KT Management News

Hedgehog Awareness Week – 30th April to 6th May 2017.

Each year the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk) organise an awareness week to highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how we can help.

What you can do:

• Hedgehogs need at least 13 x 13cm gap to access and exit your gardens via boundary fences and walls .
• Before burning rubbish, always check what is in there.
• If you use netting, make sure it is at an appropriate level so it doesn’t trap hedgehogs.
• If you have a compost heap, check the heap before using a folk.
• Stop using pesticides and poisons, as this effects more than their intended targets.
• If you have holes and drains, make sure they are covered
• For those of you who have ponds/pools, make sure there are access/exit routes for all wildlife.

If you want to find out more visit the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk)

The Housing Minister Gavin Barwell has introduced tougher measures for local authorities against rogue landlords. As a result they now have a tool to crack down on rogue landlords who neglect their responsibilities.

Councils now have the power to fine landlords up to £30,000. Instead of prosecution for the variety of housing offences committed. The fines will probably be used by councils for the purpose of housing enforcement in the private sector.

Housing Minister Gavin Barwell said:

“These measures will give councils the additional powers they need to tackle poor quality rental homes in their area.

“By driving out of business those rogue landlords that continue to flout the rules.We can raise standards, improve affordability and give tenants the protections they need.”

For information about the Housing Minister, see the below link by The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2016/jul/19/a-quick-guide-to-new-housing-and-planning-minister-gavin-barwell

Theresa May has now formally triggered Article 50 and the countdown to leave the EU has started.

Parliament has introduced a new piece of Smoke Alarm Legislation regarding smoke and CO2 alarms in rental properties.

This means, that all landlords are required by 1st October 2015 to ensure that their rental properties comply with the new legislation, which is…

• All rental properties are required to have a fitted smoke alarm, that works on each floor.
• Where a rental property has a solid fuel burning appliance (eg coal or wood) then the property must have a CO2 alarm fitted.
• At the start of each tenancy these alarms are to be tested and let in working condition.

If landlords do not adhere to the new Smoke Alarm Legislation update the local housing authority will issue them remedial notices. Civil penalties of up to £5,000 may be charged if the landlord continues to ignore the new legislation.

The majority of thefts are as a result of situations being taken advantage of; such as doors and windows being left open.

Whether you live in a freehold property such as a house or a flat in a block of flats, if you want to protect your property make sure all the doors and windows including communal doors and windows are shut when you are not at the property or have gone to bed. For further advice go to www.police.uk

When you hear the term service charge most will associate this with leasehold apartments. The fee paid to maintain communal corridors, the grounds maintenance, buildings insurance and the long term plan for the apartment block.

KT-Management have found construction companies are using our services more for new housing developments. This is because Local Authorities don’t always adopt the areas of private land around a new build housing development. Dependant on the site requirements we manage private roads, grass verges, any greenery, street lighting, water pumping stations, walls and much more. We prepare an annual budget to cover these costs and all (or part dependant on the terms and site)of the freeholders contribute a small amount to cover these works. Terms will be found in the deeds when purchasing the freehold property.

Here at KT-Management we also prepare a long term plan and each homeowner puts aside a small amount into a reserve fund, this then covers any wear and tear that may occur on sites and prevents owners receiving a large bill if major repairs are needed.

We work hard to make freehold site management affordable with the best interest of the site and residents in mind, so you can enjoy your new home with piece of mind that the surrounding areas are well looked after.

If you require our services please contact Kailee on 01384 573637 or kailee.hurdiss@kt-management.co.uk

Here at KT-Management we can come across a variety of different maintenance issues when looking after apartment blocks. With our extensive check list that we use on our site visits, we try and be pro active not reactive. Responding to maintenance issues in a swift and professional manor is very important to us.

Over the years we have built up a large database of reliable and trusted contractors, but we are still happy to build new relationships with new and local contractors to provide our clients with a variety of services at competitive prices..

Every day is different when managing apartment blocks, we have some common faults for example replacing light bulbs to more complex situations like the case study I will reflect on now.

We had a situation in a block of apartments that effected three residents. The toilet in the ground floor apartment was backing up, not only into the ground floor apartment but the first floor apartment also. With the second floor apartment experiencing smells.

The first thing we did was to arrange for a professional expert to attend the site to assess the situation , we also attended site to meet the residents involved and to inform them that we were dealing with the situation.

It was established that the bathroom floor and suite in the ground floor apartment would need to be lifted to fix the problems with the shared soil stack. This is when we had to communicate with our own contactor and that of the residents plumber to put the bathroom back to how it was. We also updated all parties involved as to what work was being carried out and timescale for completion. This issue was resolved swiftly with all residents remaining informed.

With more complex maintenance issues communication is vital to make sure there is as little disruption as possible for residents. Also we can communication between contractors so they are aware of the situation and can get the issue resolved as quickly as possible.

Here at KT-Management we are always looking at ways to improve our services. With this in mind we have upgraded our phone systems so you can be directed to the department you require.

There are also more options and information on our out of hours emergency line. 

Here is a reminder of our new address

Unit 4 Shaw House

Wychbury Court

Two Woods Lane

Merry Hill

DY5 1TA

 Communal bins are provided for apartment sites for general waste, although the bins are large these are not to be filled with other household items and furniture.

Larger items being dumped and items on the floor can result in the bin men not collecting any of the rubbish.

Arranging for removal of extra items comes at a cost in which the homeowner has to pay. Even if you rent you may find your rental fee increases as the landlords fees increase.

Here is a link for you to find your local- Recycling Centre.

Also you can help local charities by giving unwanted furniture to them. British Heart Foundation for example do a free-collection service.

If you see anyone fly tipping please inform us of any details as fly tipping is an offence.

KT-Management working together for a nice, clean and safe environment to live.

 We would like to thank PC Green for attending an AGM with residents for a site we manage in Coventry.

Thanks also to Sandwell Council for their support on a fly tipping issue.

KT-Management working together within the community for the best results for residents.