Property Management Flashcards
What are the main documents relating to Property Management?
- RICS Guidance Note on Commercial Property Management in England & Wales 2011
- RICS Professional Statement on Estate Management 2016
Talk me through the RICS Guidance Note on Commercial Property Management in England & Wales 2011
A guide to best practice for commercial property managers
- Focuses on how a property manager can be efficient, effective and accountable
- Primary duty of care is to the client (landlord)
Gives specific advice on:
- Rent collection
- Service charges
- Managing buildings
- H&S
- Procurement of third party suppliers
Contains a useful summary of all relevant law and model terms of engagement
Talk me through RICS Professional Statement on Estate Management 2016
Mandatory – outlines 12 principles that share the culture of fairness and transparency
- Act in an honest, fair and transparent manner
- Carry out work with due skill, care and diligence
- Terms of Business with CHP
- Avoid COIs
- Do not discriminate
- All communications are fair, decent and clear
- All marketing is truthful
- Client money is held separately
- Hold appropriate PI insurance
- Make identity of your client clear
- Provide realistic assessments
- Ensure meetings, inspections and viewings are undertaken with regard to security and safety
What are the three forms of dilapidations schedules?
- Interim schedule (during lease with at least 3 years remaining)
- Terminal schedule (served in last 3 years)
- Final Schedule (served at LEX/break)
What is the first step when reviewing dilapidations?
Read the bludclart lease
- Check for lease terms to understand repairing obligations
- Check for a schedule of condition
- Check for Licence to Alter
What document relates to dilaps?
RICS Guidance Note on Dilapidations 2016
Aims to reduce claims between LL and Ts
Key points:
- Guidance on diminution valuations
- Explores supersession
- Emphasises importance of careful and considered estimates
- Both parties to keep to agreed timescales
- Both parties expected to act reasonably and make genuine endeavours to settle
What is the format of a dilaps schedule?
Format of schedule
- Outline repairing obligations
- State the remedy and cost
- Loss of rent over period to do works (if appropriate)
- Fees + VAT
- Negotiations on WP basis
If agreement not reached, court/ADR is used and Scott Schedule required
What limits the claim of a dilaps schedule?
Claim limited to cost of works or in accordance with S.18 of 1927 L&T act - the diminution in value (the difference in value of the property upon possession had the covenants to repair not been undertaken)
Why might a dilaps claim not be settled?
- When the lease is not on full repairing terms
- Reinstatement not required by LL
- SoC limits repairing liability
- If building is to be demolished or refurbished
- Tenant has gone into administration
- When agreement made to roll into renewal lease
What are the fundamental principles of rent collection?
- Accuracy of information
- Timing
When is rent usually paid?
On quarter days unless stated otherwise
When are the quarter days?
25th March, 24th June, 29th September and 25th December
What is the difference between a standing order and a direct debit?
Standing order - can only take out a previously agreed amount of money
Direct debit - where any amount of money can be taken from the account
What steps or considerations should you undertake with regards to rent arrears?
- Always read the lease (check for guarantors, and recovery procedures)
- Check warning signs (Bounced cheques, persistent late payments)
- Check for a rent deposit
- Consider market strength, and chances of re-letting
- Consider vacant unit costs
If a tenant goes into arrears, what remedies or steps can you take?
Ultimately, this is influenced by level of rent outstanding and history and context
- Court proceedings (CCJ)
- Use of a rent deposit
- Pursue former tenants and guarantors
- Serve a statutory demand
- CRAR scheme (Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act, 2007)
- Forfeiture
- Payment plan
- Agree a mutually beneficial arrangement
What is repair?
- Meaning found in case law (Ravenseft Properties v Davstone 1978):
- Liability cannot arise in absence of repair
- Tenants may be responsible for inherent defects
- Repair is not an improvement
Talk me through Ravenseft Properties v Davstone 1978
- There was damage to a property as a result of a design defect
- The defective areas were replaced
- It was found that the remedial works fell under the tenant’s repairing liability
- There is no exclusion for damage caused by an inherent design defect