The FPRA has a Discussion Group on Linked In. So have your say. Linked In is easy to join . Once signed up, search for 'The Federation of Private Residents Associations' group and get commenting.

Welcome to the Federation of Private Residents' Associations
We are a not-for-profit advice, support and lobbying organisation for private residential leaseholders, tenants' and residents' associations, and residential management companies.
We are the national voice of residents' associations and are frequently consulted by government.
Our advisory services are free to members, who pay an annual subscription fee.

The FPRA is an independent organsition. It does not endorse or recommend any products, service providers or companies.

The FPRA offers a free block website to its members in association with News on the Block.

The FPRA encourages leaseholders to set up residents' associations and publishes a guide on how to do it.

The FPRA offers its members specialist legal, insurance, management, and building guidance.

The FPRA represents and understands the interests of both tenants' associations and resident management companies.

The FPRA keeps its members informed about current issues and events affecting leaseholders.

The FPRA publishes a quarterly 12 page newsletter for its members (a sample copy of the Newsletter can be purchased for £3.50 inc. p&p)

The FPRA publishes information guides and booklets, which are available to non-members.

The FPRA is a vital information resource for leaseholders, with articles, news, newsletters and article index, forms to download, and a discussion forum.

So if you ... are a leaseholder in a block of flats, have problems with your freeholder, need to form a residents' association, part-own the freehold and/ or manage your own block.


FPRA chairman introduces the FPRA to readers of FLAT LIVING magazine, and explains how residents can work together to improve their blocks. See page 28 of Flat Lliving

Read FPRA Chairman Bob Smytherman's comments on the Coalition government's stance on leasehold and Commonhold in Flat Living Magazine. Go to page 18
Posted 25/08/10

Read what Property People says about the FPRA

United You Stand (by forming a Tenants' Association) say LEASE
The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) has issued a press release high-lighting the strategic benefits to leaseholders of forming a Recognised Tenants' Association when dealing with freeholders. LEASE says the benefits include a single point of contact with the freeholder and legal advantages.

LEASE points to the FPRA's handbook on setting up Tenants' Associations as perhaps the most detailed account of how to do it.

Click here for LEASE's press release.
Posted 26/05/10

Charter for the Selfish Parker and Misery for Flat Owners gets Royal Assent
On the 1st May 2012, the Protection of Freedoms Bill received Royal Assent. When the Bill comes into force, probably in October this year, the clamping of cars on private land in England and Wales will be illegal. It does not apply to public land.

Leaseholders in areas prone to illegal parking, such as near stations and in town centres, will now have to start preparing themselves for alternative forms of parking controls, with all the expense and difficulties that will involve.

The FPRA and many other organisations campaigned against the measure but their voices were not heard. The Coalition
was hellbent on introducing what it misguidedly thinks is a populist measure and has misunderstood the implications of the legislation. As FPRA Chairman Bob Smytherman writes

"The Coalition Government's understanding of car clamping is depressingly naive as they seem to just think that it's a black and white issue of drivers as victims, when in fact victims are also residents whose lives are plagued by illegally parked cars.

Ministers naively thinks 'landowners' can just erect barriers, having no understanding that 'landowners' also includes ordinary people - leaseholders - in blocks of
flats who could be forced to pay for the installation and management of barriers, if the lease allows it. And most likely the lease will not allow it, in which case there is little that those residents can do to effectively keep out unwanted cars.

This new law will bring misery to a lot of people and certainly not the 'Freedom' the Government claim."

For more information read Bob's Press Release
Posted 2/05/12

Leasehold issues to be raised again in the Lords
Leaseholders' friend Baroness Gardner is again going to take issue with the government over the problems faced by leaseholders. She is instigating a short debate in the Lords on 23 April. She will ask Her Majesty's Government:

'What proposals they have with regard to residential service charges and other matters affecting leasehold blocks of flats'.

With other Lords set to support Baroness Gardner, it would seem the Lords is the only part of the political establishment interested in leasehold issues.

The Baroness has asked the FPRA for a briefing paper about its concerns.

Posted 9/04/12

Listen to the debate

Read FPRA's briefing to Baroness Gardner, written by FPRA Consultant Shula Rich
Posted 17/04/12, updated 18/04/12

Baroness questions government on regulation of managing agents

In the House of Lords on 17 January 2012 Baroness Gardner of Parkes questioned the government on its policy towards regulating managing agents, and referred to the FPRA. She asked whether Her Majesty’s Government would introduce regulations or a code of practice to set standards for managing agents for leasehold blocks of flats.

The FPRA can take some credit in raising leasehold awareness in the Lords which led to this question.

Video link to the debate

Baroness Gardner writes in PoliticHome

For more details see the FPRA's Press Release

Later in the week, on the 19 January, leasehold was again the subject of a debate in the Lords, again with the FPRA being cited.

FPRA campaigning leaflet

New government e-petitiion calls for regulation of the leasehold sector

Ends 8/8/2012