Shaun lives in a self-managed block of 24 flats in Sutton, Surrey, and has been a director of the Residents’ Management Company for almost 30 years and during that time has encountered many of the day to day problems of block management. Inspired by the 1993 Housing and Urban Development Act, he became the driver …
Originally from the North-East and a long line of coal miners, Bob Slee spent a diverse career of over 30 years in Whitehall, which included the establishment of a tri-service government agency responsible for the UK military housing estate, followed by two years as a member of the Agency’s management board. In 2005, following early …
Q: I am one of five directors writing on behalf our management company. Three of the directors are wishing to hold an EGM with reference to our working capabilities with two new directors which has now become untenable. Therefore we would like to hold an EGM to discuss with the shareholders the board’s position. How …
Q: Minutes The Board have been asked by two directors appointed in November to see the minutes going back to 2011. In addition, the AGM’s and any legal advice obtained over the same period. Are there any issues, ethical or confidential, we need to be aware of? FPRA director Richard Williams replies: The new …
Q: When a potential buyer requests information from the seller and require copies of documents, who pays please, the buyer or seller’s solicitor? We were always given to understand the buyer’s solicitor paid for whatever documents they wanted, indeed when we have had enquiries from the buyer it has always been they who pay us. …
Q: What is a reasonable fee to charge for filling in the answers to multiple questions from a solicitor acting for a new purchaser of a flat? We have provided this information free in the past but I was told at your AGM that it is normal to charge! FPRA Chairman Bob Smytherman replies: …
Q: A situation has arisen where a meeting has been held where all leaseholders were present and it was agreed that leaseholders would make decisions on projects and their costs. As far as I can see this is incorrect as only directors can make those decisions as they have financial responsibility for the company. They should …
Q: Please would you advise us in our response to the questions asked by the solicitor for a buyer of one of our the apartments on our estate. We are an enfranchised estate with all leaseholders having a 22nd share in the company (22 apartments in all) and all pay an equal share of the …
Q: Our development seems to have been embroiled in problems from its start. The management company was set up at the outset, with every leasehold apartment and freeholder house owner buying a share. The freeholder/developer’s solicitor was appointed as sole director of the company by the freeholder/developer, and his instructions to the managing agent included, …
Q: One of our Residents is about to re-mortgage their property. The share certificate is in her maiden, or previously married, name. We believe from her solicitor that the mortgage will be in both her and her husband’s name now and they have stated that she will need a new certificate reflecting that the mortgage …