The subject of standards among managing agents of leasehold blocks of flats has been discussed in the Lords.
Baroness Gardner asked whether the Government would be introducing regulations or a code.
Lord Best, who chairs the council of the Property Ombudsman scheme, which listens to complaints against managing agents, asked whether the baroness agreed it would be a good idea if it were made compulsory for all managing agents to belong to an ombudsman scheme.
The baroness replied that she would not want to compel managing agents to do that, while Lord Lea of Crondall complained – having lived in a block of flats for some years – of the difficulties of getting work done.
The baroness also raised the issue of ‘rip off’ charges by some managing agents.
The full exchange is in the link below.
Meanwhile, the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA), the trade body for residential leasehold managers – which surprisingly was not mentioned in the exchanges – has appointed a CLG civil servant as its new chief executive.
Michelle Banks, currently deputy director at CLG where she works in housing and planning, is to succeed David Hewett who is retiring after 15 years.
She takes up her post on February 6 and will oversee the implementation of the ARMA-Q project, the association’s voluntary self-regulation regime.
ARMA is 21 years old this year and draws its membership from England and Wales. In Scotland, the compulsory licensing of property managers is being brought forward.
Banks said: “Clearly David Hewett will be a very hard act to follow, but I am very much looking forward to the challenge. My aim is to build on the excellent foundation provided by the existing organisation.”
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201212/ldhansrd/text/120117-0001.htm#12011740000432
Comments