2015 regionals page 8 - irpm · 2016-11-18 · 2015 regionals page 8 hear from the youngest mirpm...

the

Newsletter of the Institute of Residential Property Management Issue 22 December 2015

2015 Regionals page 8

Hear from the youngest MIRPM achievers

page 4

An Accidental Property Manager Page 2

02 the rpm newsletter December 2015 www.irpm.org.uk

Contents December 2015MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS 2EXAM RESULTS 22016 DIARY DATES 2IRPM AGM 2015 2CHAIRMAN DAVID CLARK 3AN ACCIDENTAL PROPERTY MANAGER 3THE YOUNGEST IRPM MEMBERS 4IRPM MEMBERS SEMINAR 2015 5JEFF PLATTS VIEW 6REGIONAL SEMINARS 2015 8NOELLA MORTON 10WHO DOES THE WORK 11WORKING GROUPS 11IRPM DIRECTORS 12REPORT FROM THE WEB/IT 13WIN AN IPAD 14IRPM OFFICE BITES 14IRPM OFFICE STAFF 14CASE UPDATES 15ST GILES INSURANCE AND FINANCE SERVICES LTD 15

MEMBERSHIP FIGURESAffiliates: 959Associates: 1196Members: 1031Fellows: 80Total: 3266

EXAM RESULTS Member ExamApril 2015: London & BirminghamPassed: 57Failed: 13

Associate ExamSeptember 2015: London & BirminghamPassed: 96Failed: 13

DIARY DATESAssociate Exam Workshop - London: 20thJanuary2016Associate Exam in London and Manchester: 24thFebruary2016Member Exam Workshop - London: 23rdMarch2016Associate Exam – Glasgow: 20thApril2016Member Exam in London, Birmingham & Glasgow: 20thApril2016

IRPM Seminar 2016: 18thMay2016Associate Exam Workshop - London TBC: August2016Associate Exam - London & Birmingham: 21stSeptember2016AGM & Fellows Day:28thSeptember2016Member Exam Workshop - London TBC: September2016Associate Exam – Glasgow: 26thOctober2016Member Exam - London, Manchester & Glasgow: 26thOctober2016

EDIT YOUR OWN PROFILE - IS YOUR PROFILE ACCURATE?Isthedataweholdforyoucorrect?Weusethisdatafromthemembershipdatabaseforallsortsofadministrationandcommunicationswithyou.WeurgeyoutoLOGINtoyouronlineprofileandupdateanyemptyoroutdatedfields:http://bit.ly/1QpoW07

Ifyouhaveanyproblemsloggingincalloremailusattheofficeandwewill behappytohelp. [email protected]

THINKING OF TAKING THE IRPM MEMBER EXAM IN 2016?WhynotprepareforthisexamwithJeffPlatt?Gothroughthelearningmaterials,askyourquestionsinpersonandbuildyourconfidence. Workshop23rdMarch2016.Applyforafrontseatontheworkshopnow:http://bit.ly/1Road5F

CODE OF CONDUCT & ETHICSTheInstitutehasupdateditsCodeofConductandEthicsthatallmembersshouldreadtoensurethattheyareoperatingwithintheInstitute’scode:http://bit.ly/1NwRSgE

TheAnnualGeneralMeetingoftheInstitutewasheldon30thSeptember2015atTheRoyalInstitutioninLondon.TheChairmanwelcomedtheappointmentofnewDirectors:MattAshley(ViceChairofQualificationWG),PeterDevere-Catt(ChairmanoftheITandWebsiteWG)andSamanthaMassey(ViceChairofMembershipWG),andthankedthosedirectorsretiring,AndrewCroftandKarenWilsonfortheirhardworkand

contributiontotheInstituteovertheyearsoftheirservice.InaspecialresolutionitwasproposedtoappointtheIRPMChiefExecutive’sasDirectorstotheBoardasanappropriatemeasuretofullyrecognisethesharedresponsibilitiesofallIRPMOfficers.ThisamendmenttotheArticlesofAssociation,alongwiththeDirectors’FinancialStatementandChairman’sReportwereapprovedbythemembers.Allpapersincluding

AGMminutesareavailablehere: http://bit.ly/226VfVw

IRPM AGM September 2015

www.irpm.org.uk December 2015 the rpm newsletter 03

DavidClark – IRPM Chairman 2014-16During November I attended a number of conferences including a PRS conference at which members of the National Apartments Association (NAA) from the USA told us about the American Multi-Family rental sector. Byfarthemostinterestingaspect

ofwhatIheardwastheemployeeandrecruitmenttransformationthathastakenplaceinthelasttenyears.Managers’nolongerpoachstafforteamsfromeachotherbutinsteadconcentrateondevelopingnewtalent.AbouttenyearsagotheNAAdecidedthatitwould

supportitslargermemberstostartaprogrammeofeducationthatwouldattractnewpeoplefromcollegesanduniversitiesandputthemthroughathorough6monthstrainingforacareerinmulti-familyapartmentmanagement.Inreturnpoachingandrecirculationofexistingstaffandteamswouldhavetostopandtrustwouldhavetoberebuilt.Tenyearslaterthishasbeenahugesuccess,

bringingnewbloodintotheindustryandopeningthedoorwelcomingnewlevelsofsuccessandprofitabilityforapartmentmanagers.Importantlymanyofthekeyplayersworkinpartnershipandarehappytobenchmarktheirservicelevels.Allofthisworksbecausethepossibilitiesofacareer

inapartmentmanagementaremarketedinagenuinelyexcitingwaytoschool,collegeanduniversityleavers.Principally,themarketingaimstoattracttheundecided-thosewhoareunsurewhattheywanttodo.Afterall,theysay,nodayiseverthesameinapartmentmanagementisit?Youcancomeandtryaccountancy,maintenance,

customercare,hospitality,landscaping,marketing,communications,informationtechnology,architectureandmanyotherthings.Itseemstoworkandmanyendupstayingforlongandfulfillingcareers.Keytothesuccessofthisprogramhasbeenavery

cleareducationaltimelineattachedtoarealandvaluablequalificationthatcanbeachievedinarelativelyshorttimebutcontinuesthroughoutacareerandthewayinwhichthesectorhasbeenmarketedandglamorisedtoattractanewgeneration.AtIRPMwearenowinthefinalpartofcreatingareal

PRSroutetoqualificationthatwillstandalongsideourleaseholdqualificationsandthatwillfurtherbroadentheskillsetofourmembers.Weintendtowidenourtrainingcoursesandtorolloutanonlineresourcehubtomembersinthenextsixmonths.Additionallywehavebeenworkingwithagroupofcompanies/professionalbodiestodevelopTrailblazerApprenticeshipStandardsinResidentialHousingandPropertyManagementatLevels2,3and4.ThesehavenowbeensignedoffbytheDepartmentofBusinessInnovationandSkillsandarelistedontheGovernment’sTrailblazerwebsite http://bit.ly/1T1jUo7Wewillcontinuetodoourbittoattractexciting

newpeopleintotheindustryandcontinuetomarkettheopportunitythatacareerinthevariedworldofprofessionalresidentialmanagementcanbring.Itonlyremainsforemployerstosupportthe

recruitmentandtrainingofschoolandfurthereducationleaversandthosefromdifferentsectors,insteadofrepeatedlyplunderingthesamepoolofpractitioners.

Howdidyougetinto Property Management?TheresponseIgetmoreoftenthannotis“byaccident”.Iamsure

thatanumberofyoureadingthiswillbethesame.Perhapsyoustartedoutwithacompletelydifferentobjectivebuthavinggotatasteofthepropertymanagementworldyoudecidedtostay.IhavetosaythatIcannotblameyou.Iamoneofthemanyaccidental

PropertyManagers.Aftermoving

toBournemouthfromScotlandIstartedthedreadedjobsearch andfoundatemporaryroleasPAtotheDirectorofaPropertyManagementfirm.Theinitialcontractwasfor6monthsbutIwassoonbittenbythebugand9yearslater,havingpassedmyIRPMexams,IamstillenjoyingPropertyManagementandworkingtowardsmembershipoftheRICS.IamactivelyinvolvedintheIRPMandamamemberoftheWeb/ITandMarketingWorkingGroup.PropertyManagementisa

challengingandvariedsectorinwhichtoworkandIstronglybelievethatweneedtobeactivelyencouragingnewtalentintothesectoratschoolleaveranduniversitylevel.Ihavewrittenanarticle,whichIhopecouldbeusedtohelpencouragethisnewtalent,andthisisavailableontheIRPMwebsite http://bit.ly/1I8BZQR Anyinputandideasfromothermemberswhohavesimilarviewsandideaswhichcouldbeusedanddevelopedwouldbeverywelcome.

Encouraging new talent to the property management sector - November 2015 – Emily Ørner FIRPM AssocRICS


In2013,Estee Davies MIRPM becametheyoungestpersonevertopasstheMemberExamattheageof21.Esteeisapropertymanager

atHLMinShrewsbury,partofCountrywideEstateManagement,responsibleformanagingseverallargeapartmentblocks.ShejoinedHLMasanadministrativeassistantin2010straightfromcollege,aged18,andwaspromotedtopropertymanagerjust12monthslater.Atheremployer’ssuggestion,shejoinedtheIRPM,passingherpartonein2012andparttwoinOctober2013.WhatEsteereallyenjoysabout

herworkisthatnotwodaysareeverthesame.“Ilikeexperiencing

somanydifferentthingsandalwayslearningsomethingnew.Forexample,Iwaspartofaprojectteamthatmanagedthereconstructionofabigapartmentblockdestroyedbyfire.ThisprocesstooktwoyearsandIgottoseeatfirsthandhowflatsarebuilt.Iexpectthatinsideknowledgewillbeveryvaluableinthefuture.”Shesays“TheIRPMhasbeen

reallyhelpfulinmycareer.IRPMmembershipandprofessionaldevelopmentprogrammeisimportanttomeandtomyemployer.NotonlydoesithelpmedomyeverydayjobbutalsothemoreknowledgeIhave,themoreconfidentIamandthemoreIwillbeabletodoagreatjobforourclientsandresidents.”Continuingprofessional

development(CPD)isarequirementofIRPMmembershipforallAffiliates,Associates,MembersandFellows.EsteesaysCPDisreallyimportant.“Thingschangequicklyinthissector.Weneedtokeepupwithlegislationandnewcaselawsowecanbeonestepahead.Recently,I’vebeenreadingaboutnewsmokedetectorlawstofindouthowitaffectsusandifweneedtodoanything.”Esteereckonsshespendsabout

halfadayamonthonherCPDactivities,which,aswellaslearningonthejob,includereadingregularupdatesfromHLMandthetechnicalupdatesfromIRPM.Heremployeralsoprovidesonlinetraining,whichmeansshecanundertaketraininganytime,anywhere.AttendingFTT(FirstTierTribunal)andcourthearingsalsoformpartofEstee’sCPDprogramme.

TheIRPMrequiresmemberstodoaminimumof15hoursayear.Esteesays“frankly,themoreyoudothebetter.IprobablyspendaroundhalfadayamonthonCPD.Itisnothardtofindthetime.Thetrickistobeorganisedandputitinyourdiary.Afterall,ifyoucan’torganiseyourdiaryefficiently,youwon’treallybeabletodoagoodjobasapropertymanager.”

Oursecondyoungestmemberis Matthew Mackintosh MIRPM, AssocRICS.MattisapropertymanageratAMSurveyingPropertyServices,basednearMaidstonein

Propertymanagementcanbeanexcellentcareerchoiceforyoungpeoplewhoarereadytostarttheirprofessionallifewithoutgoingtouniversity.WetalkedtotwosuccessfulpropertymanagerswhosharethedistinctionofbeingtheyoungesttoachievefullIRPMmembership.

IRPMMembership Aspringboardforyoungtalent


KentwhopassedtheMember Examat22.Matt,now23,joinedthefamily

businessstraightfromschoolattheageof15,andtodayhasresponsibilityforoverseeingitsproperty management and related surveyingactivities.Overthepastsevenyears,hehassignificantlyexpandedthepropertymanagementsideofthecompanyanditnowaccountsforapproximately70%ofthecompany’sturnover,with1000mainlyresidentialpropertiesacrossLondonandsoutheast.“WhenIcameacrosstheIRPM

IwasexcitedtorealisethatasIalreadyhadmorethanthreeyearsexperience in property management Iwouldqualifyfordirectentry.ItooktheMemberExamandpassedinOctober2014becomingMIRPM-havingthoselettersafteryournameisanimportantrecognitionofyourprofessionalism.What’smore,membershipoftheIRPMmeantIqualifiedforAssociatemembershipoftheRoyalInstitutionofCharteredSurveyors(AssocRICS).Asour

businessalsoinvolvessurveying,aqualificationwiththeRICSwasawelcomeadditionandIwaspleasedto be eligible for direct entry to AssocRICSthankstohavingtheMIRPMqualification”.AsafullMemberoftheIRPM

andAssociatememberoftheRICS,MattmustdemonstratehiscommitmenttoCPDforbothorganisations.“Ofcourse,Iread theregularreleasesandgotoseminarsandeventsbutwe’verecentlyappointedajuniorpropertymanagerwhomIammentoringandthatcountstowardsmyCDP.“Headds:“Itissoimportantfor

apropertymanagertostayontopofchangestolegislationandregulation,aboveallwhenitcomestoH&Swhereanynegligencecouldleaveamanagingagentliable.Forexample,IwasreadingaboutnewH&SrequirementsforautomatedgateswhenIrealisedthatthegatesononeofourdevelopmentsarenon-compliant.Iimmediatelycalledintheriskassessorandsoughtadvice.”

Inadditiontohisyouth,MattcanclaimanotherIRPMfirst:heisdyslexic,andsathisexamusingalaptop.ThisisthefirsttimethatanyonehasbeenabletosittheIRPMMemberExaminthisway,andopensthewayforothercandidatesinasimilarsituation.Mattexplains:“AssoonasI

knewIwantedtosittheMemberExam,IrealisedthatImighthaveproblemsasitmustbehandwritten.Iwriteslowlybyhand,andIdon’tspellverywell.Itdoesn’tmatteratworkbecauseItouchtypeandusethespellchecker,butIcouldnotseehowIcoulddomyselfjusticeintheexamifIhadtowritebyhand.SoI

askedifIcouldusealaptop.”TheIRPMhadtogetpermission

fromtheCharteredInstituteofHousing,whichrequiredproofofMatt’sdyslexia.Neverhavingbeendiagnosedatschool,hearrangedforanindependentassessmentandwasabletoprovideevidencethathewasindeeddyslexic.TheIRPMarrangedforMatttosittheexamatitsoffice.“Itmadeallthedifference.Infact,IdonotbelieveIwouldhavepassedwithoutbeingabletouseawordprocessorviaacomputer.”TheIRPMiscurrentlyexploring

optionstoenableallfutureexamcandidatestouseacomputertosittheAssociateandMemberExams.

Specialexamarrangementsforpeoplewithdyslexia

CPDHOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE? IRPMmembersneedtodoaminimumof15hoursannually(manydomuchmore),ideallysplitbetweentenhoursoftechnicallearningandfivehoursofsoftskills.Spreadover12months, itiseasilyachievable.

HOW DO YOU KNOW I’VE DONE IT?Therearespotchecksthroughouttheyear,soit’simportanttoregularlyupdateyourCPD recordonline.

WHAT CAN I DO? Therearealotofactivitiesthatcount-morethanyoumightthink-manyofwhichyou’llprobablybedoingaspartofyourjob.Thelistincludes:

• Technicalcourses/seminars/ workshops• Onlinetraining/webinars Businessskillstraining (communications,IT, socialmedia)• AttendanceatIRPM/ARMAand otherindustryevents• Formalcoachingormentoring ofotherpeople• Studytowardsprofessional qualifications• AttendingFFTandcourt hearings• Readingtextbooks,newsletters, TechnicalUpdates• Projectssuchasrunningan in-housetrainingevent• Somevoluntarywork,suchas beingaschoolgovernoror directorofanRMC

Ifyou’renotsureifsomethingqualifies,thengiveusaquickcalltotalkitthrough.


IRPMMembersSeminarMay2015TheRoyalInstitutionofGreatBritain,LondonThe12thAnnualIRPMSeminar,heldintheheartofMayfair,wasagreatsuccess,withover400IRPMmembersandtheirguestsbookedtoattend.ModeratedbyTVandradionewscaster,Katie Derham, theSeminardeliveredawiderangeoftalksonresidentialpropertymanagementbykeyprofessionalsinthesector.IRPMChairmanDavid Clark

extended a warm welcome to allattendeesonbehalfoftheInstitute.DavidsummarisedIRPM’sinvolvementandprogressionintheresidentialpropertysector,discussedtheexaminationstructureandintroducedthenewResourceHubtomembers.TheaimoftheHub(previouslytheIRPMAcademy)istobuildanon-linelibraryofessentialresourcesforPropertyManagers,helpingmembersintheirContinuedProfessionalDevelopment.KatieDerhamintroducedourfirst

speaker, Steve Michaux, Director of LeaseholdServicesatA2Dominion,wellknownintheindustryforhisworkintheHousingAssociationsector.Inhispresentation‘Different income, same service - the challenge of mixed tenure management’, Stevediscusseddifferenttypesofsocialtenantsandhowtodealwiththeirneeds,expectationsandissues.OurnextpresenterwasSir Michael

Lyons, non-executivechairmanoftheEnglishCitiesFundandParticiple

Ltd.Inhistalk,‘Do we really need so many new homes and if so how do we get them?’ SirMichaeldiscussedthecurrentpoliticalsituationsincetheelectionresults.

Nicholas Blenkarn, Director of theSevernPartnership,CharteredLandSurveyorsintroducedustotheamazingtechnologyofinteractivebespoke3DandBIMvisualisation,3Dmodels,laserscanningandmodellingnewbuildingsinfrastructurewith‘From Scan to BIM to interactive 3D Visualisation for retrofit & refurbishment’. Nicholasshowedustheendlesspossibilitiesofthetechnologythatwillbethefutureof theindustry.

Graeme Southam, Managing DirectoratHighRoadTrainingLtdspokeonthecrucialareaof‘Customerservice’,comparingtheimpactofgoodandbadserviceprovidedindifferentscenarios.Thelastpresentationwasgivenby

Justin Bates,BarristerfromArdenChambers.HisareasofpracticeareHousing,Landlord&Tenant,LVT/FTT,localgovernmentandpubliclaw.JustindiscussedtwoRightToManagecasesandtwoServiceChargesissues,closingwithwhatwecanexpectfromtheindustryin2016.Videosofallthepresentationsare

availabletoviewinthemembers’areaoftheIRPMwebsite.PleasenotethatwatchingthevideosoftheIRPMAnnualSeminar2015countstowards

yourCPD.Youcanaddupto3hourstoyourCPDrecord.

EveryyeartheIRPM Awards honourtheachievementsofmemberstakingtheAssociateandMemberexams.TheBritishPropertyFederation

AwardforthehighestmarkintheMemberExam2014waspresented to Samantha Simpson by Ian Fletcher,DirectorofPolicyatBritishPropertyFederation.TheBretherton’sAwardforthe

mostoutstandinglegalpaperintheMemberExam2014waspresentedto Alex Heald byMarkNorthofBrethertons.TheAnnGarlandAwardforthe

mostoutstandingpaperintheAssociateExam2014waspresentedto Emma Dancer.TheNationalLeaseholdGroup

AwardforthemostoutstandingpaperintheMemberExambyacandidateworkingintheaffordablehomeownershipsectorin2014presentedearlierintheyearto Claire Bean, wasalsoacknowledgedduring theceremony.Theeventendedwithadrinks

receptionwhichwasafittingendtowhatmanyMembersdescribed,asthebestSeminaryet.The IRPM Seminar 2016 will be

heldintheRoyalInstituteofBritishArchitectson Wednesday 18th May 2016. Pleasebookthisdateinyourdiaryandjoinus.

REMEMBER youcanviewvideosofpresentationsintheMembers

Areaofthewebsitehere: http://bit.ly/1QrW5Z1

Our members will face a mixture of challenges and opportunities during 2016 and beyond. The theme at our recent Fellows’ Day was ‘are we training members to manage yesterday’s model?’ You

will pleased to learn that the general conclusion of our Fellows was that the IRPM continues to be on the right track and is well prepared for developments in the housing sector, with enhanced service offerings to both current and future members.Thegovernment’sideologyisalreadyclearwith

homeownershipbeingseenasthepredominanttenure. TheHousingandPlanningBillproposesthat:• localauthoritieswillbeforcedtosellhighervalue houses,• housingassociationtenantsaretobegiventheright tobuy,• oneforonereplacementislikelytobeaffordable homeownershipratherthansocialrentedhousing,• S106requirementsareshiftingfromsocialhousingto developerledaffordablehousing.• HousingAssociationshavealsobeenhitbyamassive changetotheirbusinessplanswithamandatory1% p.a.reductioninrentlevelsforthenext4years.ThelatestmutteringcomingoutofWestminsteristoreducethepressureontheHousingBenefitbillbygiftingsocialtenantsasharedownershipshareintheirproperty,equivalenttotherighttobuydiscountproportion;thusreducingthelevelofrentpayableandhousingbenefitrequired.Nomutteringsonhowthelandlordisgoingtosatisfylendingcovenantsviaareducedassetbaseandreducedincome.Nomutteringsonhowthenewlygiftedhomeownerscurrentlyinreceiptofhousingbenefitwillmeettheirnewlyacquiredrepairingandservicechargeobligations.It’llneverhappen...willit?TheHousingMinisterhasmadeitclearthatheexpects

housingassociationstomakesignificantdevelopmentcontributionstowardscombatingtheshortageofnewhomes.Facingthechallengesofamandatoryreductionintheirincome,minimallevelsofgovernmentgrantandaforcedreductionintheirassetbasefromwhichtoguaranteedevelopmentborrowings,agreaterproportionofthesenewhomeswillbeaffordablehomeownershipandopenmarketsale.Allleadingtoanincreasingproportionofthehousing

stockbeingheldonlongleaseholdtenure.Privatelandlordsfacereductionsinincometaxmortgage

interestrelief,immigrationcontrolobligationsandoutlawing

ofroguepractices.Thismayleadsomebuytoletlandlordstoexitthemarket;creatingdownwardpressureonhousepriceincreasesandincreasingaffordabilityforfirsttimebuyers.Leaseholderswhoarereluctanttopayforqualityservicesmaybereplacedbythoseunabletopay.OneoftheCMArecommendationswasthatallparties

shouldworktogethertomakepotentialleaseholdersmoreawareoftheirobligationspriortopurchase.TheIRPMhavebeeninvolvedinseveralinitiativestowardsthisaim.LEASEhaveproducedaonepagesummaryofinformationlinkingtomoredetailedguidancewhichestateagentsareexpectedtopasstoallaspiringleaseholdpurchasers.RevisedversionsofLPE1andLPE2havebeenproducedtostandardisesolicitorenquiries.TheLawCommissionhavepublishedtheirinitialfindings

andconsultationpaperonleaseexitfeesandother‘eventfees’.Thisisathoroughlyresearched,comprehensivedocumentwithsomewellthoughtoutandfullyreasonedrecommendations.ArefreshingcomparisontotheCMA’sinterimreport!Amongstits199pagesthereportisscathinginitscriticismofthequalityofinformationprovidedbyestateagentstopotentialpurchasersofleaseholdpropertieswithexitfee/deferredpurchaseobligations.TheypullnopunchesinhighlightingestateagentsarebreachingtheirdutiesunderConsumerProtectionRegulations(CPR2008).Thisbringsmetomycrystalballpredictionfor2016.

InresponsetotheCMA’sfindingsthatleaseholdersareoftenill-informedpriortopurchase,theIRPMpointedoutthattheOFT(whocommencedtheinvestigation)hadpublishedguidanceforEstateAgentshighlightingminimuminformationrequirementswithinleaseholdpropertydetailsandthatenforcementofthoserequirementswouldgoalongwaytowardsachievingtheirgoal.EnforcementoftheCPR2008nowsitswithTheNationalTradingStandardsEstateAgencyTeamofPowysCountyCouncilwhohaverecentlypublishedanupdatedversionoftheOFT’sguidance.MypredictionisthatTheLawCommission’scriticism

maybethefinaltippingpointtowardsenforcementactionandeducationofestateagencystaff.MinimuminformationrequirementswillresultinaminiHIPs(rememberthem?)forleaseholdpropertiesandestateagentsmayevenhavetostartreadingleasestogainanunderstandingoftherightsandobligationstheyaretryingtosell.Estateagentsreadingleases–youmustthinkI’vegone

starkravingmad!Evenifmybravenewworldpredictionistruethatwill

notremoveanyobligationonourmemberstoensurethatleaseholdersareinformed.Itisnotgoodenoughtoblameothers.Itisnotgoodenoughtorageaboutignorance.Therequirementsoneverybodyinvolvedwithinthesalesprocess;estateagents,managingagentsandconveyancerstoensuremoreinformedpurchasers,shouldremovemuchignoranceofleaseholdtenurebutitisstillincumbentuponourmemberstoexplainthequalityandvalueformoneyoftheirservicestotheircustomers.


Myviewof2016 JeffPlattFIRPMMRICS,JointCEO


2014 saw the introduction of three regional half day seminars in addition to the Institute’s ever popular annual

seminar, held in the capital each year. Last year’s regional events held in Bristol, Manchester & Birmingham proved to be extremely popular and were a great success in bringing some interesting and relevant learning to members located in those areas of the UK which make London a bit of a trek to reach.Theregionalseminarsaretherefore

verymuchheretostayandthreeeventswerequicklyextendedtofourthisyearinconjunctionwithanongoingvariationinlocationstotrytoensureasmanymembersaspossiblewereabletoattend.Speakersagaincoveredagreatcross-sectionoftopicsfromtechnicaltolegaltosoftskills,whichmeanttherereallywassomethingthateverymembercouldenjoyandlearnfrom.TheLeedsseminarwasheldatthe

RoyalArmouries,locatedintheheart

ofthecity.Thisisamodernmixedusecomplexwellknownforit’smuseum,waterwaysandconferencefacilities,butalsoaplacethatmanyregionalmembersandtheirfirmsmanageresidentialapartments.AsmyownfirmisLeedsbased,wedecidedtocapitaliseontheunusualeventof‘outsiders’comingtoYorkshireandattendedbythebusloadinthehopeofgainingsomeusefulinsights,beforereachingtheinevitableoutcomethatYorkshirefolkknewbestallalong.AsalwaystheIRPMsecretariat

hadorganisedtheeventwithflawlessefficiencyandmembersweregreetedwiththetraditionalfayreofcoffeeandbiscuitsandsettledintosomegeneral‘networking’beforetheeventstarted.Asasidepointforthosethatdon’tknow‘networking’isthetermusedtodescribegroupsofpeopleworkingforrivalcompanieswhoareallfeelingslightlyawkwardbecausetheyhavetomakepoliteconversationwithoneanother.Luckily,ourbussinginapproachhadledtojusttherightratioofpeoplefrommyfirmtoensure

thatthe‘networking’allranquitecomfortably.Anyway,wewereallpleasedtosee

greatandrespectedYorkshiremanandIRPMjointCEO,JeffPlatt,kickthingsoff.WewereallverypleasednottorequireanyformoftranslatortounderstandJeffwhospeaksgods-countrytonguefluently,andafterananecdoteortwothefirstspeakerwasup.ThistimeagreatYorkshirelass,

CassandraZanelliofTaylorandEmmettSolicitorsinSheffield,freshfromARMA’sconferencewhereshehadbeenhelpingacertainwellknownLondonBarristertotalkaboutlaw-typethings.FortunatelyCasshastheabilitytomakesomeoftenquitedullbutverynecessarysubjectmatterreallyveryinteresting.Eventhoselisteningwiththeleastenthusiasmforlegalmatterswerepleasantlysurprisedtofindthatherslotwashighlyengaging,coveringarangeofcaselawdecisionsinanupbeat,detailedandsometimesamusingmanner.NextupwasHugoWalker.Now

bythispointwewerebeginningto

RegionalSeminarsOct&Nov2015Newbury,Stevenage,Leeds&BirminghamLeeds:ChrisWilesFIRPMAssocRICS,ViceChairIRPMWeb/ITWorkingGroup

REMEMBER

youcanviewvideos

ofpresentationsinthe

MembersAreaofthe

websitehere:

http://bit.ly/1O5HcoJ


thinkthatwewerenevergoingtoseeanyofthe‘outsiders’thatIRPMhadpromisedus,howeverwewereallpleasantlysurprisedtofindoutthatHugowasdefinitelynotfromtheNorth.AsHugobegantospeakweallreadiedourselvesforsomegoodold-fashionedheckling,butImustsayheprovedusallwrong,deliveringaninsightfulintroductiontotheworldofCHP’s(that’s‘Combined,HeatandPower’plantsforthosethatdidnotseeoneofhistalks),andprovingthatpeoplefromoutsideYorkshiredoknowathingortwoaboutstuff.Thentokeepusallfeelingsafe

andsecure,Jeffwasbackonagain,thistimetalkingaboutthefutureofthepropertymanagementindustry.AftershowingushisCrystalBalls(nopunintended),MysticJeffmadehispredictionsfortheforthcomingyear.Solet’sprintitinblackandwhiteandseeifhe’srightthistimenextyear:HisvisionsincludechangesinourindustryduetoPRS(PrivateRentedSector)andInstitutionalInvestorsconsideringandmaybeevenmovingintoBuy

ToRent,alongsidetheOFTbeatingEstateAgentsovertheheadtomakethemtellleaseholderswhatthey’regettinginto.Afterafurthercoffeebreakand

more‘networking’wewereontothefinalspeaker,thehighlyentertainingAdamLaidlerofPeopleExperts.AdamintroducedustosomewomannamedCarolwholivesinhisheadandtoldustotameher!Shedidn’tlookveryhappyandeventuallyweallfoundoutwhy.NowIknowyouareallthinkingatthispointthattheguywritingthisarticlehasfinallylosttheplot,andyoumayberight,butbelievemethisiswhatactuallyhappened.Howevercomingbacktodown-to-earth,Adamhassomegreattechniquesthathetaughtusalltoboostself-confidenceandIcanhighlyrecommendhisideas.NowIknowwhatyou’rethinking,andtheansweris,he’sfromManchester–nowatonepointthatwouldhavebeenanoutsiderbutinthisdayandagewemustcompromiseandusethegenericterm‘Northerner’.

So,fourgreatspeakersandifyouwanttofindoutmoreabouttheirinsightfulwordsofadvicethenchecktheIRPMwebsiteforthefullsetofslidesfromeachtalkandmaybeevensomephotosandvideos.ItallcountsasCPD(whichputtingmysensibleIRPMhaton,Ishouldreallyremindyoualltodo)butmorethanthat,Icanguaranteeyouwilllearnsomething,notjustnew,butuseful.Thedayroundedoffwithmore

‘networking’butthistimefuelledbywine,beer,andquitepossiblythelargestselectionofnibblesIhaveeverseen,whichallmadetheprocessmuchlesspoliteandfarmorejovial.Sonextyear,pleasetryandattendoneoftheseregionalseminars,andallowusforthrightandeducatedNorthernerstospreadthelove.IfnothingelseIcanhighlyrecommendthefreewine.Chris Wiles FIRPM,AssocRICS,MNAEA,CIHM

Disclaimer:ViewsaremyownanddefinitelynotthatofanycompanyIworkfor,haveeverworkedfor,oreverwillworkfor.IfyoudidnotfindthisentertainingtoreadthenblameAdamLaidlerwhogavemetheself-confidencetoconcoctthisrelative-gibberish.

Since joining ARMA in July as Head of Operations one major project that I have been working on recently is the survey of the Section 20 consultation process, an area highlighted by the Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) in its market study into residential property management services, who recommended that the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) should review the Section 20 consultation process, with a view to improving its operational effectiveness.Thecurrentthresholdfor

consultationisreachedifthecontributionforanyoneleaseholderexceeds£250.Inapropertywithunequalservicechargecontributions,theneedforconsultationarisesifanyoneleaseholderwouldhavetopaymorethan£250;consultationmustthentakeplacewithallleaseholders.TheRegulations:the

ServiceCharges(ConsultationRequirements)(England)Regulations2003.

TheAct:theLandlordandTenantAct1985whichcontainstheprimarylegislationaboutconsultationinsection20oftheAct.Beforeanychangescanbeputto

GovernmentanimpactassessmentneedstobepreparedandinordertodothisdataneededtobecollectedfromwithintheindustryabouttheoperationofSection20inits currentformat.ARMAagreedtotaketheleadon

thisandhostedtwomeetingswithrepresentationfromourmembers,industrystakeholders,andwhichDCLGwerealsoinattendance.Thevalueofthecurrentthreshold

of£250haspossiblybeeneroded byinflationandtheincreaseintheVATratesothatSection20consultationisnowtriggeredforrelativelyminorandroutineworks.Thissituationisworseforverysmallblocksanditalsomeansthatthelegislationmaynotworkasintendedonlargeblockswhereverysignificantsumscanbespentbeforethethresholdkicksin.Additionallylesseescanbecomefrustratedwiththeformalprocessandany

associateddelaysandcosts.Dataneededtobeobtainedwhich

wouldallowustodiscoverhowfarthethresholdwouldneedtoberaisedtohaveamaterialeffectonthenumberofconsultationscarriedoutwhilstmaintainingtheprotectionaffordedtolessees.Theaimofthereviewistoachieve

a balance between protecting leaseholdersandraisingthethresholdthattriggersconsultationtoamoreeffectivelevelsothatthenumberofSection20consultationarereducedbuttheprotectiontolesseesremainshigh.

DuringAugustandSeptember 2015,ARMAundertookasurveywithinourmembershiptocapturedataon:• Section20‘qualifyingworks’ consultations;• Dispensation• Valueoflessee’scontribution;• Lesseeobservations;• Appointedcontractor;• QualifyingLongterm agreements;and • Administrationfees(ifany)

Theclosingdateforthesurveywasthe25thSeptemberandalargenumberoffirms,asmanyasthosewhotookpartintheARMAQconsultationsrespondedandcurrentlywearecurrentlycollatingallthedataprovided.Thedatacapturedisbased

onevidencethattakesinto accounttheviewsandexperience ofthoseaffectedanditiscriticalforustoensurethatanynewarrangementsareworkablefortheindustryandlessees.Thenextstepisthatwewill

beholdinganothermeetingwithrepresentationfromourmembersandindustrystakeholdersinJanuary2016togothroughourfindingsandreportonthedatacapturedandmyselfBenJordanandMartinPerry(Chairman)ofARMAwillalsobemeetingwiththeCMA.


Noella Morton FIRPMAssocRICS, HeadofOperationsatARMA


QUALIFICATIONS WORKING GROUP

(QWG)

MichaelMeschini-ChairMattAshley-Vice-Chair

DrRobertKeatsJeffPlatt

MartinRochfortIanSmallmanJanieStrange

MEMBERSHIP WORKING GROUP

(MWG)

HelenChristie-ChairSamanthaMassey-

Vice-ChairCarrickJohnsonMartinNewhouse

PaulTaylor

WEB/IT & MARKETING WORKING GROUP

(WEBITMWG)

PeterDevere-Catt- Chair

ChrisWiles-Vice-ChairTomLean

JanMiravite-TileyEmilyOrner

IRPM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FROM SEPTEMBER 2015

CHAIRMAN 2014-16DavidClarkFIRPMAssocRICS

VICE-CHAIRMAN 2014-16FelixKeenMCIPDMIRPMJOINT CHIEF EXECUTIVEJeffPlattFRICSFIRPM

JOINT CHIEF EXECUTIVEJanieStrangeFRICSFIRPM

DIRECTOR FOR SCOTLANDMartinRochfort FIRPMFRICS

MattAshleyMIRPMHelenChristieFIRPMPeterDevere-Catt MIRPMMRICS

SamanthaMassey MRICSMIRPMMichaelMeschini AIRPMFMAAT

JanMiravite-Tiley MIRPMAssocRICS

Who does the work of the IRPM?AreyouinterestedinhelpingwiththeIRPMworkloadorwonderingwhattherouteistobecominganIRPMBoardDirector?Readon…BoardDirectorsareappointed

fromthevolunteersonthethreeWorkingGroups(WG):Membership,QualificationsandWeb/Marketing.ByservingonaWG,membersgainexperienceofthevariousaspectsofIRPMworkandhaveanopportunitytobecomeChairofaWG.Chair’softheWG’sjointheBoardasDirector.BoardDirectors,theStaffTeamand

WGmemberssharetheInstitute’sworkload.Inadditiontothedaytodayadministrationofthe3200+members,theDirectors,StaffTeamandWGvolunteersworkonprojects. Examples of work achieved in 2015 are:• ImprovingtheaccessibilityofthemonthlyTechnicalUpdates–usefulmaterialforallmembersandespeciallythosestudyingfortheIRPMexams.• DevelopingtheInstitute’smagazine‘TheRPM’,increasingthecirculationtonon-membersinhard-copyatvariousevents,conferencesandseminars.• BesteverAnnualMembersSeminar.NextyearthiseventmovestotheRoyalInstituteofBritishArchitects(RIBA)inPortlandPlace-

Wednesday18thMay2016.• FourRegionalSeminarsheldinNewbury,Stevenage,LeedsandBirmingham• Developmentoftheonlinemembers’databaseandMembersAreaofthewebsite.Nowincludesenablingmemberstoupdatetheirownprofilesandresetpasswords.NewAffiliatesarenowabletoregisteronlineinaninstant!• Increasedengagementthroughsocialmedia,morememberandnon-memberfollowers,promotionandreportingonliveevents,cases,industrynews,etc.• IRPM’sdevelopmentofthePrivateRentalSector(PRS)syllabusandsignoffbytheGovernment’sPRSTaskForcealongwithrelevantlearningandtrainingmaterial.• ActivemembershipofthegroupdevelopingtheTrailblazerApprenticeshipsinHousingandPropertyManagementatLevels2,3&4.StandardsnowagreedwithBIS(DepartmentforBusiness,InnovationandSkills)andupontheGovernment’sTrailblazerwebsite.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of the Working Groups please contact the office for an application form: [email protected] or 020 7935 8478.

Jeff Platt FRICS FIRPM–FormerChairmanandcurrentlyJointCEOofIRPM,Jeffhas30years’experience in commercial and

residentialpropertymanagement.Hehasspecialistexpertiseinthemanagementandsaleofleaseholdretirementpropertiesandhasbeenheavilyinvolvedindevelopingprofessionalqualificationsandtrainingwithintheleaseholdmanagementsector.

Matt Ashley MIRPM –NewDirector to theBoardcommencing September2015butlongstandingmemberofthe

QualificationsWorkingGroup(QWG),MattisLegalDirector,UKatOsborneClarkeSolicitors,providingadvicetoresidentialandcommercialdevelopers.

Samantha Massey MRICS MIRPM -NewDirectortotheBoard commencing September2015,SamanthaisVice-Chairof

theMembershipWorkingGroup,AssociateDirectoratManagedLivingPartnerships,SamanthaalsorecentlyqualifiedasaCharteredSurveyor.

Chairman 2014-16 - David Clark FIRPM AssocRICS –FoundingGovernoroftheIRPMin2002,formerChairof

ARMAandcurrentIRPMBoardChairman,DavidisanowneratMainstayGroupandhasavarietybusinessinterests.MostrecentlyhebecameadirectorofFortisPropertyCare,oneofthelargestin-housemaintenancecompaniesforasocialhousing provider in the UK.

Janie Strange FRICS FIRPM – Founding Governor of the IRPM in 2002, past Chairman and current Joint CEO, Janie has

spent the last twenty years involved in residential block management. Formerly a partner at Cluttons and more recently Director of Property Management for Grosvenor’s London Estate, she is also the technical author of the (draft) Third Edition of the RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code.

Helen Christie FIRPM - is a TechnicalOfficerattheAssociationofResidentialManagingAgents.Sheisalsoan

FIRPMandChairoftheIRPM’sMembershipWorkingGroup.HelenstudiedCriminologyandLawatNorthumbriaUniversityandsheholdsadegreeinLaw.

Jan Miravite-Tiley MIRPM AssocRICS–pastChairoftheIRPM’sWeb/ITWorkingGroup,JanisaRegionalProperty

ManageratFirstPortBespokePropertyServices.

Vice-Chairman 2014-16 - Felix Keen MCIPD MIRPM -CurrentVice-ChairoftheIRPMBoard,FelixhasservedformanyyearsontheIRPM’s

MembershipWorkingGroupandExecutiveCommittee.HehasworkedattheFirstPortGroupsince2002inseniorrolescoveringHumanResources,PropertyManagementandiscurrentlyHeadofPropertyStandards.

Martin Rochfort FIRPM FRICS -IRPM’sDirectorforScotland,pastChairman,memberoftheQualificationsWorkingGroupandChairmanofthe

IRPMCollegeofFellows.FormerPresidentofthePropertyManagersAssociationforScotland(PMAS).

Peter Devere-Catt MIRPM MRICS –NewDirectortotheBoard commencing September2015,PeterisChairoftheIRPM’sWebWorkingGroup.

HeisaPartneratKnightFrank.

Michael Meschini AIRPM FMAAT -ChairoftheIRPM’sQualificationsWorkingGroup2014-16,Michael’sexpertiseisinServiceChargeAccountingandhe

iscommittedtothedevelopmentofthisaspectofpropertymanagement.MichaelistheBoard’sDirectorwithasharpeyeontheIRPM’sFinances.


Board Directors

TheWeb,ITandMarketingWorkingGroup(WEBITMWG)overseesthewebsite,ITprovisionandcentralisedmarketingfunctionsoftheIRPMunderthedirectionoftheBoard.Duringthecurrentmembershipyear(2015/16)thefocusofthegrouphasbeenon:• Theprovisionofanewlookonlineresourcehub• Refreshingthelookofthewebsite• Furthermembershipdatabaseimprovements• Improvementsinmarketingandcommunications

RESOURCE HUBTheResourceHubisanexistingresourceontheIRPMwebsitewhichtheboardhaveaskedtheworkinggrouptoimproveandexpandthecapabilityofwithaviewtore-launchinganewandimprovedversiontothemembership.Followingagreatdealoffocusonthisissueoverrecentmonths,plansforthehubfromanITperspectivearenowatanadvancedstage.Mock-upsofpossiblelooksforthehubandwebsitewererecentlypresentedattheFellowsdayandnewlogooptionshavebeenpreparedbyadesigner.Therehasbeenlots

ofdiscussionoftheoptionsandcosts.TheGroupfeltthatitmightbebettertostartwithanewITplatformbutgiventhebudgetavailableandafterdiscussionswiththeboardhaveproceededwithmakingasmanycosteffectiveimprovementsaspossibletothe existingplatform.

WEBSITEWhilelookingattheResourceHuboptionstheopportunityarosetoincludeare-skinofthecurrentsiteintheplans.AsagroupwefeltthatthiswasimportantinordertopresentamodernandforwardlookingimageoftheIRPMtotheworld.Thesedevelopmentsarenowatanadvancedstage,adesignerhavingcompletedplansforthese.WearenowworkingontheunderpinningdeliveryofthenewsitewithDwellantwhoprovidethedatabasefunctionalitytothewebsite.

DATABASEPartoftheworkoftheGroupistosupportSarah, AgaandDiptiintheirworkindeliveringtheservicesintheIRPMoffice.Overthelastfewyearswehaveworkedonnumerousprojectswhichhaveresultedinnumerousimprovementsbothinuserfunctionality andofficelaboursavingtothebenefitofall.Thestateofthedatabaseandimprovementsrequiredisconstantlyreviewedbythegroupanddiscussedattheregularmeetings.

MARKETINGThisisanareawithsignificantoverlapwithothergroupswhoarealsointrinsicallylinkedtothemarketingposition.Duringthecourseoftheyearameetingwasheldwiththemembershipworkinggroupinordertodiscussmarketingoptionsforincreasingmembership.ThegroupalsoregularlydiscussedmarketingthroughsocialmediaandalotofworkisbeingdoneinthisareatopublicisetheIRPM.

ROUNDUPIthasbeenanexcitingyearforthegroup,andwe arehopingtodeliversomeoftheimprovementswehavespentsomuchofthisyearplanningtothemembershipin2016.


Update from the Web/IT and Marketing Working GroupPeterDevere-CattMRICSMIRPM,Web/ITWGChair


IRPM Office Quick Bites!>Knowyourmembershiplevelsanddesignations“Affiliatenodesignation,AssociateAIRPM,MemberMIRPM andFellowFIRPM”

>Affiliatescanjoinonline–this isbrandnew!Thelocationis: Membership/JointheIRPM/registerONLINEforAffiliatemembership

>YoucanedityourownprofileintheMembersAreahere:

>DidyouknowthattheAssociate examisequivalenttolevel3NVQandtheMembersexamtolevel4NVQ?

>TheIRPMMembershipyearrunsfromAprilthroughtoMarch,subscriptionrenewalsaredueApril1st

Your IRPM Office StaffSarah Williams Finance&OperationsManager

AgaBanasiakOfficeManager

Dipti GadherMembershipAdministrator

HOW COULD YOU WIN?YouneedtoupdateyourIRPM2015CPDbyloggingintotheMembersOnlysectionoftheIRPMwebsite.

OnceyouhaveloggedintotheIRPMwebsite,goto:https://irpm.org.uk/members/page/cpd-update

AddyourCPDentriesasperthefollowingheadings:• ActivityTitle• ActivityDate• TotalHours• Whatdidyoulearn?• Howwillitbenefityouinfuture?• Ifyou’rereadingthissentence–congratulationsforfindingit!Toenterachampagnedrawjustsendanemailto‘[email protected]’tellingusbrieflywhatyoulikedordidn’tlikeaboutthisissueofRPM.Oneentrypermember-tobedrawn18thJanuary2016.

PleasebesuretosaveanychangesyoumakeonyourCPDrecords.Don’tloseyourentries!

Rememberyouhaveuntil31stDecembertorecord yourCPDhoursfor2015.

Needalittlehelponwhatisrelevent?https://www.irpm.org.uk/public/page/relevant-CPD activities

IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED RICS (OR OTHER ORGANISATION) CPD - thenallyouhavetodoisloginintotheMembersAreaandaddtwoentriesof CPDfor2015at8hourseachwith“RICSCPD”intheheadingandbodyoftheentries.

WIN AN IPAD MINI


CASE UPDATESTRIPLEROSE LTD V NINETY BROOMFIELD ROAD RTM CO LTD TheCourtofAppealdecidedthataRighttoManagecompanycannotacquiretherighttomanage(RTM)formorethanoneself-containedbuildingorpartofabuilding.ThishascreateduncertaintyforexistingRTMcompaniesformedtomanagemorethanoneblock:issuchacompany’sstatusasanRTMcompanyvalidandifnot,howshouldthesituationberectified?EachcasewouldneeditsownbespokeadvicebutyoushouldconsiderthattheCourtofAppealisgenerallyconsideredtobedeclaratoryofwhatthelawalwayswasandnotprospectivedecisionswhichchangethelaw.Therefore,theCourtofAppealhasconfirmedthatitwasalwaysthelawthatanRTMcompanycanonlyexercisetherighttomanageforoneblock.

INGRAM V CHURCH COMMISSIONERS FOR ENGLANDTheUpperTribunal(LandsChamber)appealofferssomeclarification;VATchargedbyamanagingagentonthesalariesofcaretakingstaffwasrecoverablethroughtheservicechargeastheVATdidnotfallwithintheextra-statutoryconcessionsetoutinVATNotice48paragraph3.18.TheUpperTribunalalsosuggestedthatincurringVATonitemschargedtoservicechargesmaypotentiallyallowleaseholderstoarguethattheresultingincreasedcosttothemisunreasonableforthepurposesofsection19oftheLandlordandTenantAct1985,ifitispossibletoarrangetheworksorservicesconcerned,withoutincurringVAT.

COWLING V WORCESTER COMMUNITY HOUSING LTD TheUpperTribunalappealheldthattheFirstTierTribunal(PropertyChamber)(FTT)cannothearaservice

chargechallengewhenthoseservicechargesalreadyformpartofacountycourtmoneyjudgment.

SKELTON & OTHERS V DBS HOMES (KINGS HILL) LIMITEDTheappealtotheUpperTribunal(LandsChamber)concernedservicechargesdemandedonaccountfortheyears2011-12,2012-13and2013-14.TheUpperTribunalheldthatthechargesbecamepayablewhenthecopyoftheestimateasrequiredbythelease,wasprovidedtothelesseesin2014.Asthedemandswereonaccounti.e.theywereforestimatedfuturecostsratherthancostsincurredmorethan18monthsbeforethedemand,section20BoftheLandlordandTenantAct1985didnotapply.

WILLENS V INFLUENTIAL CONSULTANTS LTDInthisUpperTribunal(LandsChamber)forfeitureappeal,thelandlordemaileditssolicitorswithexpressinstructionsconcerningthepreparationandserviceofanoticeundersection146oftheLawofPropertyAct1925.Theemailwasheldtobeclearevidencethatthelandlordwascontemplatingforfeitureofthelease.Thereforethelandlord’slegalfeesincurredatthetimewereadministrationchargeswithinthewordingofthe leaseandwererecoverablefromthelessee.

POST BOX GROUND RENTS LTD V POST BOX RTM CO LTD TheUpperTribunal(LandsChamber)heldthatwhereaRTMcompanyhasappliedtotheFTTseekingtoacquirethestatutoryrighttomanageundertheCommonholdandLeaseholdReformAct2002,itcouldnotunilaterallywithdrawthatapplication;theFTTshouldformallydismisstheapplicationtoensurethatthelandlordisentitledtorecoveritscostsoftheproceedingsundertheAct.

Insurance Premium Tax Reminder“Just to remind you with effect from 1st November 2015, Insurance Premium Tax will be increasing from 6% to 9.5%Thiswillmeanthebuildings

insurancepremiumwillbeincreasedby3.5%forIPTandindexlinking;currentlybetween4-5%(soyou

couldbelookingat8.5%increaseonlastyear’spremiumsforclaimfreebusiness).Thisisbeforeanygeneralrateincreases;shouldtheinsurerdecidetoimposeoneandanyadditionalrateincreases;shouldyourdevelopmenthavesufferedanyclaimswithintheperiodof

insurance,areapplied.Pleasehavethisinmindwhen

settingthebudgetsforyourclientsormanagingtheirrenewalexpectations!” MemofromMariaAmes-AssociateDirector,StGilesInsuranceandFinanceServicesLtd:


YOU CAN CONTACT THE IRPM BY:Calling us on 020 7935 8478E-Mailing us [email protected]

Join us on: Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook and Instagram

WRITING TO US AT:Institute of Residential Property Management Ltd75 Gloucester Place, London W1U 8JP

Contentandopinionpresentedinthisnewslettershouldnotbe takenasnecessarilyrepresentingtheviewsoftheIRPM.

Anytechnicalorlegalinformationgivenisofageneralnature.Furtherresearchandadviceshouldbesoughtbeforetaking specificaction.

IRPMoffersindividuals...

setting standards Anindependentaccreditationas

totheirprofessionalskills

setting standards Aclearcareerdevelopmentpath

setting standards Improvedemployment

opportunities

setting standards Networkingwithfellow

professionals

setting standards Informationoneventsand

seminars(someat discountedrates)

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ProfessionalDevelopment(CPD)

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2015 regionals page 8 - irpm · 2016-11-18 · 2015 regionals page 8 hear from the youngest mirpm...

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