An Insight In To Block Management

Within this guide we endeavour to answer the questions that you may ask about our Block Management Service.

You may ask yourself 'Why use a Managing Agent when we can do it ourselves?' In an ideal world we would not be needed. Carrick Johnson Management Services Limited pride ourselves on the professional and caring way in which we handle the properties and have, over many years developed a long standing team of professional people to ensure that the management runs smoothly.

Carrick Johnson Management Services Ltd are pleased to be members of A.R.M.A. (The Association of Residential Managing Agents) and I.R.P.M. (The Institute of Residential Property Management).

 

Block Management

Most people who come to live in this area, and choose to live or retire to a flat, have done so for a number of reasons. The main reason we believe they have chosen a flat is to be able to have more leisure and time to enjoy outside interests and not have to bother with property maintenance and gardening but to be able to enjoy the gardens and the environment that they live in. We believe that a Managing Agent should be able to look after the affairs of the block of flats so that the occupants can have enjoyment of their property. There are those who want to be involved in the overseeing of the block and this is why a Committee is set up. They can also be the eyes and ears for the Managing Agent.

 

Annual General Meetings

We arrange the Annual General Meetings. This is the time when all members of the flats Management Company come together, usually once a year, to go throught the accounts, hear reports and listen to any observations and improvements to the flats, appoint Directors, Committee Members and Accountants, and approve any expenditure thought to be required.

General Maintenance

Having over the years built up a team of trades people, we are able to carry out most of the day-to-day repairs and these trades people can be used by the occupants of the individual flats if desired.

 

Garden Maintenance

The general up-keep of blocks of flats is very important, the grounds in particular. We have tried and tested gardeners who keep the grounds up to a high standard.

 

Common Parts

Cleaning of common areas is generally done by contract cleaners. The general decoration will be kept an eye on and the Committee and Agent will decide on any work that may be required.

Insurance

We are able to offer some very good policies which many Block Management Companies have used that are reasonable in price and cover. We would want to look at the present cover and costs and to get quotations to ensure that we offer the lowest possible figure. The costs do not have to be paid in full at once but can be spread over a 10 month period.

 

Chartered Surveyors And Chartered Architects

There are times when a Surveyor or Architects' services are required and we will engage a Chartered Surveyor or Chartered Architect. We have our own Chartered Surveyor and a list of Chartered Architects which we have used over the years but this will be subject to their fees being in addition.

 

Accounts

We are able to keep the required records and produce the appropriate accounts in accordance with the Inland Revenue. All of the accounts are drawn up by taxation specialist Accountants and can be included in our management fees.
Should the Block Management Company already have an accounts person dealing with the day-to-day accounts we are happy for this to continue, including the bank accounts, but we require that the Company Directors and ourselves become signatories.

 

Letting And Management

Our sister office in Newton Abbot, Carrick Johnson Letting and Property Management, specialise in the letting and management of residential properties and flats in the South Devon area and have done so for the past 20 years. We have been looking after our clients' interest in their investments in residential property. We will be able to offer these letting and management services for flats let in any blocks managed by Carrick Johnson Management Services Limited, Torquay.

Following the success of the Newton Abbot office and, having already been instructed by Flat Management Companies in Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Torquay and Paignton to deal with their day-to-day management, Carrick Johnson decided to open a new office in Torquay to deal solely with the management of residential blocks of flats.

For more information please phone 01803 389211 to make an appointment with Carrick Johnson. Dip.RLM AIRPM.