What is block management?

Block management (or leasehold management) is exactly as it sounds.

Block management is when an external company is appointed to manage and maintain the communal areas and grounds of a block of residential flats. This can also involve the management of an estate of private houses (rather than flats), although that is sometimes known as “estate management”.

What does a block management agent do?

A block managing agent is appointed to deal with all day-to-day management and running of a block of flats or a shared estate, which would include the collection of service charge (and in some cases, ground rent), from the individual leaseholders (or freehold owners, in the case of an estate).

The service charge is collected to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the development. Read more about how to lower your service charge. 

The decision as to which managing agent to appoint, will lie with either the freeholder, an RMC (residents management company) or an RTM (right to manage company), depending on the set up of the building.

Essentially, the duty of a block manager is to make the residents lives easier!

The manager should ensure the block (or estate) is maintained to a high standard and remains compliant with current legislation.

This should include, but not be limited to:

• The collection of service charges, and on some occasions ground rent;
• Ensuring the building is adequately insured;
• Setting service charge budgets which means predicting what it is likely to cost to run the estate or block for a 12-month period;
• Instructing regular fire safety and health and safety assessments and keeping the building or estate compliant;
• Dealing with emergency and day to day repairs and maintenance;
• Holding annual general meetings (AGM’s) with all owners;
• Dealing with sales packs and solicitor enquiries;
• Ensuring contracts are in place for all regular services, such as grounds maintenance, communal area cleaning, window cleaning and so on and overseeing their work.

The block manager will also be the main point of contact for any owner wishing to report an issue with management or maintenance and should be able provide an excellent level of knowledge about the building or estate and a high-level of customer service.

Block management vs property management

There is often confusion between ‘block management’ and ‘property management’, as both terms are frequently used, often interchangeably.

The term, property management, is usually used to refer to the management of the internal parts of an individual flat or house and tends to be a service that an Estate Agent or lettings agent would offer to landlord clients.

Block management is a service offered to owners (rather than tenants) and is primarily concerned with looking after the shared communal areas of a block of flats or an estate, and, should be provided by a specialist block management company. Find out why Mandeville can be your perfect block management partner. 

Costs and benefits of block management

Block management companies are paid a ‘management fee’ in return for their service and this is usually collected as part of the annual service charge and will be set out on the service charge budget.

The cost can vary depending on the number of units being looked after, the complexity of the development and work involved (for example, if there is a concierge to manage, electrical gates, lifts, and so on) and the level of service the client requires.

Why choose Mandeville for block management?

Here at Mandeville, we pride ourselves on offering the highest level of service to all the developments we manage, which means all calls and emails are responded to within 48 hours and most small maintenance jobs actioned within 3-5 days.

We are proud of all the developments we manage and our portfolio covers everything from Grade II listed London buildings to new build blocks of flats and mixed-use developments.

Transforming run-down properties: A highlight of our portfolio

One of our highlights of the year to date, is that we have very recently transformed, what was once a slightly run-down (albeit beautiful) Victorian property in London from being a target of graffiti and vandalism and restored it to its original beauty, by carrying out a full internal and external make-over, improving the security measures and implementing new systems.

Not only has this greatly improved the aesthetic of the building, but it has also reduced the crime rate dramatically, allowing the residents to feel safe in their homes again and appreciate the building in which they live in.

If you would like to speak to us about how we can help improve the management of your development, please contact us today for a free no-obligation chat.