The Benefits of Block Management Services

The Benefits of Block Management Services

Where a building has multiple residential units, such as blocks of flats or apartments, owned by individual leaseholders, block management takes care of communal areas through a variety of activities from repairs and maintenance to budgeting, compliance and insurance.

It’s an important function for both residents and property owners, since it ensures that where people live is safe, pleasant, clean and well maintained. Plus it staves off potentially disastrous issues from neglect of the building to financial mismanagement and poor communication. The consequences could include disputes between residents and property owners, legal issues or the sheer hassle of having a high turnover of people living at the site.

Broadly speaking, the roles of a block manager, sometimes also called a managing agent, fall into the following categories:

• Repairs and maintenance

Any necessary repairs must be done quickly and efficiently. There will need to be regular maintenance checks, plus frequent liaison with contractors. Where appropriate, block managers must also respond to requests for emergency repairs, as well as scheduling routine maintenance and tracking completed repairs.

• Health and safety

Ultimately, block management takes care of a building’s compliance with all relevant health and safety guidelines and regulations. The role is about having the right steps in place to reduce the risk of injuries and accidents.

• Legal matters and compliance

Beyond health and safety, with good block management, a building will comply with all applicable laws and regulations, for example fire safety.

• Communicating and resolving disputes

A block manager will communicate maintenance and repair matters to building occupants, and should react promptly to any complaints or queries. Residents, understandably, need to feel their concerns are being heard and that these are being taken seriously.  

• Insurance

Block managers also deal with insurance on behalf of a residential building’s freeholders or Residents’ Management Companies (RMCs). They source policies, take care of renewals and handle any claims, collecting the costs involved through service charges .

They make sure they procure an appropriate level of cover, and, again, that all insurance fully complies with relevant legal requirements.

With the right block management in place, residents enjoy a competent, efficient maintenance regime and the reassurance that where they live is safe. They have a central point of contact through which they can direct any issues, and should receive regular updates about anything affecting their building, with rapid response times to problems. The resulting sense of community should improve their overall quality of life.

For a building owner, there is again peace of mind that their building is safe and compliant, minimising legal risk. A block manager will also identify and address issues before they escalate, saving money over time. Additionally, a better maintained building is far more likely to hold and enhance its value. So property owners’ investment is protected, while the building will remain an attractive prospect both for current and future residents.

Block management in London from McGlashan Property Services

If you’re a freeholder, RMC or building owner, you’re unlikely to have the requisite skills and expertise in-house, so it makes sense to outsource block management.

At family-run, well-established and market-leading McGlashans Property Services, we provide block management across our prime central London area. Let us take care of everything from a simple lock change to preparing an annual service budget – we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Get in touch today to learn more about what we could do for your building, and take a look at our online brochure.