Residential Block and Estate Management in East Sussex
An independent company coupling in-depth knowledge and experience with exceptional levels of service.
Expert knowledge and dedicated service
We are an independent company offering clients exceptional levels of service. Leasehold management is highly complex, requiring an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a wide range of statutes and regulations. With our knowledge and expertise we work with the Landlords and directors of RTMs and RMCo's, managing the property's service and repair needs, ensuring statutory and lease obligations are met and ensuring the financial management of the block or estate is accurate, appropriate for the building's needs and kept as reasonable as is feasible:-
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Reactive repairs : how these are managed to keep the building running smoothly and getting best value for money
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Service charge budgeting : we make sure the forthcoming year's service charge costs are not simply increased by a percentage but in fact are properly forecasted to the best available information
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Arrears and service charge cashflow management : if these are not properly managed, the resulting cashflow can affect the maintenance of the building
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Major works : understanding the long term capital expenditure needs of the building, ideally with a Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedule
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Information : this can be one of the biggest sources of dissatisfaction for leaseholders, one that is rarely a problem for us because we also have an online portal which provides a host of service charge and ground rent information, documents relating to the building. The client is supplied with monthly management information, such as expenditure versus budget reports and arrears reports
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Professional management advice : we provide ongoing advice to the client about their responsibilities and where these may change following new legislation. For RMCo and RTMs it is important to ensure the Directors are able to distinguish the needs and duties of the company, in relation to the Companies Acts and the company's Memorandum & Articles of Association, as separate from the private interests of the leaseholders. Using our management services passes some of the Landlord's or RMCo's responsibility for compliance with leases, legislation and the statutory codes of practice, but the Landlord or Directors are responsible for setting policy and monitoring the managing agent work. There will also be certain areas of work that will always require the client's authority before going ahead with it.
Our Service Levels
under a fixed annual management fee
Silver
Financial management services only - where the Landlord, RMCo or RTM prefer to retain their maintenance responsibilities
Gold
The most popular service level for financial, management and statutory services covering the normal Landlord responsibilities
Platinum
An enhanced agreement with the Gold SLA plus additional services - often selected by prestige and listed buildings
Company Secretary
Optional Service:- covers the RMCo's PSC Register, Company Register, statutory filings and serving AGM and EGM Notices
Online Portal
This facility is an intrinsic part of our drive to give full transparency to all our work, benefiting both our clients, the Landlords and RMCo directors, but also leaseholders. There are many benefits to this service including:-
- Announcements Board - keeping leaseholders informed of current issues in their building
- Secure login to personal service charge and ground rent records
- Access to all documentation relevant to the block, including insurance policy, current budget, annual accounts, S20 documents and much more
- Landlords and RMCo Directors receive monthly management reports on income vs budgeted expenditure and arrears
- 24/7 availability
Residential Management Services
Lease and Legislation
We act and advise Landlords and directors of RTMs and RMCos on their legal obligations, ensuring their exposure to legal and financial risks are minimised. We understand how decisions made can be influenced and shaped by the lease, statutes, and (for directors) the Companies Act 2006.
Breaches of lease can be handled as swiftly and sensitively as possible, whilst ensuring the interests of the Landlord are upheld.
Residential Management Services
Financial Management
Service charge management is arguably the most important and contentious element of residential management. We recognise clear communication and transparency is essential. An organised approach is essential to charging and collecting service charges, evaluating the correct level of reserve funds and to align these with planned timetables for major works and all other aspects of financial adminstration.
Our online portal allows all parties to view their service charges and payments at any time. As RICS members we operate a Client Money Protection Scheme, reassuring leaseholders their money is fully protected. In addition all monies are held in client trust bank accounts.
We operate a robust arrears management procedure minimising arrears and ensuring maintenance of the building is not unduly undermined by cashflow shortfalls.
Residential Management Services
Insurance
We offer a complete insurance service. We obtain competitive premiums to keep these as low as possible and appropriate for the building and leases terms. We monitor for breaches to make sure the insurance policy is not invalidated by the actions of an individual leaseholder or resident. We recognise it is also essential to protect the building from becoming under-insured, so periodic Reinstatement Cost Assessments are undertaken to protect the interests of the leaseholders and of the client.
Residential Management Services
Maintenance and Repair
Included under the management agreement is day to day reactive maintenance and repairs. As soon as the client or leaseholders log an issue or fault we attend to these immediately, utilising contractors from our Approved Contractor Register.
We recognise major works are capital intensive, forming part of long term maintenance plans. Given the nature of these works the planning needs the involvement and agreement of clients, with all parties adequately consulted at appropriate times, we manage this process during the lifecycle.
Residential Management Services
Asset Management
We ensure the property is compliant with the statutory health and safety requirements. Working with the client we proactively put in place a Preventative Maintenance Plan and oversee the resulting capital expenditure programme to maintain the value of the property. The assessments of what works must be carried out, on either a cyclical or periodic basis, are independent of individual leaseholders' personal preferences and the decisions are based upon our duty to all the stakeholders in the property to keep the building in good repair.
Residential Management Services
Caretaker, Porter and Concierge
Our management team is highly experienced in employment of on site support staff, where leases allow or call for such a provision. We take on the responsibilities of direct employment of staff, mitigating the risks involved for the Landlord, or directors of RTMs or RMCos.
Residential Management Services
Company Secretary Services
For Resident Management Companies and Right to Manage, we have an optional service providing Company Secretary services, including Companies House statutory filings, maintaining the statutory PSC Register, maintaining the Company Register and serving the required Notices when AGMs and EGMs are to be held.
Get in touch
Speak to our property management team
Eastbourne: 01323 644288
Hastings: 01424 404004
Hove: 01273 634000