Block Management

We provide advice and representation in relation to leasehold management issues to landlords, lessees (including groups of lessees) and managers. Our background is in advisory work, dispute resolution and litigation rather than conveyancing. We are therefore well suited for dealing with non-routine matters, particularly contentious issues. As well as covering the whole range of residential landlord and tenant matters we also advise on related company law issues, such as the removal of directors.

Issues on which we often advise include the following:-

• Acquisition of freeholds and the right of first refusal
• Lease extensions (also incidental professional negligence claims in relation to errors in notices and failure to take proceedings in time)
• Nuisance
• Regulated tenants
• Repairs
• Right to manage and the appointment of managers
• Service charges
• Unlawful alterations
• Unlawful sub-letting

In terms of remedies and litigation we are experienced in claims for forfeiture and relief from forfeiture and applications to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) and the Court. We have close and long-standing relationships with the property bar.

The funding of legal advice and representation is one of the first issues that should be addressed when faced with a serious management issue, and in particular whether costs are recoverable though the service charge. We provide our clients with a range of costs solutions, including fixed and conditional fees.

Many of the blocks we deal with are in Central London and in particular in the Boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.