Block Management

Hastings block management service for commercial, domestic and mixed use properties throughout East Sussex. This includes flats and houses, be they purpose built blocks, or converted. From 2 units, up to hundreds, we offer a professional, local service for freeholders, leaseholders and RTM companies.

Leasehold block management is a specialised service. The minefield of statutory obligations continue to place an increasing burden on landlords and freeholders.  Our services are designed to relieve the Client (the landlord, freehold company, resident management company or right-to-manage company) of all aspects of property management, administration and upkeep.

A strong and professional relationship with suppliers and contractors ensures value for money, whether we’re talking about cutting the grass or renewing a roof. Being Hastings Block Management specialists, we have links with many local trades.

Hastings Block Management Services

Our standard management contract includes the following:

• Dealing with collecting Service Charges and preparing Accounts
• Day to day maintenance and minor repairs, management of periodic contracts (gardening, cleaning, fire alarm systems, lift etc)
• Ensuring the appropriate level of insurance to safeguard the block or estate
• Submitting monthly Client management reports
• Regularly inspecting the property
• Monitoring and managing the Landlord’s full compliance with statutory responsibilities
• Attending to routine enquiries from the Client or any leaseholder

A full list of Hastings block management services and fees can be provided on application.

We also offer further services, which include:

• Planned preventative maintenance
• Major works, such as external redecoration
• Health and Safety checks and periodic risk assessments, as required by law
• Provide information to solicitors, leaseholders, selling agents or others in connection with enquiries on sales of flats.

There are some matters where Hastings Block Management look after the landlord’s and the leaseholders’ collective interests, ensuring that:

• Flats rented on Shorthold Tenancy Agreements are monitored, and we know who to contact in the event of any problems
• Structural or refurbishment works to individual flats are authorised and monitored to ensure that they comply with current Building Regulations and the local authority’s planning laws

Block Maintenance Services

We offer the full range of Maintenance Services, arranging different contractors to undertake scheduled work to include:

Block Insurance

If you are involved with Hastings Block Management, you’ll know that building insurance is placed on the basis of the cost of rebuilding (rather than its market value) and we would recommend that this be revalued periodically to ensure that your property is correctly insured. The sum insured is index-linked each year to stay in line with construction market costs.

If your block is run by a Residents’ Management Company (RMC) and some of the leaseholders are directors of that company, it is usually appropriate to have a Directors & Officers insurance policy in place.

If your property has a passenger lift, then your statutory requirement can be met by a separate engineering policy.

Health & Safety

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires that all blocks of flats must have a Risk Assessment of the common parts carried out periodically.

Another piece of legislation which is an absolute requirement for all shared residential properties is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which affects buildings built or converted into self-contained flats prior to 1991. Up-to-date Fire Risk Assessments must be available and now forms part of the due diligence carried out on conveyance before a flat is sold, as mortgage lenders require proof that a current fire risk assessment is in place.

Hastings Property Services will arrange for specialist consultants to carry out any required Risk Assessments which will also, if applicable, cover other areas such as Working at Height, Electrical Equipment Safety, Legionella, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Asbestos and other statutory obligations.

Notices

Part of running a Hastings block management company involves issuing notices to leaseholders. This is a legal requirement and is done under a number of different circumstances. Whether if that is Section 20 (a notice of intention to conduct works) or Section 5a (landlord intends to sell the freehold) these must be served correctly, and with the correct timelines. We can help with these, and many other notices.

Landlords and leaseholders responsibilities

There are various responsibilities that the landlord, and the leaseholders have in relation to block management. Our staff are trained to know what they are, and are very adept at interpreting those that are statutory, from non-statutory and dealing with rumour and assumption.
We assist both landlords and leaseholders to ensure that everyone knows their responsibilities, and they are followed. We can take on alot of the landlords responsibilities, to ensure smooth running of the block.

Ground Rent Buyers

Hastings Property Services really enjoy Hastings block management and are open to purchase freeholds on property. We pride ourselves on being one of the best Hastings Block Management providers, and are always looking to expand our portfolio. This includes commercial, domestic and roadways, those that have an income, and those without. Should you wish to sell a freehold, if it is a simple one, or one with ongoing block management issues, please contact us.

Associations

Hastings Property Services is a trading name of Cleared Wright Ltd. They are members of the Property Redress Scheme.