
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
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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 GLA
has published its report into London service charges
See their
press
release 3.3.12 and the report
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 Majestys 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 |
| Contact
Us General inquries Email - info@fpra.org.uk
Phone - 0871 200 3324
Post - The Federation
of Private Residents' Associations, PO Box 10271, Epping, CM16 9DB
Website
stephen@fpra.org.uk
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304
Questions were answered by the FPRA panel of experts in the 12 months to
31 March 2012 Posted 9/05/12
 Read
FPRA Chairman Bob Smytherman's column in the Spring 2012 edition of Flat Living
magazine. See page 28
Does
your flat need a makeover? Are you having a DIY nightmare?
If so, a new Channel 5 television series would like to hear from you. More
details here. |
Live
in a flat with a balcony? If
so, an MA student researching balcony usage would love to hear from you. More
details here. |

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