The Gena blog
Plain-English guides to service charges, your lease and life in a managed building — written for leaseholders, not lawyers.
You cannot hang a condenser box on the outside of the block — but "invisible" internal air conditioning exists. What the systems cost, why cladding rules some of them out, and the Licence to Alter you will need before a single tool is lifted.
Read articleIn a block of flats your ceiling is your neighbour's floor. Where leaks between flats actually come from, who is responsible under the lease, and the steps to take in the first few hours.
ReadThe bank of post boxes is communal, but the lock on yours almost certainly is not. Who is responsible, how to order a replacement key from the code on the barrel, and how to change the lock yourself.
ReadHow to tell a harmless settling crack from genuine structural movement — width, pattern and progression — how to monitor one properly, and whether you need a building surveyor or a structural engineer.
ReadA courier leaving a parcel wherever it likes is not a legal delivery. Section 29 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and a template to send the retailer.
ReadEver taken a walk down the communal hallway of your apartment building and wondered, Where are the fire extinguishers?
ReadProperty management comes with a lot of moving parts, but few things cause leaseholders more anxiety than major works.
ReadFor many flat owners, the EWS1 form has been a crucial key to selling or remortgaging their homes since its introduction in December 2019.
ReadWhy a brand-new managing agent bills you for the whole year — the two clashing timelines behind the invoice, and what you are actually being charged for.
ReadHow a block's budget and reserve fund actually work, why both exist, and what your service charge is paying for across the year ahead.
ReadWhen 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.
ReadRMC and RTM directors must now verify their identity at Companies House. What the personal code is, who needs one, and what happens if you miss it.
ReadIn the realm of block management, the term "Major Works" is often met with trepidation.
ReadRenovating your home is exciting — whether you're refreshing a tired kitchen, opening up a living space, or replacing your bathroom suite.
ReadYou've just moved into a sleek new flat.
ReadA vague fault report costs more and takes longer to fix. What to include when you report something in your building, and why the detail pays for itself.
ReadIf you own a property, the paperwork can be overwhelming. You likely have a stack of policy documents that all sound vaguely similar.
ReadIf you live in a leasehold flat, you probably know the drill.
ReadUnderstanding what is your responsibility versus what is communal can save you a world of confusion, disputes, and unexpected costs.
ReadFor millions of leaseholders across the country, the arrival of the annual service charge demand can be a moment of genuine anxiety.
ReadYour front door is the first thing you see when you come home. But in a block of flats, your front door has another, far more critical role: it's a fire door.
ReadFor larger blocks, it is not uncommon to have parcels stolen. Many leaseholders opt to get CCTV installed to find the perpetrators.
ReadWhen you own a property in the building, you typically become a member of the company, which gives you a say in how your building is managed.
ReadThe Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 resulted in a huge spike in energy prices which has settled down in recent years.
ReadLet’s talk
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