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APC ASSESSMENT > Property Management (Level 3) > Flashcards

Property Management (Level 3) Flashcards

1
Q

Professional Standard - What is included in Service Charges in Commercial Property (2018)?

A
  • Introduction
  • Mandatory requirements
  • Core Principles
  • Best Practice
  • Appendix A: Compliance Checklist
  • Appendix B: Cost classifications
  • Appendix C: Sample Report
  • Appendix D: Handover Procedures
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2
Q

Professional Standard - What are the 9 mandatory obligations of Service Charges in Commercial Property (2018)

A
  • Recover no more than 100% of costs
  • Budgets must be issued annually
  • Reconciliation provided annually
  • All interest earned, credited to service charge accounts, after appropriate deductions (tax etc)
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3
Q

Professional Standard - What is Real Estate Management (2016) and what is the structure?

A

Professional Standard - Mandatory

Introduction
Ethics
Securing Instructions
Leasing
Management
Asset/Portfolio Management
Terminating Instructions
H&S
Business Mnaagement

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4
Q

Professional Standard - What are some of the core principles in Real Estate Management (2016)?

A
  • There are 12 core principles
  • Clear communication
  • Act with due skill and diligence
  • Transparency
  • Do not discriminate
  • Ensure client money is held separately
  • Appropriate PII cover
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5
Q

Professional Standard - Prior to accepting an instruction, what should real estate managers do according to Real Estate Management (2016)?

A
  • Conflict of Interest check
  • Written permission to act on their behalf
  • Confirm identity of client (Bribery, Corruption, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, 2019).
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6
Q

Professional Standard - Upon receiving management instruction, what should members do according to Real Estate Management (2016)?

A
  • Communicate with client, discuss requirements
  • Agree level of feedback and reporting
  • Agree Terms of Engagement (PMA)
    o Scope
    o Fees
    o Duration
    o Business terms
    o Exclusions
    o Jurisdiction details
  • Sign and date Terms of Engagement before providing to client
  • Give client opportunity to negotiate terms
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7
Q

Professional Standard - How would you instruct a sub agent under Real Estate Management (2016)?

A
  • Ensure client permission
  • Could be seen as breach without
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8
Q

Professional Standard - What are vulnerable customers in Real Estate Management (2016)

A
  • Customer with specific needs
  • Must not discriminate
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9
Q

Guidance Note - What is Commercial Property Management in England & Wales, 2011

A
  • Best practice for commercial property managers containing a lot of useful information.
  • Provides specific advice on property manager core duties, including rent collection, service charges, managing buildings, H&S, and procurement of third-party suppliers.
  • It also contains a useful summary of all relevant statute law and a model term of engagement.
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10
Q

Guidance Note - What is the structure of Commercial Property Management (2011)?

A
  • Introduction
  • Purpose
  • Overview
  • Property manager core duties
  • Additional responsibilities
  • Employees and employment law
  • Specialist issues
  • Appendix A – Legislation
  • Appendix B – Property management contract
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11
Q

Legislation - Name all key legislation relevant to property management under Commercial Property Management (2011)

A

Landlord and Tenant Act 1995
Abolishment of privity of contract for assignments

Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
security of tenure

Landlord and Tenant Act 1988
Applies where tenancy includes a covenant that a occupier cannot assign, sublet etc without consent
Landlord must either give consent or give written notice not to consent

Energy Performance of Building Regulations 2012
Landlord must present an occupier with valid EPC certificate
EPC must be compliant and valid

Construction Design Management Regulations 2015
Appointment must ensure competency

Fire Safety Order 2005
Responsible person (person in control of premise) must take fire precautions
Fire Risk Assessments

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Obligation on duty holder to carry out sufficient assessments

The Defective Premises Act 1972
Duty of care on landlord to prevent injury on premises by ensuring proper maintenance

Transfer of Undertaking Employment Regulations (TUPE)
Protect employees during transfer of any business, including a service charge provision change
Applies when change in service provision e.g. if new cleaning contract is adopted, employees of previous contractor may be transferred.
E.g. intu shopping centres!

Data Protection Act 2018
Regulates processing of information relating to individuals
Personal dats must not be processed by data controller unless an entry is made on register
Register maintained by information commissioner

Equality Act 2010
Have regard to socio-economic inequalities, discrimination, victimisation
Relates also to supply of services.

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12
Q

Alienation - What is the difference between Assignment and Sub-letting

A

Assignment - Contractual relationship between assignee and landlord (privity of contract)

Subletting – Contractual relationship between former tenant and landlord

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13
Q

Alienation - What is assignment?

A
  • Lease transferred to another tenant (3rd party)
  • Landlord will not want assignment to weaker covenant.
  • Pre 1995, the assigning tenant remained liable for assigning tenant
  • Post 1995, the Act abolished privity of contract, releasing tenant from liability of assignee’s performance.
  • The 1995 Act allows an AGA to be put in place, where the outgoing tenant guarantees the lease obligations of the new tenant (immediate assignee).
  • AGA only lasts until assignee assigns the lease to another party.
  • The landlord can request reasonable conditions on assignments, such as financial checks. If conditions not met, the landlord can reasonably refuse assignment.
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14
Q

Alienation - What is subletting?

A
  • Sublease granted from original tenant to sub-tenant
  • Original Landlord-tenant relationship remains intact
  • Contractual chain remains between landlord and tenant.
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15
Q

Alienation - How quickly would you respond to application to sublet?

A
  • Under 1988 Act Have to deal with application promptly
  • Reasonable timescale
  • Typically 7 days
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16
Q

Alienation - What does the 1995 Covenants Act do?

A
  • Abolition of privity of contract
  • Authorised Guarantee Agreement (AGA)
  • Reasonable conditions for assignment
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17
Q

Alienation - What is Alienation?

A

Ability to sub-let or assign a lease

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18
Q

Alienation - Who pays rent after a lease is sublet?

A

Subtenant pays, former tenant, who pays landlord

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19
Q

Alienation - Who pays rent after a lease is assigned?

A

Assignee pays Landlord rent

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20
Q

Alienation - What types of alienation clauses can leases have?

A

Open, qualified, absolute

  • open allows alienation
  • qualified subject to Landlord consent
  • absolute now allowed.
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21
Q

Alienation - What is the typical clause relating to alienation regarding consent?

A

Landlord consent is not to be unreasonably witheld or delayed

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22
Q

Alienation - Why would you chose to sub-let over assign a lease?

A
  • requirement of lease
  • part of demise and not whole
  • if Market Rent = Higher than Passing Rent = Profit Rent
  • If tenant wants to re-occupy in future
  • the new party is of lessor covenant strength
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23
Q

Alienation - How would you deal with an application to assign or sublet?

A
  • Read the lease
  • Undertaking for legal costs from tenant
  • Is proposed rent the market rent or passing rent
  • Impact on investment value of property
  • Is alienation permitted? on what grounds?
  • strength of covenant of new tenant?
  • request accounts of incoming tenant
  • rent deposit / AGA agreed?
  • Provide client with written recomendation
  • if consent granted, assignment or subletting will be granted
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24
Q

Alienation - What is the difference between an Authorised Guarantee Agreement (AGA) and privity of contract?

A
  • Privity of Contract (pre-1995 Act) – binds original tenant for whole lease duration
  • AGA (post-1995 Act) – binds original tenant to period assignee occupies.
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25
Q

Alienation - How long does an AGA remain in place?

A
  • As long as the new tenant (assignee) remains in place
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26
Q

Alienation - How is an assignment documented?

A

The assignor and assignee enter into a Deed of Assignment, a legal document transferring all rights, obligations, and liabilities of the lease from the assignor to the assignee.

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27
Q

Alienation - What are the reasonable grounds for refusing consent for assignment?

A
  • Lower covenant strength
  • Different use
  • Planning?
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28
Q

Alienation - How is a sublease documented?

A

The head tenant and subtenant enter into a Sublease Agreement, outlining the terms, duration, and rent payable. This agreement must comply with the terms of the original lease.

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29
Q

Alienation - What is a profit rent?

A
  • when subletting a premise
  • profit rent is gained by the original tenant
  • difference between rent paid to landlord, and rent received from subtenant
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30
Q

Alienation - What is the difference between a lease and a licence?

A

A lease grants exclusive possession and a legal interest in the property for a fixed term, offering security of tenure and statutory protections.

In contrast, a license provides only permission to occupy without exclusive possession or legal interest, is flexible, and offers no statutory protections or security.

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31
Q

Alienation - What is exclusive posession?

A

Exclusive possession is the legal right of a tenant or occupier to have control over a property, allowing them to exclude others, including the landlord, from the premises. It is a key characteristic of a lease. Exclusive possession indicates that the tenant has control over who can enter or use the property during the term of the lease, and it distinguishes a lease from a license.

In contrast, with a license, the occupier does not have exclusive possession, meaning the licensor (landlord or owner) retains the right to enter and use the property as they see fit. Exclusive possession is often critical in determining whether an agreement is a lease or a license.

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32
Q

Alienation - What is privity of contract?

A

When a lease is created between a landlord and tenant, privity of contract exists between them, meaning both are bound by the terms of the lease (e.g., rent payments, repairs, etc.).

When a tenant assigns a lease to a new tenant (assignee), the privity of contract between the original tenant and landlord is typically broken. However, if an Authorised Guarantee Agreement (AGA) is in place, the original tenant can remain liable for the assignee’s obligations, despite the assignment.

Subletting does not affect privity of contract between the landlord and tenant. The tenant (sublessor) remains in privity of contract with the landlord, and a separate sublease is created between the sublessor and the subtenant.

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33
Q

Alienation - What is privity of estate?

A

Privity of estate refers to the legal relationship that exists between parties who have a direct interest in the same piece of property. e.g. typically between owner of land (landlord) and renter of land (tenant)

In the context of leases:
Privity of estate exists between a landlord and the current tenant in possession of the property, regardless of whether they are the original tenant or an assignee. This means that the parties are bound by the covenants that “touch and concern” the land, such as paying rent, maintaining the property, or repairing obligations, as these covenants relate directly to the use of the property.

When a lease is assigned to a new tenant, privity of estate between the landlord and the original tenant ends, and it transfers to the new tenant (assignee). The landlord and assignee now have privity of estate, meaning they are both bound by covenants related to the land.

However, privity of estate does not exist between a landlord and a subtenant. In subletting, the privity of estate remains between the landlord and the head tenant, while the subtenant is in privity of estate only with the head tenant.

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34
Q

Alienation - What are landlord remedies for illegal alienation?

A

forfeiture
damages
injunction

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35
Q

Alienation - What is the Landlord and Tenant Act 1995 (Covenants Act)

A
  • relates to assignment of lease
  • came into force on 1st January 1996 (‘called the new lease’)
  • abolished privity of contract between original tenant and landlord after assignment of lease
  • introduced AGA ‘authorised guarentee agreement’ in-place
  • most recent former tenant only to guarentee performance of assignee
  • voluntary arrangement
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36
Q

Alienation - How do you pursue arrears from an AGA?

A
  • if lease has been assigned and AGA in place
  • serve Section 17 (1995 Covenants Act) Notice upon guarantor within 6 months of tenant defaulting to require former tenant to pay arrears
  • can only be 1 AGA in place at a time
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37
Q

Alienation - What does th Code for Leasing Business Premises (2020) say about assignments?

A
  • although commonplace, tenants should not enter AGA if assignee is of stronger covenant, pays a rent deposit, and or a suitable guarantor
  • leases should allow tenants to assign whole premise with landlord consent, which is not be be unreasonably witheld or delayed
  • requirement for AGA should clearly be stated in lease
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38
Q

Alienation - What does th Code for Leasing Business Premises (2020) say about subletting?

A
  • leases should allow subletting of whole premises and may allow subleases of part
  • rent not less than market rent
  • subleases should be on terms consistent with tenants own leases
  • no security of tenure
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39
Q

Alterations - What are alterations?

A
  • carried out by tenant during lease
  • must be approved in writing subject to lease terms
  • usually subject to reinstatement at end of lease
  • some works such as demountable partioning may not require consent (always RtL)
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40
Q

Alterations - What is a Licence for Alterations?

A
  • completed before works commence
  • Obtain an undertaking of costs at commencement of instruction
  • 2 useful functions: protect parties at rent revieew and dilapidations at end of lease
  • most licences require tenant to reinstate at end of lease
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41
Q

Alterations - What guidance relates to alterations?

A

RICS Guidance Note on Licece for Alterations (2013)
Now arcived??? what does that mean

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42
Q

Alterations - How would you deal with an application for consent for alterations?

A
  • read the lease
  • Real Estate Management (2016) respond within 5-days best practice
  • landlord approval?
  • ask for full set of plans and specification
  • obtain undertaking of fees
  • reinstatement required?
  • financial bond required?
  • planning consent and building regulations approval?
  • Equality Act 2010 / CDM 2015 compliance?
  • RAMS - risk assessment and method statement
  • public liability insurance in-place?
  • provide report to client and obtain instructions
  • instruct client lawyer to prepare LTA
  • inspect work to ensure they are as agreed
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43
Q

Alterations - If a lease prohibts improvements, what can tenants do?

A

Landlord and Tenant Act 1927
Section 19 Notice

  • if lease prohibits improvements, 1927 act contain provisio that such works cannot be unreasonably witheld
  • if Section 19 followed, Landlord may have to pay compensation for alterations that may constitute as improvements
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44
Q

Dilapidations - How do you deal with dilapidations?

A
  • read the lease
  • check lease terms to define repairing obligations
  • check if any LTA was granted
  • tenant typically required to return building to original state
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45
Q

Dilapidations - What are the tenants choices when it comes to dilapidations?

A
  • undertake works themselves, or
  • tenant pay settlement to landlord

breach + loss + evidence = recovery

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46
Q

Dilapidation - 3 forms of schedules?

A

Interim - served with at least 3 years remaining
Terminal - last 3 years of lease
Final - at or after lease expiry

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47
Q

Dilapidation - What is the format of a dilapidation schedule?

A
  • outline repair obligations
  • state the remedy and cost of breach
  • loss of rent, if appropriate, over period to do the works
  • Fees + VAT for claim for surveyors/lawyers
  • Negotiations conducted without prejudice until settlement reached
  • if agreement not reached, surveyor must prepare a Scott schedule for the Court/ADR, setting out a summary of the landlirds/tenants position
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48
Q

Dilapidations - What guidance is there on dilapidations?

A

RICS Guidance Note on Dilapidation (2016)

  • aims to reduce claims between landlords and tenants
  • guidance on diminuation valuations
  • interim and final claims guidance
  • requires both parties to agree to timescales
  • parties expect to make genuine endeavours to settle
  • quantified demand is the complete statement of costs sought in damages
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49
Q

Dilapidations - What is a Section 18 Valuation (1927 Act)

A

Section 18 valuation (Landlord & Tenant Act 1927)

→ Limiting or defining the amount of damages that a landlord is able to recover for a breach of the tenants repairing covenant

  1. Intention to Redevelop:
  2. Dimunation in value e.g. if repairs are £100,000, but the property value has only reduced by £50,000. Tenant is only liable for £50,000
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50
Q

Dilapidations - What are reasons settlement is not agreed?

A
  • lease not on FRI
  • reinstatement not required
  • schedule of condition limits repairing liability
  • if building is to be demolished
  • use of diminution in value cap
  • tenant in adminstration
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51
Q

Insurance - Who is responsible for insurance?

A

Typically landlord to arrange and re-charge tenant

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52
Q

Insurance - What types of insurance typically required?

A

building insurance, public liability insurance, and professional indemnity insuranc
+ VAT

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53
Q

Insurance - what measurement is used for building reinstatement valuation

A

GIA

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54
Q

Insurance - What law relates to insurance?

A

Insurance Act 2016

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55
Q

Insurance - What is insurance premium tax?

A

tax levied on premiums?

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56
Q

Insurance - How do you deal with insurance?

A

RICS members must comply with relevant regulations such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK if they are involved in selling or recommending insurance products beyond property-related advisory.

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57
Q

Empty Buildings - What would you do if a building was empty?

A
  • inform insurers
  • vacant property inspections
  • H&S and FRA risk assessment
  • Seal letterbox to stop fly-tipping
  • Planned maintenance programme
  • Frost controls
  • Boiler maintenance
  • Maintain asbestos register
  • Emergency light testing
  • fire alarm testing

if squatters - inform bailiffs/police

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58
Q

Rent Collection - What are the fundamental principles of rent collection?

A
  • accuracy
  • timing
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59
Q

Rent Collection - When is rent paid?

A

Typically quarter days but read the lease

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60
Q

Rent Collection - When are Quarter days

A

25 March
24 June
29 September
25 December

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61
Q

Rent Collection - When do you charge interest on late payments

A

Typically state in lease timframe and interest due

typically say 2-4% above base rate of bank

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62
Q

Rent Collection - Do you charge VAT on rent?

A
  • read the lease
  • is property VAT elected
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63
Q

Rent Collection - Do you charge VAT on service charge?

A
  • yes but read the lease
  • is property VAT elected?
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64
Q

Rent Collection - What method do you use to collect rent?

A
  • direct debit - receipt sets up
  • standing order - the payer sets up
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65
Q

Rent Collection - What system do you have in place to ensure rent is only demanded where necessary

A

Monthly demand reports, check demand and authorise

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66
Q

Rent Collection - What happens if you accept rent from tenant whos lease is outside 1954 Act?

A

Could create new protected tenancy, security of tenure

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67
Q

Rent Arrears - What are warning signs of potential rent arrears?

A
  • bounced cheques
  • persistent late payments
  • arrival of post-dated cheques
68
Q

Rent Arrears - Talk me through how you would deal with a tenant in arrears?

A
  • Read the lease to familiarise myself with tenants’ obligations, and any grace period.
  • Arrange meeting with tenant (on-site if possible) to understand reasons for non-payment. Guage how well tenant is trading! Important to advise client on this.
  • Speak to client and discuss reasons.
69
Q

Rent Arrears - What do you do if a tenant becomes insolvent?

A
  • Read the lease
  • Check rent deposit
  • Guarantors to pursue
  • Contact administrators, submit claim for arrears (proof of debt form)
  • Secure property
  • Inform insurers
  • Cannot take keys unless its for H&S purposes, confirmed in writing.
70
Q

Rent Arrears - How would you check if there was a rent deposit?

A
  • read the lease
  • check rent deposit deed
  • seperate rent deposit account with their name on it

rent deposits typically require tenant to top up after drawig down

71
Q

Rent Arrears - How should rent demands be submitted?

A
  • In-line with lease
  • Timely manner
  • Relevant taxation

??

72
Q

Rent Arrears - What would you do to recover arrears if tenant wasnt trading?

A
  • not serve CRAR
  • visit site to confirm
  • engage with tenant
  • advise client
  • potentially forfeit lease
73
Q

Rent Arrears - When can you charge interest?

A

Read the lease
Typically 7-14 days after rent payment date 2-4% above Bank Base Rate

74
Q

Rent Arrears - how would you recover service charge arrears?

A

tenant meeting

check rent deposit deed

Letter before action

CCJ - Count Court Judgement - apply to County Court with proof of service charge debt. The judgement will lead to the tenant paying the sums due

75
Q

Rent Arrears - What are the remedies for rent default?

A
  1. Negotiate payment plan
  2. Rent deposit
  3. Pursue former tenants and AGA’s
  4. CRAR
  5. Letter before action
  6. Court Proceedings (CCJ)
  7. Statuatory Demand
  8. Forfeiture
76
Q

Rent Arrears - What would you do before recommended payment plan?

A
  • Consider tenants covenant strength before
  • Check tenant accounts (management and audited)
  • Audited accounts may be outdated (accounts submitted 9 months after year end).
  • Management accounts much clearer view on monthly/quarterly basis (need to be requested as not publicly available).
77
Q

Rent Arrears - When could you use a rent deposit?

A
  • Read the lease
  • Check Rent Deposit Deed
  • withdraw money owed to settle arrears
78
Q

Rent Arrears - How would you pursue former tenants / guarantors?

A
  • check to see if AGA in place
  • check if lease is dated pre-January 1996
  • Serve Section 17 Notice of Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995 to recover money from assignor within 6 months of rent default
79
Q

Rent Arrears -How would you check to see if there is a guarantor?

A
  • Check the lease
  • Side agreement maybe
  • Request from tenant
80
Q

Rent Arrears - How would you serve a Statuatory Demand?

A
  • first step in commencing bankruptcy for individuals or winding-up proceedings for companies
  • put pressure on tenant to pay arrears
  • advisable only when no dispute regarding amount of arrears
  • statuatory demand is served
  • tenant has 21 days to pay arrears
  • after this period, if not paid, the landlord can present bankruptcy or winding-up petition to the court
  • Over £750 for companies
  • Over £5,000 for individuals
81
Q

Rent Arrears - How would you commence Court Proceedings (CCJ)?

A
  • send letter before action
  • typically provides 14 days to settle debt
  • no response then submit online claim form (name, adress, debt owed, date etc)
  • once filed, county court will issue claim to debtor
  • tenant has 14 days to dispute or pay
  • if tenant does not pay, the court will issue a CCJ to tenant, requiring payment.
  • if still no payment, can send baillifs or obtain a charging order against the property.
  • ## slow process and costly
  • useful if tenant is still solvent
  • even when court judgement is achieved, landlords often have to take legal steps to enforce judgement
82
Q

Rent Arrears - How would you commence CRAR?

A
  • no minimum amount of arrears
  • can be used for rent demand + VAT and interest payable, not service charge
  • commercial only
  • minimum 7 days unpaid rent
  • appoint enforcement agent to serve Notice of Enforcement
  • minimum 7 days clear days warning notice
  • enforcement agent visits
  • re-entry by enforcement agent to seize goods
  • allow 7 clear days before salee of goods. Goods must be valued
  • fees must be specified on the entry notice

Can request court order to shorten 7 day response period if attempted CRAR before and Tenant locks store

83
Q

Rent Arrears - What is the enforcement agent permitted to seize?

A
  • Stock, unless essential for business operation
  • Have to belong to tenant (cannot be financed, e.g. car on Hire Purchase)
84
Q

Rent Arrears - How would you commence Lease Forfeiture for rent arrears?

A
  • Bring to clients attention
  • Review lease
  • Look at grace periods (typically 7-21 days)
  • Make sure not to waive rights (doctrine of waiver)
  • Must contain forfeiture clause – allows landlord to enter premise
    Either:
    peaceable re-entry or,
    court proceedings (submit claim to court) - court issue posession order
  • Consider if tenant applies for relief (usually available if tenant applies promptly and pays arrears) – generally expected to apply within 6 months
  • Relief = reinstatement of lease if pays
  • Court decides whether to grant possession
85
Q

Rent Arrears - What is tenant relief from forfeiture?

A
  • Tenant can apply to court for relief
  • If granted, lease will be re-instated
  • For non-payment of rent apply for relief up until point of possession order
  • This allows tenant to pay arrears to reinstate the lease
  • For other breaches: within 6 months of forfeiture
86
Q

Rent Arrears - How would you pursue a subtenant for arrears to the head tenant?

A

Section 6 of Law of Distraint Act, 1908

  • if headtenant defaults, LL can pursue subtenant for arrears
  • allows landlord to service notice to subtenant to ensure any arrears due from tenant can be received by superior landlord
87
Q

Rent Arrears - How would you pursue an AGA for arrears?

A

Section 17 of Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995

  • serve s.17 notice on any former tenant and guarantors within 6 months of the start of arrears
88
Q

Rent Arrears - If there is a guarantor on lease, and permitted to pursue, and arrears are paid off, what does it entitle that guarantor to do?

A

Right to take overriding lease of that property

89
Q

Restructuring Leases - What is lease engineering / regearing?

A
  • grantinga longer lease in return for a lower rent / rent free period
  • Agreeing to a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) or pre-pack administration with a tenant
  • Agree to monthly payment of rent
  • Insertion or removal of break clauses sibject to the payment of premium

done to retain value / tenants

90
Q

Repairs - what is the definition of repair?

A

Ravenseft Properties v Davstone Holdings 1978
- liability cannot arise in absence of repair
- repair is distinct from renewal - a tenant cannot be expected to hand back a wholly different premise
- Tenants may be responsible for inherent defects
- Repair is not an improvement
- An effective FRI lease is when the landlord is responsible for repairs and recharge via service charge

91
Q

Repairs - How did removing a kitchen constitute as structural? (Licence to Alter, Hinckley)

A

As the tenant plans included the part-removal of a load-bearing wall

92
Q

Repairs - What did the lease say about structural alterations? (Licence to Alter, Hinckley)

A

There was a qualified covenant, meaning landlord consent was required but was not to be unreasonably witheld or delayed.

This was to protect the structural nature of the premise.

93
Q

Repairs - Why did you advise the client to remove the kitchen? (Licence to Alter, Hinckley)

A
  • The configuration of the unit was compromised by the kitchens poor layout, removing the kitchen inherently increased the usable space and therefore, marketability
  • There was a communal kitchen provided already.
  • The client wanted to retain the tenant relationship.
  • A schedule of condition was provided, should the client want the tenant to reinstate the premise.
94
Q

Repairs - Why did you appoint a building surveyor and structural engineer? (Licence to Alter, Hinckley)

A
  • The structural engineer was needed to create a structural integrity report, following the removal of a load-bearing wall
  • The building surveyor was necessary to ensure the works carried out were CDM 2015 compliance.
95
Q

Repairs - What is a RAMS? (Licence to Alter, Hinckley)

A
  • Risk Assessment and Method Statement
  • Identify risks and circumvent them
  • Help guide works in-line with Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

typically authorised by FM with appropriate H&S qualifications such as NEBOSH / IOSH

96
Q

Repairs - What is CDM 2015? (Licence to Alter, Hinckley)

A
  • Construction and Design Management Regulations (2015)
  • Ensure health and safety risks are properly managed during construction phase
    o Principle Designer – appointed by client
    o Principle Contractor – appointed by client
    o Designer
    o Contractor
    o Workers
97
Q

Repairs - What is Public Liability Insurance? (Licence to Alter, Hinckley)

A
  • Insurance for injuries or property damage suffered by 3rd parties, e.g. visitors
  • e.g. visitor slips or neighbouring tenant property is damaged.
  • Not a legal requirement but recommended by RICS
98
Q

Repairs - What type of repair obligations are found in leases?

A
  • FRI – fully repairing and insuring (internal and external repairs)
  • IRI – internal repairing and insuring (internal repairs)

Effective FRI?

99
Q

Repairs - What remedies are available for a breach of repairs?

A
  • Serve repair notice
  • Forfeit lease (s.146)
  • Interim schedule of dilapidations
  • Do works and re-charge tenant (Jervis v Harris)
100
Q

Repairs - Talk me through serving a repair notice?

A
  • A notice to repair served under Section 146 of the Law of Property Act 1925 may be served by landlord during the lease, subject to terms of the repair works required by the lease
  • usually served to remedy one specific issue
  • notice must be in writing
  • must include details of breach
  • must include timescales allowed to remedy
  • must include course of action should fail to remedy breach
101
Q

Repairs - Talk me through serving a forfeiture notice?

A
  • must be a forfeiture clause in lease
  • have to serve section 146 notice
  • should state why tenant is in breach and outline what must be done to remedy breach
  • must allow tenant reasonable timeframe to remedy
102
Q

Repairs - What does a Section 146 Notice include?

A
  • Details of breach
  • Demand tenant must remedy breach
  • Tenant must be given reasonable time to remedy
  • Specify time frame
  • Peaceable re-entry not appropriate other than rent
103
Q

Repairs - Talk me through serving an interim schedule of dilapidations?

A
  • instruct a building surveyor to prepare a draft or formal schedule to serve upon tenant
104
Q

Repairs - Talk me through how the landlord could undertake the works themself?

A
  • leading case is Jervis v Harris (1996)
  • landlord can undertake works and re-charge the tenant
  • landlord must be re-imbursed for works
  • ensure premises are kepy in state of good repair

Jervis v Harris clause should be used when:
- tenant is solvent
- landlord wants lease and rent to continue
- landlord wants to retain control and carry out repair works
- the threat of entry may compel the tenant to do the works

105
Q

Repairs - What is the Repairs Act 1938?

A
  • this act applies to leases granted for 7 years or more, and at least 3 years until lease expiry
  • aims to protect tenants against onerous interim schedules of dilapidations
  • the act requires landlord to serve a s.146 notice on the tenant
  • the court is only to permit enforcement of repairing covenant if landlord can prove one of following:
    1. immediate remedy is necessary to prevent substantial diminution in property’s reversion value
    2. Immediate remedy is neccesary to comply with current legislation
    3.If tenant does not occupy whole premise, immediate remedy is required in interest of other occupier
    4. the breach is capable of immediate remedy at a relatively small cost
106
Q

Planned Maintenance Programme - What type of planned maintenance programmes are there?

A

Cyclical - regular repair works carried out irrespective of condition e.g. redecoration

Prevantative - depedant on condition survey, forecast future repair needs e.g. replacement of double glazing

Responsive - intated by building occupier typically e.g. repairing leak

107
Q

Schedules of Condition - What are schedules of condition?

A
  • agreed prior to commencement of lease
  • limit tenant repairing obligations in respect of agreed items of disrepair for the duration of the lease
  • reinstatement limited to terms of schedule of condition
  • must include photographs and plans
108
Q

Service Charge - Talk me through the typical arrangements of a service charge?

A
  • SC Budget issued at least 1 month prior to SC year commencement, agreed with tenant
  • Quarter Billings typically
  • Service Charge reconciliation occur annually
  • Annual Statement issued within at least 4 months after SC year end
  • balancing payment at end of year upon presentation of audited accounts
  • use of sweeping up clause for unexpected costs
  • service charge caps are increasingly common
  • payments usually reserved as rent in the lease
109
Q

Service Charge - Where are service charge monies held?

A
  • Separate service charge account
110
Q

Service Charge - When reviewing the service charge budget, what clauses did you pay attention to?

A
  • Any service charge caps, or
  • Service charge caps related to RPI-linked increases, or
  • Any omitting clauses
111
Q

Service Charge - What is the audited expenditure?

A
  • Reviewed service charge expenditure for previous year
112
Q

Service Charge - What budget variations did you note for Salisbury? (Service Charge Budget, Salisbury)

A
  • Reactive works
  • Utilities
  • Additional cleaning
113
Q

Service Charge - How did you apportion the costs? (Service Charge Budget, Salisbury)

A

Sq Ft Basis (Percentage)
In accordance with Service Charges in Commercial Property (2018)

114
Q

Service Charge - What was the budget for the centre? How much did it increase by? (Service Charge Budget, Salisbury)

A
  • £350,000 - £4.50 psf
  • (increased by £20,000)
115
Q

Service Charge - How do you calculate property management fee and service charge fees?

A
  • Fixed fee relating to the work that goes into the management (person hours taken)
  • Typically use timesheets to estimate work
116
Q

Service Charge - Why shouldn’t you use % of service charge expenditure fee for service charge management fee?

A
  • Because the property manager would be incentivised to increase the budget.
  • Fixed price basis!! Subject to annual review / indexation.
  • However, leases always override!
117
Q

Service Charge - Should you include caps in the budget pack?

A
  • No, I would not disclose private tenant information
118
Q

Service Charge - What service charge provisions are in leases?

A
  • Caps on service charge contributions
  • RPI linked service charge cap
119
Q

Service Charge - What guidance is there on Service Charges?

A

Service Charges in Commercial Property (2018) - Professional Statement

120
Q

Service Charge - What are the principles of Service Charges in Commercial Property (2018)

A

9 principles:

All expenditure that the owner and manager seek must be inaccordance with the terms of the lease

Owners and managers MUST ensure that service charge budget, including explanatory comments, are issued annually to all tenants

Owners and managers MUST ensure a SC apportionment matrix for their property is issued annually to all tenants

SC monies must be held in one or more discrete bank accounts

Must not recover more than 100% of proper and actual costs

121
Q

Service Charge - What are the aims of Service Charges in Commercial Property (2018)

A
  • improve genera standards
  • ensure timeline issue of budgets and year-end certificate
  • reduce disputes and provide guidance on resolution
122
Q

Service Charge - What are some limitations of the Service charges in commercial property (2018) Professional Standard?

A

Existing lease terms → cannot override lease (lease always prevails over Professional Standard)

Not Binding on Non-RICS Firms

123
Q

Service Charge - What do the appendices of theService charges in
commercial property (2018) Professional Standard provide?

A

A) Compliance checklist (e.g. apportionments, value for money (competative tender), management fees

B) Standard Industry Cost Classifications

C) SC sample report

D) SC handover procedures, including:

the reconciliation of any outstanding closed service charge years

the handover of any credit balance on the service charge account

the recovery of any shortfall or arrears, including specifically which party (buyer or seller)
can pursue the arrears and how and

the supply to the buyer or its managing agent of adequate records and information to provide continuity in the management and administration of the service charge arrangement for the current service charge year

124
Q

Service Charge - How does ADR relate to SC under the Service Charges in
Commercial Property (2018) Professional Standard

A

ADR is supported and recommended as the basis to resolve service charge disputes

Lease makes provision for ADR

ADR is proactively pursued

125
Q

Service Charge - Tell me about apportionment under Service charges in commercial property (2018) Professional Standard

A

Costs should be allocated to the relevant expenditure category. Where reasonable and appropriate, costs should be allocated to separate schedules and the costs apportioned to those who benefit from those services.

The basis and method of apportionment should be demonstrably fair and reasonable
to ensure that individual occupiers bear an appropriate proportion of the total service
charge expenditure that clearly reflects the availability, benefit and use of services.

126
Q

Service Charge - How do you classify costs when setting a service charge budget?

A

The Industry Standard Cost Classifications should be used in reporting budget and actual expenditure, in Appendix B

127
Q

Service Charge - Tell me about the right to challenge under Service charges in
commercial property (2018) Professional Standard

A

All new leases (including renewals) should make provision for either party to require the resolution of disagreements through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as a costeffective alternative to court action.

If the parties cannot agree a mediator, or an independent expert to determine the dispute, the President of RICS should (on request) nominate a suitable person.

Where leases do not allow for ADR, parties are reminded that there is nothing to stop them agreeing to use ADR to resolve a dispute.

128
Q

Service Charge - What steps do you take to ensure that service charge documents are distributed in accordance with the Service Charges in Commercial Property (2018) guidelines?

A

To comply with the Service Charges in Commercial Property (2018) guidelines, I ensure that tenant certificates and booklets are clear, transparent, and provided promptly.

I work with the client accountant to ensure the tenant certificates are accurate and contain a detailed breakdown of service charge expenditure.

I also ensure that the documents explain any variances from the budget.

These documents are distributed in a timely manner and made available for tenants to review within the recommended periods set out in the guidelines.

129
Q

Service Charge - How do you deal with tenant queries or disputes regarding the service charge reconciliation?

A

When a tenant raises a query or dispute regarding the service charge reconciliation, I first review the tenant’s concerns and revisit the relevant cost codes and supporting documentation.

I provide the tenant with a detailed breakdown of the disputed charge and explain how it was calculated.

If the tenant is still not satisfied, I may arrange a meeting to discuss the matter in person and, if necessary, escalate the issue to the landlord or seek independent advice, all while maintaining open communication with the tenant.

130
Q

Service Charge - What methods of service charge apportionment are there?

A
  1. Floora Area
  2. Fixed Percentage
  3. Rateable Value
  4. Weighted floor area (e.g. department store)
131
Q

Service Charge - How do you ensure openness and transparency when preparing service charge reconciliations?

A
  • Apportionment matrix
  • All policies are outlined in budget packs.
  • Detailed explanations are provided in year-end statements where the costs have materially varied from the budget.
  • The landlord bears the cost of all voids and concessions.
  • The manager’s fees relating to the property during the year are fully disclosed in the notes to the expenditure report
132
Q

Service Charge - How did you ensure invoices were appropriately cost coded?

A
  • Paid regard to Appendix B of Service Charges in Commercial Property (2018)
  • Ensured all cost codes were
133
Q

Service Charge - How would you handover a service charge?

A

Refer to RICS Information Paper on Commercial Property Handover Procedures (2015)

134
Q

Service Charge - Why do you benchmark a service charge?

A
  • ensures operational performance standards are checked against an industry-used index, to ensure best practice
  • Global Estate Measurement Code for Occupiers (MSCI)
135
Q

Service Charge - What are accruals?

A

Service charge accruals refer to the accounting practice of recognizing service charge expenses that have been incurred but not yet invoiced or paid by the end of a financial period. Accruals are typically recorded in the property’s service charge accounts to ensure that costs are properly matched with the period in which they were incurred, even if the actual payment or invoice happens later.

136
Q

Service Charge - What are prepayments?

A

Prepayments are amounts paid by tenants before the actual service or expense is incurred. E.g. paying service charge payments quarterly in advance.

137
Q

Service Charge - What queries did you respond to from the auditors? (Service Charge Rec, Birmingham)

A
  • Explanations for variances (roof leaks – external repairs and maintenance)
  • Support expenditure documentation
138
Q

Service Charge - Why were you over budget? (Service Charge Rec, Birmingham)

A
  • Unforeseen roof repairs required
  • Variance of £10k over budget
139
Q

Service Charge - What was included in the tenant certificate and tenant booklet?

A

Apportionment report, variance report and balancing charge/credit invoice/credit note

140
Q

Service Charge - When should service charge reconciliations be distributed?

A

No later than 4-months after service charge year end, in line with Service Charges in Commercial Property (2018)

141
Q

Sinking Funds / Reserve Funds - Can you explain the difference?

A

Sinking Fund: Planned, long-term projects or repairs (e.g., replacing a roof or lift).

Reserve Fund: Unplanned, immediate or short-term expenses (e.g., emergency repairs).

both accounted for in service charge budget

142
Q

Sinking Funds / Reserve Funds - What guidance is there?

A

RICS Information Paper - Sinking Funds and Reserve Funds (2014)

143
Q

User Clause - Type types of user clause

A

Planning Use
Specific Use

144
Q

User Clause - How would you change the use?

A

typically require landlord consent not to be unreasonably witheld
- restrictive user clause can depress market rent e.g. restriction on hours of working for offices

145
Q

Insolvency - What are the forms of insolvency?

A

Administration
Receivership
Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA)

146
Q

Insolvency - What is Adminstration?

A
  • administrator appointed by creditors (Enterprise Act 2002) to rescuse insolvent company
  • most common rescue route
  • processed commenced by company, lendors or creditors
  • purpose is to provide a period of protection whilst administrator attempts to rescue company
  • protection is called moratorium - restricts actions to be taken
  • administrators must send proposals to creditors within 8 weeks and with their agreement, will implement a strategy. Most commonly:
    1. pre-pack businesss sale
    2. administration trading
    3. close down and wind up
  • while a tenant is in administration the options to landlord are limited due to the moratorium.
  • if rent is still being paid, an equivalent amoutnt can be claimed from the administrator
  • the administrator may seek landlord consent to assign the lease.
  • Severity: Moderate to High
  • Company is insolvent, but administrator aims to rescue company
  • Aims to achieve better returns for creditors than liquidation
  • Provide protections from creditors
147
Q

Insolvency - What is Receivership?

A

The Receiver takes control of the company and realise its asets, often by selling the business as a going concern with a view to repaying the lender

  • Severity: High
  • A secured creditor appoints a receiver to recover debts
  • Focus on paying creditor rather than saving company
  • Doesn’t necessarily lead to full liquidation
148
Q

Insolvency - What is a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA)?

A
  • contract between a company and its creditors appropriate for when a company is insolvent, but the directors beleive it has a viable future, with financal restructuring
  • the arrangement will be binding on all creditors if it is approved by at least 75% of the creditors having regard to their value of debt
  • Severity: Moderate
  • Company continues trading while repaying debt by agreement to creditors
  • Company is insolvent but has chance to recover over time
  • Technically like a payment plan
149
Q

Insolvency - What is pre-pack administration?

A
  • allows directors of a company to buy out and retain elements of the business which are trading well and placing the remainder of the company into administration
150
Q

Insolvency - What to do if a tenant becomes insolvent?

A
  • tell your client
  • consider taking legal action before a moratorium is in place
  • read the lease, check rent deposit/guarantor’s
  • make early contact with administrator/receiver
  • inform insurers
  • submit a claim of arrears (proof of debt)
  • consider schedule of dilapidations
151
Q

ADR - What is ADR and what are the different forms?

A

Mediation
Conciliation
Arbitration
Expert Determination

152
Q

ADR - What is Mediation?

A

 Parties wanting to negotiate settlement of issue
 Instruct mediator to engage in meaningful dialogue
 If cannot agree on mediator, RICS can appoint
 Cost effective and flexible

153
Q

ADR - What is Conciliation?

A

 Very similar to mediation but conciliator plays more active role in suggesting solutions

154
Q

ADR - What is Arbitration?

A

 Parties agree to appoint arbitrator
 Expert in field
 Parties put forward case, arbitrator decides on best case
 Arbitrator’s decision (award) is legally binding and final

155
Q

ADR - What is Expert Determination?

A

 Used when the issue is a technical issue not legal
 Decision can be binding or non-binding
 Expert doesn’t have to refer back to parties before making decision, making it quicker and more cost effective

156
Q

CHP - How would you deal with disputes between occupiers?

A
  • Written policies in place for handling disputes between occupiers
  • Procedures adopted should be made available and their existence made known, including response times.
  • Tenants have right of quiet enjoyment
  • Enforce conditions of occupancy if under your remit
  • If not under your control, advise tenant to speak to local authority
157
Q

CHP - How would you deal with a complaint about you?

A

Complaint Handling Procedure (CHP) – Complaints Handling (2016) Guidance Note
Refer complainant to form Complaints Handling Procedure (CHP)
CHP should be in writing, and should explain how to complain to your company
Whenever Terms of Engagement issued, complaints should be made clear (CHP)!

  • Stage 1:
    Complaint made to Director
    Acknowledging Complaint
    Formal complaint to be made in writing
    Acknowledge within 7-working days
    Investigating Complaint
    Provide formal response within 28 days
  • Stage 2:
    If unable to resolve complaint, opportunity to take complaint to independent redress providers, approved by RICS Board (RICS Dispute Resolution Service).
  • Keep records of complaints
158
Q

AML - How do you safeguard money against money laundering?

A

Countering Bribery, Corruption, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (2019)
Money Laundering: concealing origin of proceeds of crime by cleaning money

Key provisions
 Requirements to have an AML and financial risk assessment
 Maintain internal procedures to identify and prevent laundering
 Providing staff training
 Comply with new customer, enhance and simplified DD requirements
 Comply with PEP requirements
 Record keeping, policies and procedures – keep for 5 years
 AML checks for source of wealth before exchange
 Additional high-risk factors for enhanced due diligence
 Report strange transactions to serious organised crime agency (SOCA).

159
Q

AML - What AML checks are there?

A

Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
 Identify client and identity
 Identify beneficial owners
 Company name, numbers, address
 Name of directors
 Details of business relationships

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)
 High risk country / PEP
 PEP is higher risk to corruption
 More detailed on source of wealth
 More detail on why?

Simplified Due Diligence (SDD)
 Transaction where there is a low risk of money laundering or terrorist financing
 Not appropriate for checking parties to a property transaction

160
Q

AML - What are AML Red Flags?

A
  • Inability to provide documents
  • Change to involved parties
  • Unusual features e.g. urgency or loss making
  • Unusual currency
161
Q

AML - What are the penalties for money laundering or failing to prevent it?

A
  • Serious Money Laundering:
    14 years imprisonment / unlimited fine
    Breaching Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  • Tipping off
    Involves informing induvial / organisation that they are under investigation or Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) has been filed against them.
    Tipping-off compromises an AML investigation, and under POCA, this can lead to:
    5 years / unlimited fine
162
Q

Tendering - How often would you re-tender service charge contracts?

A
  • recomended every 3/5 years
  • if deemed no longer competative
  • subject to contract terms
163
Q

Utilities - Talk me through how utilities are paid for?

A

?

164
Q

Service Charge Reconciliation, Birmingham - How much over budget were you? What was the budget? What was the service charge psf?

A

£7,000 over budget

£53,000 budget

£7.14

165
Q

Service Charge Reconciliation, Birmingham - How many schedules were there?

A

2 schedules

Whole building
2nd Floor (added utilities for common areas)

166
Q
A

APC ASSESSMENT (23 decks)

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