest because of inflationary pressures in the economy but the fragility of the markets and personal finances put this off. However, with CPI running at 3.7% and RPI around 5% this cannot be ignored for ...
- Blogs
Misinformation through the Grapevine doubles our workload
We had a water pump room flooded, which wiped out the water supply for 270 flats. Water was back within 24 hours and permanently fixed in four days. What was interesting, though, was the porters' reaction and how they were (and still are) giving misinformation to leaseholders and ...
- Blogs
Happy 2011 … now bring on 2012!
As we leap into 2011 we are already contending with the VAT increase and what appears to be ever increasing fuel prices. This could make it a fairly tricky and interesting year. In Chainbow’s experience, most forget the Government imposed changes when looking through a budget.
- Blogs
Lying Lawyers
It never ceases to amaze me that a lie ends up being so contorted that it trips them and the inconsistency grows
- Blogs
The Blizzard of Blame Culture
I will never cease to be amazed how the blamers of society will criticise and carp, have fool-proof solutions but never put themselves forward to positions where they could actually influence or control.
- Blogs
Perception vs Reality
One of the perennials a property manager faces is the wild exaggeration and extrapolation.
- Blogs
The right regulation could decrease LVT demand
The Government should realise that they could bring in regulation to try and make everyone’s life easier and avoid huge costs at LVT
- Blogs
Managing personalities to get a decision
In a block of flats, which after all is effectively a community, there is the interplay between ideals, standards, views, opinions and attitudes.
- Blogs
Houses vs Flats
For those who think flats are bad and houses good, it is not straight forward. It is all about public spirit!
