Key Benefits

• Up-to-date technical knowledge on a wide range of relevant management issues
• Expert presenters with hands-on experience of live issues in the current market
• Clear and concise presentations with opportunity for questions and discussion

Who Should Attend?

• Surveyors involved in management or dilapidations issues
• Property developers and investors
• Occupiers of commercial space

More About this Event
“The prime function of property management is the collection of rent”. Certainly, in a  recessionary market, this is a primary consideration, but maintaining buildings in repair, keeping costs down and retaining tenants at all costs keeps the property working as an investment and avoids empty rates. 

Tenants are not afraid to ask for incentives and rent free at renewals, even when          renewals are every 5 years.  They are keen to shop around for cheaper property and deals on incentives; so the importance of exercising break options effectively is vital for them.  It is recognised that landlords all too often inflate repair claims.  Tenants and their advisers must be able to assess claims, identify where they are inappropriate and        prevent the drive to litigation.

It is clear that property managers are expected to deal with, and be aware of, a broad range of property issues, whether acting for the landlord or tenant; and be ready for new regulations and adopt best practice in the light of changes in practice and case law. This programme provides a timely and practically focused review of what property    managers need to be aware of.

Programme

Retaining Tenants

• Practical management issues when business and the economy are struggling
• Entering into informal and bespoke arrangements to secure an income stream
• Granting tenancies at will and leases outside the 54 Act
• Concessions given to tenants
• How secure is your security?

Remedies to Collect Money

• Whether it be rent, service charge, or works undertaken by the landlord
• Distress (incl the new procedure pursuant to Tribunals, Court and Enforcement Act 2007)
• Use of statutory demands
• Forfeiture
• Court proceedings
• Former tenants and the importance of serving S.17 Notices in good time
• Rent deposits
• Spotting tenants in distress. Why it matters

Service Charges

• What can and cannot be recovered?
• Improvements – v- repair
• Insurance – handling claims and valuation issues
• How the tenant pays
• Fees
• Responsibility, Accountability, Transparency, Communication
• Duty of care, procurement practice, value for money (VfM)
• New residential client accounting regulations
• The emergence of a new  Service Charge Code?
• The complexities associated with service charges in mixed use properties
• How to loose your rights to recover legitimate charges

Break Clauses and Notices

• When the break can be exercised
• Compliance with conditions
• When a break notice can be invalidated
• Waiving compliance
• The interrelationship with the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
• What do the courts think?
• Practical tips

Keeping the Property in Repair

• Dilapidations and Disrepair in Recession
• What to do when the tenant breaches their obligations
• Is Foreclosure an option in the current market or suicide?
• Do short leases put the onus of repair onto the landlord?
• The use of sinking and reserve funds and depreciation charges
• What’s the difference between sinking and reserve and how to use both effectively
• Dealing with inflated and unreasonable claims
• Tactics and timing in the current market
• The effect of s.18 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 in a downturn
• Tactics and timing in the current market

Is a Green Building more attractive to tenants?

• The sustainability agenda
• ‘Green’ demands imposed on building owners, occupiers and managers
• The new initiatives on carbon reduction
• Use of renewable energy and how to cut energy usage
• Desirability of a green building –v- non-green building in relation to securing and retaining clients and impact on value