If you own a flat or a block of flats, block management is essential. Here's what it involves, who's responsible and how professional management adds value.
Block management — the professional management of multi-unit residential buildings and their shared areas — is a specialised area of property management that's distinct from standard buy-to-let management. Understanding how it works is essential for any landlord who owns a flat or a block of flats.
What block management covers
Block management encompasses the management of communal areas and shared infrastructure within a block: lifts, roof structures, stairwells, car parks, gardens, exterior walls, drains and shared utilities. It involves collecting service charges from leaseholders, maintaining building insurance, coordinating maintenance and repairs, and ensuring compliance with fire safety, health and safety and legal obligations.
Who is responsible for block management?
The freeholder of a building (or a residents' management company if one has been established) is responsible for managing the block. If you own a leasehold flat in a block, your service charges fund the freeholder's management costs. If you own the freehold of a block — perhaps a converted Victorian house divided into flats — you are responsible for block management.
Service charges and ground rent
Leaseholders pay service charges to cover the costs of maintaining communal areas and shared services. Service charge accounts must be maintained properly, with funds held in trust. Service charge demands must be in the correct format and accompanied by a summary of rights and obligations.
Fire safety post-Grenfell
Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, fire safety requirements for residential blocks have been significantly tightened. Buildings over 11 metres require an External Wall Assessment; buildings over 18 metres are subject to the Building Safety Act 2022's extensive requirements. Block managers must ensure all fire safety obligations are met and documented.
Our block management service
Arete Lettings provides professional block and estate management services for residential blocks in our operating areas. We handle everything from service charge collection to major works procurement. Contact us to discuss your building.