Block & estate Management 

Buildings Maintenance

Planned maintenance is designed to protect the condition and appearance of the property and, as a consequence, the value of your investment. As part of an independent property consultancy we work with Chartered Building Surveyors who can provide advice on structural issues and cyclical maintenance such as Planned Maintenance Programmes (PMP).  

Our Block Management team can advise and arrange the preparation of specifications for tender and the organisation of statutory Section 20 Notices and consultation periods as prescribed by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 when large projects require this. 

All our registered contractors adhere to strict health and safety procedures and have relevant Insurance in place. We regularly review our contractors' standards as the quality of their work is paramount to our service. 

All legal compliances are reviewed by the Block Managers to ensure the safety, inspection and testing of on-site equipment such as lift safety, fire alarm testing and emergency lighting, to ensure the safety of residents at all times.

• Preparation of Specifications for tender
• Contractors
• Lift Engineering Service and Maintenance

Property inspection

Our Block Managers inspect their portfolio of blocks of flats and estates on a regular basis, completing a site inspection report and reviewing any maintenance requirements on site. High standards and a proactive approach to our Block Management ensures that problems are resolved quickly and efficiently.

We adhere strictly  to Health and Safety requirements, all properties have a Fire Risk Assessment in place and formal review. Additionally Asbestos Registers are also maintained in order to comply with all current legislation. Our Block Managers review any issues and monitor these at all site inspections.

• Site Inspections
• Health and Safety

Service Charge Amounts

Tenants living in or renting space within a block have to pay a service charge to cover maintenance and general building costs. In accordance with the Lease, our block management team will collect any service charge and ground rent as required. We comply with the RICS Code of Practice in the handling and collection of monies and operate Designated Client Accounts. 

Our pro-active attitude to collecting any outstanding monies helps limit potential financial difficulties. Should we need to chase a debt, our accounts manager will ensure strict credit control procedures are adhered to and undertake arrears protocol.

We have a wealth of experience in creating a service charge budget, which takes into account the terms of the Lease and is based on actual expenses incurred, subject to inflationary increases. The proposed budget is presented to the directors for approval prior to being adopted by members at the Annual General Meeting. 

We check contractors' invoices to ensure they match the agreed expenditure limits before approving and raising payment which is normally settled within 7 days of receipt. As part of this service we will also ensure work has been completed in accordance with the quote.

At the end of each financial year our accounts manager will prepare the necessary documents for the building's Final Accounts to be signed off by accredited accountants. 

• Service Charge Demands
• Year End Accounts
• Company Accounts Records
• Budgets
• Contractor invoices
• Ground Rent Demands
• Financial Reporting

Insurance

We will organise appropriate insurance cover for the property, it's directors and/or officers. All our insurances are re-tendered on an annual basis to ensure the best value for our customers. We can provide details of the insurance cover to the leaseholders as required. In the event of an insurance claim liaise we can assist with submitting and overseeing the claim.

We also offer an insurance only service for apartment blocks and will be happy to provide an insurance quote even if we do not manage your block.

• Insurance cover for the property, it's directors and/or officers.
• Insurance only service

Other Services

As part of Easton Bevins, a multidisciplinary consultancy, we can offer a vast array of additional property related services including; architectural design, project management, contract administration, building surveying, quantity surveying, party wall advice and expert witness services. 

We also offer additional compliance services such as Fire Risk Assessments, Health and Safety and Insurance Valuations. These can be provided at preferential rates if we manage your apartment block.

Health & safety assessment

Health and safety regulations are a legal requirement not only to ensure the safety of residents living in the property, but also their visitors and anybody who works on the property. They not only cover risk assessments for communal areas but also gas and electricity safety, working at height safety and hazardous substance including asbestos and legionella.

Easton Bevins have many years' experience with health and safety compliance for block management and stay on top of all the latest regulations, ensuring that we take all the necessary measures to keep your building and its occupants safe.

Building insurance valuation

Severe problems can arise due to lack of adequate insurance cover. Clients/Policy Holders are advised to re-assess the sums insured, with an annual adjustment to reflect inflationary effects, and a major review and reassessment every three years or whenever any extensions or significant alterations are made to the insured property.

Reinstatement Cost Assessments are generally made on the basis of total loss, or of such substantial damage that the entire building will require demolition and rebuilding. This is usually a requirement of your buildings insurance. The duty is now placed on the policy holder to assess the value of the sum insured. 

Easton Bevins are able to undertake RCA’s for insurance purposes. To meet a high standard of professional competence and best practice, the RICS Practice Standards for the Reinstatement Cost Assessment of buildings is followed. Our particular experience covers blocks of flats and commercial property.

And then the, the reinstate obviously because block management, manage the insurance covers as well. We do a lot of reinstatement cost assessments for them as well. But then we also get it from other players who give us give us work as well.

Statutory consents

Whatever works you are proposing to your property it's likely that you will require some form of permission or approval. These are known as Statutory Consents and may include:

• Planning Permission
• Building Regulations
• Listed Building Consent
• Fire Risk Assessments

We have experience in all types of projects from simple domestic extensions through to large new build developments. We can prepare the applications and prepare and/or advise on all necessary information to ensure that you have the correct approvals and permissions in place.