faqs

Frequently Asked Questions - General Topics

Fire safety in blocks of residual apartments that we manage is something that Consort Property Management takes very seriously. The safety and well being of all our residents is our utmost priority. 

Responsibility notices and fire action notices are displayed in communal areas of every residential block we manage. These give information to residents about fire procedures and include an ‘Out of Hours’ emergency service telephone number.
 
Consort Property Management operates a ‘stay put’ policy that involves the following approach:
 
·         If a fire occurs within a flat, the occupants should alert others in the flat, make their way out of the building and contact the fire and rescue service by dialling ‘999’.
 
·         If a fire starts in the common parts, anyone in these areas should make their way out of the building to a place of safety and alert the fire and rescue service.
 
·         All other residents not directly affected by the fire would be expected to ‘stay put’ and remain in their flats, unless directed to leave by the fire and rescue service.
 
A new Local Government Group guidance document on fire safety in purpose built blocks of flats, published in 2011, makes reference to ‘stay put’ as something which has:
 
‘underpinned fire safety design standards from even before the 1960s, when national standards were first drafted. It is still the basis upon which blocks of flats are designed today. In the majority of existing blocks, it remains entirely valid’.
 
This Government guidance also makes reference to how successful ‘stay put’ has been:
 
‘in 2009-2010, of over 8,000 fires [in purpose built flats], only 22 fires necessitated evacuation of more than five people with the assistance of the fire and rescue service’.
 
‘Stay put’ works because blocks of flats are constructed such that if a fire does start, it should normally be contained in the area (usually the flat) where it starts, and will burn itself out or be brought under control by the fire and rescue services before it can spread to other areas.
 
If a fire is severe enough to warrant evacuation of a whole building, this decision will always be made by the attending fire and rescue service – who will then control and manage the evacuation of residents.
 
Of course the ‘stay put’ procedure does not stop anybody who wants to leave the building from doing so if they prefer.
 
We have produced an important customer information Guide ‘Fire Safety in Purpose Built Blocks of Flats’.
 
You can find it on the Useful Information section of our website which has several Customer Information Guides: www.consortpm.co.uk/useful_info
 

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Yes. As the owner of the property when the invoice was issued, the payment is due from you in full.

You should request a receipt when you pay as your solicitor will require this and will obtain a refund from your purchaser or a contribution to the cost you have incurred.

If you are completing a sale prior to the beginning of the invoice period, please pass the invoice to your solicitor so that they become aware of it. For most sales, solicitors write to ask us if there are any payments outstanding. If you have not paid it is possible that this may delay your sale.

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Most Leases state that you should obtain consent and that the sub-tenant should enter into a 'direct deed of covenant' to ensure the sub-tenant complies with the general terms and regulations contained within the Lease.

In order to protect the other residents in the building and to comply with the terms of the Lease, references are required and the letting must be to a specific person.

You are required to pay reasonable solicitor's costs for the preparation and completion of the 'deed of covenant' and an administration cost to us for dealing with this matter. These fees are set out within the application form.

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Some Leases have an absolute ban on any pets, or certain specified animals. Other Leases allow pets provided consent is obtained beforehand. In these cases a written consent is required.

Where you wish to have a pet, please write to us for consent.

In the case of a dog, we would normally require a photograph to ensure that it is a breed which is consistent with living in such a property. The written consent is given subject to what are termed 'good neighbour' conditions, details of which can be obtained from our Customer Service Team on 08451 947044 (lo call)

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Please be aware that most leasehold properties require consent to sublet. A written application must be made to our office and an administrative charge may be made to issue the appropriate consent.

No consent will be issued if there are any outstanding charges. Write to us at our address Contact Us (A standard application form can be sent on request.)

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Our Property Transfer department deals with all queries relating to sales and remortgages and will liaise directly with your solicitor throughout the process. If you are intending to sell or remortgage your property, please ensure your solicitor advises us in writing well in advance of completion.

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We can help you find the ideal tenants and manage the lettings process through our partner Insero Lettings, like Consort a trading division of OM Property Management Ltd.

Insero is experienced in lettings for every size and type of property and uses a network of the best local estate agents to find the right tenants, offer specialist advice and help customers get the most out of letting. As members of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), Insero aims to exceed expectations at every stage in the lettings process.

To find out more please visit their website www.insero-lettings.co.uk

You can also contact the Insero team on 0845 034 5792 (lo-call) or email them on info@insero-lettings.co.uk

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Most Leases and Transfers include covenants that prevent alterations to either the plan or the elevations of the property without the prior written consent of the managing agent. Such alterations include replacing windows, the removal of internal walls, installing external lights or the construction of an extension. The purpose of these covenants is to maintain the structural integrity and aesthetic appearance of the building and to adhere to other restrictions.

If you wish to make an alteration, you should apply to us in writing, including appropriate plans and specifications for the intended work. An administration charge is made to cover the processing and inspection of applications. The alterations may also require local authority planning approval and we would require copies of any consent to proceed.

Property Managers regularly visit the developments and will take appropriate action where it is found that alterations have taken place without the landlord's consent. Such action may include ensuring that the property is returned to its original condition at the owner's expense.

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All comments and suggestions relating to the “Your Property Online” website should be sent to our Website Support team at support@yourpropertyonline.co.uk

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Where leasehold properties are sublet to a tenant, correspondence relating to the property is generally sent to the owner at their main residence. In other cases, the owner may request that correspondence is sent to a letting agent. In this instance, it is essential that the property owner advises our Customer Services department of alternative contact details, in writing by letter or email.

Property owners can also notify us of a change to their correspondence address by using the 'Your Profile' section of Consort Your Property Online.

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To make a change to the name of the registered owner, please contact our Customer Services department on 08451 947044 (lo-call) Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm.

The name of the account holders should always reflect the registered owners of the property. Therefore, we ask that any change to our records is supported by legal evidence noting the change e.g. a marriage or deed-poll certificate. If the registered property owner is a company, then any change in the company name should be evidenced with a certificate of name change.

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Estates & Management Limited (E&M) is a company that acts as agents for a Freeholder, including freehold companies such as Proxima GR Properties Limited* and Holding & Management (Solitaire) Limited.

E&M is part of the Consensus Business Group. Their contact details are:

Estates & Management Ltd
Molteno House
302 Regents Park Road
London
N3 2JX

Email: enquiries@e-m.uk.com

Tel: 020 8371 2800

Web: www.e-m.uk.com

Note: * Proxima GR Properties Limited was formerly Peverel Properties Limited until 15 March 2011. The parent company of this property owning company is Consensus Business Group

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Consensus Business Group (the parent company of this property owning company) no longer wanted to use Peverel in its name as it no longer shares a common owner. It is not unusual for companies to change their names and any change must be registered at Companies House. This change was registered at Companies House on 15 March 2011.

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