Property Management Flashcards
What is a BMS?
A Building Management System (BMS), sometimes called a Building Automation System (BAS), is a computer-based system installed to control and monitor a building’s electrical equipment such as ventilation, lighting, energy, fire systems, and security systems.
As a property manager, what are your H&S / fire safety obligations?
To ensure a suitable risk assessment is carried out for the property - GRA & FRA
To ensure risks are minimised
To comply with legislation
To communicate with occupants/stakeholders
How do you ensure good management of mixed use developments?
Comprehensive site setup, including:
Lease analysis - documentation
Software configuration
relationship-building
Talk me through the requirements of S11 of the LTA 1985.
What obligation does this place on landlords?
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 implies an absolute and non-excludable obligation upon landlords to carry out basic repairs.
The structure and exterior of the dwelling and the building containing the dwelling
(including drains, gutters and external pipes).
The installations for the supply of water, gas and electricity and sanitary installations
(including basins, baths and W.C.s).
The installations for the supply of space heating (i.e. gas fires / central heating) and water heating.
What is the Occupiers Liability Act 1957/1984?
The Occupiers Liability Act 1957 imposes a duty of care on occupiers towards lawful visitors to their premises, requiring them to take reasonable care to ensure visitors’ safety.
The Occupiers Liability Act 1984 extends this duty of care to cover trespassers and other persons not considered lawful visitors, requiring occupiers to take reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm.
Q: How do these impact upon your role? (Occupiers Liability Act)
As a property professional, you need to be aware of these Acts and their implications, ensuring that property owners or managers maintain safe premises and take appropriate measures to minimize risks to both lawful visitors and trespassers.
This includes advising clients on their legal obligations, identifying potential hazards, and recommending necessary actions or improvements to meet their duty of care.
Under the Occupiers Liability Act 1954, what happens if an injury was caused to a visitor due to the faulty work of a third party?
The Occupiers Liability Act 1957, not 1954, applies in this case. If an injury was caused to a visitor due to the faulty work of a third party, the occupier may still be held liable if they failed to take reasonable care to ensure the visitor’s safety.
However, if the occupier can demonstrate that they took reasonable care in selecting the third party and ensuring the work was properly done, they may be able to avoid liability.
How can you satisfy your duty of care to persons other than visitors under the Occupiers Liability Act 1984?
A: To satisfy your duty of care under the Occupiers Liability Act 1984, you should take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to persons other than visitors, such as trespassers.
This may include regularly inspecting the property for potential hazards, fixing dangerous conditions, or providing adequate warnings of any hazards that cannot be eliminated.
Tell me about a key point of the Management of H&S at Work Regulations 1999 / Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 / Water Supply Regulations 1999 / Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 / Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 / Defective Premises Act 1972 / Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 / Gas Safety Regulations 1998 / CDM Regulations 2015.
A: Management of H&S at Work Regulations 1999: These regulations require employers to conduct risk assessments, implement appropriate control measures, and provide adequate training and information to employees to ensure their health and safety at work
What are the two tests for corporate insolvency?
cash-flow test
balance-sheet test.
The cash-flow test considers whether a company can pay its debts as they fall due, while the balance-sheet test assesses whether a company’s liabilities exceed its assets.
What are 3 of the key principles of RICS Real Estate Management?
- Manage property transparently and maintain confidentiality
- Deal with tenants constructively, courteously, and honestly
- Provide 24-hour contact arrangements
What is a PPM
Planned preventative maintenance
How can you protect the security of client’s money?
Comply with RICS Service Charge Code
Comply with ICAEW Technical release
Have separate accounts
Segregate funds using software
Excellent record keeping
conduct reconciliations
Produce quarterly/monthly reports
Be regulated by RICS
Bank with reputable banks
Ensure PII Insurance is in place and fidelity insurance
What requirements do RICS place on firms holding client’s money?
- Be aware and implement Client money handling
RICS PROFESSIONAL STANDARD
Effective from 1 January 2020 - Have designated client accounts
- Ensure proper segregation
- Ensure reconciliation are carried out - we do weekly
- Adhere to money protection scheme rules
What is the RICS Client money protection scheme
Provides collection as a last resort in instances where an RICS firm is unable to repay a client money
What is an RICS annual return?
A report submitted to RICS on client accounts to demonstrate compliance
What is an RICS regulatory review?
RICS assessment of a firm’s compliance with regulations
What happens if you have surplus money in a client account that is not claimed after 6 years?
If, after three years, the client or owner of the money has not been found and no true claimants to the money have come forward, it must be donated to a registered charity.
A receipt must be obtained for this transaction.
What is a key issue relating to holding client’s money?
Ensuring funds are secure and managed properly and not mixed with office funds / other client funds
What is a reconciliation?
Comparing client account records with bank statements to ensure accuracy
What controls should be in place relating to holding client’s money?
Segregation of duties,
authorisation procedures
authority levels
regular account reviews
Tell me about the PRS Code of Practice (2015) and how it impacts upon your practice.
Sets standards for property professionals in the private rented sector, impacting practices in areas like service delivery, client communication, and legal compliance
What are the two types of ASTs?
- Periodic tenancies
which run from one rent period to another,
- Fixed-term tenancies
which last for a specified period.
What is an assured tenancy?
An assured tenancy is a more secure type of tenancy that provides tenants with long-term security of tenure, making it more difficult for the landlord to regain possession of the property.
What would you expect to find in a tenancy agreement?
A tenancy agreement should include the names of the landlord and tenant, the rental property’s address, the rent amount and frequency, the tenancy start and end dates, tenant and landlord responsibilities, and any specific terms or conditions agreed upon.
Should prospective tenants be given any guidance (e.g. Government) before signing a tenancy agreement?
Yes, prospective tenants should be given guidance, such as the Government’s “How to Rent” guide, which provides important information about their rights and responsibilities as tenants.
What does the Housing Act 1988 say about tenancies?
The Housing Act 1988 introduced the
- Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST)
- Assured Tenancy (AT)
setting out the legal framework for private residential tenancies in England and Wales, including rules for rent, security of tenure, and possession rights.
Should an AST be used for a company let?
I would double check this with a letting agent.
I believe No, an AST should not be used for a company let, as the tenant is a company rather than an individual. A separate company let agreement should be used instead.
What is a Rent Act 1977 tenancy?
A Rent Act 1977 tenancy is a regulated tenancy that predates the Housing Act 1988, offering strong security of tenure and rent control for tenants.
What other forms of tenancy exist?
Other forms of tenancy include common law tenancies, license agreements, and contractual tenancies.
What Tenancy Schemes can you use?
In England and Wales, there are three government-approved deposit protection schemes:
1.Deposit Protection Service,
- MyDeposits,
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
What legislation do you have to comply with which is specific to residential/HMO property?
Key legislation includes the Housing Act 2004, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, HMO Management Regulations
What must be included on rent demands?
Rent demands should include the landlord’s name and address, tenant’s name and address, rental property address, rent amount and due date, and any applicable late fees or penalties.
What should contractors have when working on site?
Contractors should have proper identification, proof of qualifications, and any necessary permits or licenses.
What does the HHSRS say about ensuring safe and healthy living environments and demands for improvements by a LHA?
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is a risk tool that assesses potential hazards in residential properties.
Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) can demand improvements to properties with category 1 or 2 hazards.
Talk me about risk assessment under HHSRS.
.
Housing Health & Safety Rating System
Risk assessment under HHSRS involves evaluating the likelihood and severity of potential hazards in a property, considering the vulnerable population and potential harm
What categories exist under HHSRS and what do they mean?
Category 1 hazards pose a significant risk to health and safety and require immediate action, while
Category 2 hazards are less severe but may still warrant remedial action.
What fire safety and testing measures do you have to carry out?
Ensure regular risk assessment carried out
Ensure compartmentation and fire checks in in with Fire Saftey England Regulations 2001
Ensure statutory testing carried out of fire alarms and emergency lights - and other equipment including AOVs
Ensure high-level stats of portfolio are assessed on open items
What guidance do you need to consider for observing fire safety?
RICS - Health & Safety for Residential Property Managers - 2016
RICS Journals around PAS 9980
Cladding FAQs on RICS website - 18 April 2023
RICS - Valuation approaches for properties in multi storey residential buildings with cladding - December 2022
ARMA Guidance notes on fire safety encompassing the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety Act 2021
What is PAS9980?
An updated standard taking a more holistic approach to assist building owners/managers in risk assessing the EWS systems and overall fire safety compliance of their developements
What are some of the key features of PAS 9980?
- Guidance on undertaking a fire fire risk appraisal of external wall constriction and cladding systems
- PAS applies where risk is known or suspected to arise from the construction used for the external wall
- Purpose is to assess the risk to occupants from fire spreading over within the external walls
- Also to assess what remediation measures may be necessary to reduce risk