Residential Block Management

Residential block management is the process of managing the communal areas of residential properties through a service charge. At Carling Jones we believe that managing a block of flats or a residential estate requires a professional approach, time and dedication which involves constant communication with various contractors in respect of maintenance and repairs, insurance of the building and, in some cases, provision of central heating, lifts, estate staff, lighting and cleaning of common areas.  Good residential block management also requires an understanding of legislation and leasehold matters, preparation of budgets and annual accounts, as well as routine inspections to check that the property is in good order.

A major part of a role in block management is ensuring that the landlord or residents association get value for money for their service charge payments, and the building is maintained in accordance with the terms of the lease.  We pride ourselves on providing property management services at a competitive price enabling service charges to be kept at a minimum whilst providing the highest level of customer service.

Why Use Carling Jones?

Carling Jones is a regulated firm of the RICS and we follow the RICS service charge residential management code.  Mark Carling is a Chartered Surveyor and takes the lead with all of our block management instructions.  Our success is based on our employees being qualified and knowledgeable in all areas of property, leases and landlord and tenant legislation.

For every instruction Mark will undertake an initial property survey that will identify any issues with regards to:

• The structure
• Cosmetic requirements
• Maintenance programmes
• Running costs

Our role to arrange the highest quality services at an economic cost means that we only contract work to qualified contractors who have a proven track record and provide best value for money. Due to conflicts of interest in accordance with RICS guidance we do not have “in house” contractors and do not receive any financial gain from any of the contractors we use.

What We Do

Our residential management package will normally include the following services:

• Service charge collection from all apartment owners and on-going credit control;
• Instructing contractors to carry out all repair and maintenance works within the common areas;
• Preparation of a planned preventative maintenance schedule, if required;
• Reconciliation of annual company accounts and preparation of annual service charge budgets;
• Arranging and attending directors meetings;
• Arranging for annual accounts to be prepared and filed at companies house by an external accountant;
• Overseeing the appointment and resignation of any company directors including filing of necessary paperwork at companies house;
• Arranging and attending annual AGM;
• Ensuring that all common areas comply with health and safety legislation;
• Regular site inspections;
• Overseeing the change of shareholders within the management company when apartments are bought and sold, including the issue of share certificates;