Michael Gove has been named the new Minister for Housing, Communities, and Local Government. The sometimes controversial MP replaces Robert Jenrick, who was removed from the role in Boris Johnson’s recent cabinet reshuffle.
As the new housing secretary, Mr. Gove will decide where and how new housing should be approved and oversee a new building safety regime and a shake-up of the planning system.
Former Conservative Party Leader Iain Duncan Smith joined the fray, this month when he led a rally of affected leaseholders.
Protesters chanted: “Michael Gove, we want justice!” and leaseholders shared their fears at having to live in buildings deemed unsafe whilst facing huge bills for fire safety works.
“Building safety is a huge part of Block Management and something we take very seriously at Watsons. A programme of regular safety checks and taking decisive action when buildings need repairing are hallmarks of any reputable block management company.”
~ Emily Ransome-Farmer, Head of Block and Estate Management
Attempts by ministers to persuade freeholders and property developers to pay for the defects have had only limited success, leaving thousands of people in financial limbo, with managing agents caught between new legislation, leaseholders, and freeholders in keeping leasehold property in line with necessary health and safety requirements whilst providing advice on spiraling and urgent remedial costs where reserve funds have diminished.
Tackling the building safety crisis that continues to spread more than four years after the Grenfell Tower fire is set to be one of Gove’s first challenges. The government has published a building safety bill that so far does not commit to preventing homeowners from paying to fix defective works that were not their fault.
Mr. Gove is the fourth to hold the housing secretary of state Cabinet post since it was introduced in 2018. He has some experience of housing, having been shadow housing minister between 2005 and 2007.
One of the most important responsibilities of a residential block managing agent, such as Watsons, is to ensure that the properties managed are compliant with up-to-date health and safety regulations.
These responsibilities also apply to Resident Management Companies (RMC), including Right to Manage Companies (RTMC), although if they appoint a reputable block management agent, they should ensure compliance, and notably one who is regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Health and safety regulations first and foremost protect the health and safety of the residents living in the property, any visitors to the property, any persons employed in the property, and members of the public near to the property.
Whilst in exceptional circumstances leaseholders may voice objections to costs that relate to work undertaken in order to comply with health and safety regulations, block managers must not fail to comply with any regulations. The costs and consequences of an accident or injury occurring would be far greater in the absence of adhering to stringent health and safety guidelines.
Block managers needing to spend large amounts of service charge funds to ensure a block is compliant will be governed by the terms of the lease and section 20 legislation to allow the recovery of costs in carrying out health and safety measures from the service charges or any reserve funds.
For further help and support in managing leasehold property, or to request a quote please get in touch using our contact form.
