Tuesday 27 October 2009

Flat Living Magazine Review


I was posted a copy of Flat Living Magazine last week. This is issue one dated October 2009, with a cover price of £2.50. The publication will appear quarterly and is edited by Belinda Thorpe. There appears to be a lot of information in the 32 page publication provided by ARMA (The Association of Residential Managing Agents), The RICS and FPRA – Federation of Private Residents’ Associations.

According to the front cover there are over 1.8 million private flat owners in the UK and of course numerous more who are leasing. The featured subjects covered included an article on extending leases and then the important issue of insurance.

There are a couple of articles here. The first is by David Dalby FRICS who has written “Make sure everything is covered”. Simply stating make sure that your most valuable asset, your property is fully insured and the insurance level is kept up to date, so if the property has to be re-built there is sufficient insurance cover on it.

The second article is entitled “What if disaster strikes” by Roger Corp of Barrett Corp Harrington who have a full page ad on the next page for their insurance reinstatement cost assessment insurance valuation business. He says that getting the sum insured right is essential for Resident Management Companies (RMC).

A couple of pages on there is a half page feature regarding fire hazards in blocks of flats. Apparently 12 per cent of blocks are under serious fire hazard threat. You can see why people leave their bikes, baby’s prams etc in halls, landings and stairwells. Many flats have no secure storage outside and not enough room inside, so residents leave them in public areas. Unfortunately, they can block exits and be very dangerous particularly if common areas are not well lit.

ARMA – The Association of residential Managing Agents takes up some eight pages of the magazine providing information about what the Association does and why use a member agent for your block. Their members’ manager more than 34,000 blocks of flats in the UK and there are a further two pages listing members.

Finally there is a two page feature on service charges and a page on Eco friendly pads.

I can see why this will only appear four times a year. There are not too many subject to cover here unlike other regular specialist magazines I receive from ARA, the NAEA and the NLA, but hope it continues.
The jml insurance website lists a couple of "Blocks of Flats" insurance providers. Find out more HERE

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