Building Blocks

With Block Management the new buzz words in the world of property Sawyer & Co decided to seize the bull by the horns, but not without undergoing professional training

Block management is the topic on the tongues of almost every estate agent in town right now. It’s not a new concept but it’s one that until recently seemed to slip under the radar of most people’s consciousness. Sawyer & Co were quick to recognise the potential, feeling that many blocks were poorly managed and that there was an opportunity to launch a block management department that could offer a fresh approach. But they were not willing to simply jump on the bandwagon; if Sawyer’s were going to take on block management as a business then they were going to do it right and invest in suitable professional training. Enter Shula Rich.

Shula Rich is a leasehold expert, so we asked how she became involved in training agents in the finer points of block management and the legislation that governs it. So how did she get involved? “From 1990 to 1996 I was involved in a dispute over repairs at Kingsway Court on Hove seafront where I was a resident. As residents we had been presented with a massive £2,000,000 bill by the freeholders Mars Securities, the confectionery company.

“I was the ‘leader of the opposition’ in that long protest, and it certainly sharpened the concentration. It was then that I learned what it meant to be a leaseholder. I realised how little leaseholders know about their position. I actually knew very little and possibly, in hindsight, I was rather unfair on the freeholders.

“Back then I received help from three organisations: Brighton Rights Centre, the Leasehold Enfranchisement Association and Brighton Leaseholders Association.

“We eventually succeeded, in 1996, in purchasing the freehold of Kingsway Court. Since then, because of the help I was given, I give my services helping leaseholders with any issues that they have with oppressive managers, lease terms, managing agents and so on. I am now the coordinator of the remaining two organisations which have merged as Brighton, Hove & District Leaseholders Association and I lecture and write on leasehold issues.

“I have been thanked in Parliament for reforms to leasehold law and now work with ARLA and the National Federation of Property Professionals, two very prestigious organisations, and I write and present all their courses on block management. I am often asked if my courses focus on the client. My courses care about both sides, taking in every point of view. I know from experience how important that is. The legislation is constantly changing and it is vital that professionals in this industry stay in touch with those changes. As recently as 2002 it became possible for not only freeholders of a block, but also leaseholders to replace their property management company. Very few people are aware of that and I am sure that if they were there would be plenty who would want to review their current situation.”

“If Sawyer’s were going to take on block management as a business then they were going to do it right and invest in suitable professional training”

The team at Sawyer’s, recognising an opportunity, embarked on a six month training schedule which took place in Hammersmith, London. Chris Sawyer told us, “We were actually turning block management work away, but Andrew Head wanted to look into it further. So eventually we decided that we would get involved but that we would have to get professional training. In fact the courses were very inspiring and it made us realise that many of the skills we have were transferable to block management.

“The work was hard, trying to understand the often complex legislation, but it was very enjoyable too, and we all looked forward to the course work. We would sit on the train on the way back and continue discussing what we were learning after every lesson.”

Shula continues, “To be a good managing agent you need those years and years of property experience that the Sawyer’s team have. But in addition to that, Sawyer’s had a real hunger to learn and to become the best.”

Andrew Head, who will head up the new department says, “We will apply the same levels of service and care that we apply to our sales and lettings business for which we have gained a great reputation. We believe in always being client focused, transparent and flexible.

“It goes without saying that we will offer a bespoke approach to every property, and we charge fees in a way that people will find reasonable. We have already had requests to manage blocks, and now that leaseholders have the right to manage their own building in the same way as the freeholders, we know that we can offer an expert and professional service that will be an asset to any building. Quality block management is essentially a locally based business and cannot be effectively outsourced to another county or town even. Being on the spot is vital. Being well managed is vital too, if a block is to maintain its value and in fact increase in value over the years. Investing in quality maintenance of a building and its common parts can be a great way of ensuring that your part of that property will realise the best possible returns, whether selling or from rental income. We will offer a programme of ongoing maintenance and improvements, never bodging or making do and always responding to issues with appropriate speed.”

Shula sums things up by saying, “Leaseholders should be prepared to pay a reasonable fee to get a good job. A good managing agent is worth every penny because they will be protecting your investment. The lowest price is not necessarily the best or the cheapest in the long term. Value for money is not a judgement that can be made on price alone but must also take into consideration people and quality of service. Having met and trained the team at Sawyer & Co I have been impressed by them as people, by the service that they already offered and I am sure that they will offer great value to companies seeking a block management service.”

The Sawyer & Co Team have now completed their training and have received the certificates for their new qualifications from Shula and ARLA. They would be happy to discuss block management with any concerned parties who would like to discover if they are getting the best service and the best value to ensure the ongoing security of their property investment. Sawyer & Co can also assist leaseholders in setting up their own right to manage companies so that they can then control how their building is managed.
Sawyer & Co, 52 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2FN, 01273 778844, www.sawyerandco.uk