Ever taken a walk down the communal hallway of your apartment building and wondered, Where are the fire extinguishers? If you’ve ever worked in a commercial office or stayed in a hotel, you’re probably used to seeing those heavy red canisters mounted on every wall. But in purpose-built residential blocks across London, they are conspicuously absent. It’s easy to assume this is down to lazy property management or cost-cutting. However, the truth is entirely different: it’s a d

Property management comes with a lot of moving parts, but few things cause leaseholders more anxiety than major works. Whether it’s a full roof replacement, external redecoration, or structural repairs, these projects are expensive, time-consuming, and heavily regulated. At Gena, we do things a little differently than most managing agents. We believe in fairness and transparency, which is why we don’t charge extra fees for administering major works or handling Section 20 noti

Navigating the 5-Year EWS1 Deadline: What Leaseholders Need to Know For many flat owners, the EWS1 form has been a crucial key to selling or remortgaging their homes since its introduction in December 2019. However, as the earliest forms reach their five-year expiry dates, many leaseholders and building owners have been left wondering if they will face further hurdles. Thankfully, joint industry updates in 2025 has provided some much-needed clarity and relief. Why Did EWS1 Fo

If you’ve ever opened a service charge invoice from a brand-new managing agent only to see a bill for the entire year—even though they only took over the building last Tuesday—you’ve likely felt a surge of "billing whiplash." It feels counterintuitive. In almost every other walk of life, you pay the person who did the work for the time they did it. But property management operates on two different, and often clashing, timelines. Here is the breakdown of why your invoice looks

Managing a residential block is, in many ways, like running a small business. To keep the building safe, clean, and well-maintained, we need a clear financial roadmap. That roadmap is the Annual Budget . However, many leaseholders are surprised to learn that a budget isn't a fixed price list—it is a living document designed to protect both the building and your bank account. Here is a look at how we balance the books to ensure your home remains a solid investment. 1. The Budg

When a new management company takes over a block, it’s rarely a "plug-and-play" situation. More often than not, it’s a rescue mission. At the start of our appointment, we charge a one-off set-up fee . This isn't an arbitrary "welcome" charge; it represents the intense, behind-the-scenes labour required to untangle the past and build a functional future for your property. Here is exactly what that investment covers and why it’s important. 1. Playing "Paperwork Detective" One o

If you are a director of a Residential Management Company (RMC) or a Right to Manage (RTM) company, the clock has already run out on the old way of doing things. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act , identity verification is now a hard requirement. Without a Companies House Personal Code , you cannot file your company’s annual Confirmation Statement. If you miss that filing, your company risks being struck off the register—a disaster that can freeze your b

In the realm of block management, the term "Major Works" is often met with trepidation. However, from a professional standpoint, these projects—governed by Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985—are a critical mechanism for preserving the structural integrity and capital value of your asset. At Gena, we approach these projects with a focus on legal precision and cost-efficiency. Here is a professional overview of the statutory process, our administrative role, and the

A Leaseholder's Guide to Getting It Right — everything you need to know before carrying out works on your leasehold flat.