The ARHM Annual Conference returns to Central London in 2019. We are putting together a varied and specialist programme which will again be delivered by a fantastic line up of top speakers. In an environment of change we look forward to addressing current issues, highlighting best practice and catching up with sector colleagues on what promises to be a key date in the retirement housing calendar.

Speakers include Siobhan McGrath Property Chamber President, Katrine Sporle, Property Ombudsman, Andrew Bulmer, CEO

Over 15 cross industry trade and representative bodies have come together to create and endorse a new Freehold Management Enquiries (FME1).

Those involved in the creation of the FME1 form are urging all conveyancers to use this new standardised questionnaire to secure the necessary information if a property being sold is managed freehold.  This is where a freehold property has a shared amenity requiring a maintenance either through an estate rent charge or covenants set out in the title.

The

The Committee, chaired by Clive Betts MP published its report on 20th March please click on the link below to access the full report and recommendations.

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmcomloc/1468/report-summary.html

The Consultation closes on 30th April. Please see PDF below for full details of the consultation.

Right-to-manage-consultation-paper.pdf

In response to demand from leaseholders for clear and comprehensive information both at point of sale and on taking possession of their new home, a group of leading property organisations has come together to produce a new suite of consumer guides.

ARHM has taken an active role in this initiative and we are pleased to announce that these guides are now available to download from our website using the following link www.rita.network

Topics include:

• What is a Lease?
• Who is

The Law Commission has published a Consultation Paper on leasehold enfranchisement reform, “Leasehold home ownership: buying your freehold or extending your lease”. The paper, together with a Summary, can be found at the following link: lawcom.gov.uk/project/leasehold-enfranchisement/.

The Law Commission states the Consultation Paper concerns the enfranchisement rights of leaseholders of both houses and flats. They make provisional proposals for reform designed to enhance and improve enfranchisement rights, and provide a new unified procedure for all claims. The purpose behind

Amongst the many contained in the paper – highlights include:

(1) simplifying eligibility criteria & clarifying new rules for service addresses
(2) providing the ability to apply for unlimited lease extensions with no ground rents – similar to flats
(3) abolishing the two year rule
(4) introducing a concept for houses with shared facilities with flats to be part of collective purchase of whole estates
(5) simplifying of the valuation process
(6) the abolition of qualification criteria based on financial

In line with the GDPR regulations we have released a statement confirming our commitment to keeping your details safe. All our contacts from our existing database have been contacted and asked to update their preferences in terms of contact from us which is usually in respect of our regular news emails to update you about information in the sector, specific ARHM news and details of any events we may be running.

Please read our statement for further information:
ARHM Privacy

The HCA has announced the release of the 2018 – 2019 Management Fee Limits.

Please see attached PDF for further information regarding the limits to be applied.

LSE MANAGEMENT FEE 2018-2019 (.pdf)

The Government has announced a new consultation ‘Strengthening Consumer Redress in the Housing Market’ This consultation seeks views on improving redress in the housing sector, including exploring the option of a single housing ombudsman.  It closes at 11:45pm on 16 April 2018.

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-consumer-redress-in-housing

The ARHM will be submitting a response and urge its members to have their say too.