Rics Code PDF

Code of Practice
2nd edition
Service Charge
Residential
Management Code
and Additional Advice to Landlords, Tenants and Agents
Approved by the Secretary of State for England under

section 87 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and
Urban Development Act 1993.
The Code applies to leasehold properties where a service
charge, which varies according to the expenditure, is payable,
and the landlord is not a public sector authority or Registered
Social Landlord. It is not applicable to commonhold
properties.
Service Charge Residential Management Code

and Additional Advice to Landlords,
Tenants and Agents
2nd edition
This Code is effective from 6 April 2009.
Please note: References to the masculine include, where appropriate, the feminine.
Published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Surveyor Court
Westwood Business Park
Coventry CV4 8JE
UK
www.ricsbooks.com
No responsibility for loss or damage caused to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material
included in this publication can be accepted by the authors or RICS.
Produced by the Residential Professional Group of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
First edition published 1997.
Reprinted 2001 (twice), 2002, 2003, 2005 (with addendum), 2007 (with addendum) and 2008 (with addendum).
ISBN 978 1 84219 168 2
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) April 2009. Copyright in all or part of this publication rests with
RICS, and save by prior consent of RICS, no part or parts shall be reproduced by any means electronic, mechanical,
photocopying or otherwise, now known or to be devised.
Typeset and printed in Great Britain by Page Bros (Norwich) Ltd
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

(RICS) Service Charge Residential
Management Code
The following parts of this document are approved by the Secretary of State for England under
section 87 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993:
Parts 121
Appendices I and II
This Code has been updated and amended and incorporates the provisions of the Commonhold
and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 and, where appropriate, the Housing Act 2004.
This Code applies to leasehold properties where a service charge, which varies according to the
expenditure, is payable, and the landlord is not a public sector authority or Registered Social
Landlord. It is not applicable to commonhold properties.
The following parts of this document have not been approved by the Secretary of State for
England:
Appendix III
Additional Advice to landlords, tenants and agents
Note for RICS members

RICS members are reminded that this document has RICS guidance note status.
SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE
iii
Special note
The Code does not contain authoritative or comprehensive statements of the relevant law. If you are
in doubt about the statutory rights or are considering taking legal action you would be well advised to
consult a solicitor, qualified surveyor or other suitably qualified professional or to seek information
from a Citizens Advice Bureau, community legal advice centre, or through the Leasehold Advisory
Service (LEASE). You may be able to get help with all or part of the cost of legal advice under the legal
aid scheme.
The existence of this document, and where it can be seen and/or purchased, should be brought to the
attention of all tenants of relevant private sector dwellings.
This Code only applies to properties in England. Except where indicated in the right-hand column of
the text, all the requirements are upon the manager (who may be the landlord, a managing agent, or
another see paragraph 1.12 of the Code) who is therefore addressed as you. In this connection it is
therefore important to read the definitions in Part 1 before studying the Code itself.
Some paragraphs in the Code are deliberately repeated in different sections for clarity.
There is a separate approved Code of Practice which applies where tenants pay rent only. This is known
as the RICS Rent Only Residential Management Code.
Members of any professional bodies continue to be bound by the rules of those bodies, subject to their
being any statutory requirements that conflict with those rules. This Code does not override any
statutory requirement, and you should be aware of all the applicable legislation concerning the
management of residential premises and service charges.
Leasehold (future legislative) changes
You should be aware of the changes already made by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002,
but also those yet to be made, in particular those relating to accounting for service charges and the
amendments that are proposed to section 21 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, and section 42 of
the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987.
To ensure that this document maintains its effectiveness readers are invited to make comments in
writing to RICS so that its contents can be kept under review. Please send your comments to:
Residential Professional Group
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
12 Great George Street
Parliament Square
London
SW1P 3AD
[email protected]
RICS acknowledges with thanks the assistance of the following organisations in the revision of this Code:
Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA)
Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG)
Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM)
Residential Property Tribunal Service (RPTS)
Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH)
The consultative committee of accountancy bodies:
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW)
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
The Code incorporates, where appropriate, the legislative changes made by part 2 of the Commonhold
and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 in respect of residential leasehold and statutory instruments made under
that Act. Any reference to a statute or statutory instrument is to be taken as being a reference to it as
amended by any subsequent Act or instrument.
vi
Contents
Parts of this document that have been approved by the Secretary of State
Foreword and application of the Code
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 21
Definitions applicable in this Code

Appointment and charges of managing agents
Managers duties/conduct
Accounting for other peoples money
Right to Manage
Service charges, ground rent and administration charges:
information and demands
Services
Budgeting/estimating
Reserve funds
Accounting for service charges
Audit of service charge accounts
Contractors
Repairs
Works to extend or develop an existing block or new phase
Insurance
Provision of information
Residents/Tenants Associations
Consultation
Disputes between occupiers
Complaints and disputes about managers and managing
agents by tenants
Arrears of service charges
Appendix I
Appendix II
Lease variations
Statutory rights of tenants
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13
Part 14
Part 15
Part 16
Part 17
Part 18
Part 19
Part 20
3
6
10
15
19
20
22
26
28
31
36
37
39
44
45
48
52
54
55
56
57
58
59
Parts of this document that have not been approved by the Secretary of State
Appendix III Useful regulations and guidance documents
64
Additional Advice to landlords, tenants and agents
68
Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used where statutory references are given in the
right-hand column:
S/s section
Ss/ss sections
vii
Foreword and application of the Code

Foreword
Whilst the Secretary of State has approved this Code under Section 87(7) of the Leasehold Reform,
Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 approval of the Code does not have the effect of making a
breach of the Code a criminal offence or create civil liability. However, the contents of the Code may
be used in evidence and taken into account, if relevant, in court and tribunal proceedings, especially
those for the appointment of a new manager where landlords or managers have failed to comply with
this Code. (See section 24 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, as amended by section 85 of the Housing
Act 1996.)
This Code has been prepared to promote desirable practices in respect of the management of residential
leasehold property. Successful management can only be achieved through cooperation and a mutual
understanding of the procedures necessary for the effective control of property as well as of the
problems that can arise. The Code is, therefore, intended to be read by landlords, tenants, occupiers and
managers of leasehold property and managing agents. Although most of the Code is aimed directly at
the managers of residential leasehold property, parts are specifically intended for other parties such as
owners and professional advisers. Whilst there are cost implications of managing residential properties
to the standard specified by this Code, the benefits in terms of improved service and the level of
satisfaction should make any additional cost worthwhile in the long run.
Application of the Code
The Code applies only to residential leasehold properties in England but it deals with flats, houses and
all other dwellings whether in towns or in the country, on estates, in groups or on their own. It covers
all lengths of leases and statutory tenancies where variable service charges are payable. The Code does
not apply where the landlord is a public sector authority, or a Registered Social Landlord, but it does
apply where a public sector authority or Registered Social Landlord is an agent managing for a private
sector owner.
In this Code, whenever a statutory reference is given, there is a legal obligation to act in accordance with
the statute. In this Code the word must is used to indicate a legal obligation breaches could lead to
civil and/or criminal action. The word should is used to indicate good practice.
In considering the guidance given, such factors as the age and location of the property, the terms of
occupation, the level of payment for services and the management fee need to be taken into account.
Fundamentally, the following should be considered when taking management decisions to reflect this
Code: statutory requirements, terms of the lease or tenancy agreement, cost effectiveness, convenience,
efficiency, reasonableness and the quality of service. Whilst compliance with the guidance given is not
mandatory, managers should be able to justify departures from it. You should be aware that there is an
RICS Management Code for Rent Only property as well: the Rent Only Residential Management Code.
Part 1
Definitions applicable in this Code
It is difficult to avoid using terms which are complicated or which have
different meanings to different people. As a result some of the words used
in this Code are defined as follows:
1.1
Must/should
In this Code the word must is often used to indicate a legal obligation.
Breaches could lead to either civil and/or criminal action. The word
should is generally used to indicate good practice, though there is often
a very close correlation between a statutory requirement and good
practice.
1.2
You
Except where indicated in the right-hand column all the requirements
are for the manager, who is addressed as you.
1.3
Client money
Client money is the term used to describe all money held or received by
a manager over which they have control but which does not belong to the
manager or their practice. It is not restricted to money held on behalf of
clients of a practice. It can therefore include rents, service charges, reserve
funds, deposits and retentions in respect of taxation obligations.
Client money may, therefore, be held on behalf of the client, a
management company, the tenants, or in trust either on behalf of the
landlord or on behalf of the landlord and tenant, i.e. as stakeholder.
Where the landlord holds money within this definition it should be
treated as client money and the rules in Part 4 of this Code should be
complied with
It is a statutory requirement to hold service charge contributions in trust.
Section 42 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 enforces this obligation.
1.4
S42 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
Flat
The word flat covers any dwelling unit separated from others
horizontally (and possibly vertically as well), or from commercial
premises. However, the flat could be a maisonette or duplex on more
than one floor, and can be in purpose built blocks as well as conversions
and mixed use buildings or estates.
1.5
Gender/plurals
References to he, his or him cover also she or her and may also
include the plural, and words in the plural also usually include the
singular.
1.6
Ground rent
A rent payable to the landlord by the tenant on a specified date as
required by the lease, subject to a notice in a prescribed form being served
by the landlord.
1.7
House
Any dwelling for the purposes of this Code which is not a flat is referred
to as a house. (This definition is not the same as the definition of house
contained in the Leasehold Reform Act 1967).
1.8
Landlord
The person or company which owns and rents or leases a flat or house.
This person may also own the freehold or may have a superior leasehold
interest in the property themselves, but is not the manager as defined in
paragraph 1.11.
(Note: For convenience this Code has been written as though the manager
is not the same person as the landlord. Where the manager is the landlord,
he is responsible for complying with the Code).
1.9
Lease/tenancy agreement
The legal contract between the landlord and the tenant by which the
tenant is allowed to occupy the subject property (flat or house) setting
out the terms and conditions that both parties must comply with.
1.10 Leaseholder/lessee/tenant
The person who, or company which, owns the leasehold interest and is
liable to pay the service charge and ground rent under the terms of the
lease. Throughout this code the term tenant has been used for
consistency but this also includes the term lessee and leaseholder.
1.11 Manager
In this Code the person having day-to-day control of the management of
a dwelling is called the manager. This person could be the landlord
personally, a member of staff of a corporate landlord, a managing agent,
or a group of flat owners who have formed themselves into a formal
management or maintenance company (a Residents Management
Company), (which could be limited by share or guarantee), or a
recognised or informal tenants association. It could also be a Right to
Manage company set up in accordance with the Commonhold and
Leasehold Reform Act 2002.
1.12 Managing agent
A person or organisation which acts on behalf of the landlord (or Right
to Manage company) within terms of reference and/or instructions from
the landlord (or Right to Manage company), subject to any legal
restrictions.
1.13 Money laundering

The ways of hiding a source of money which has been gained by illegal
means. Please refer to paragraph 3.31 for further information.
1.14 Residents/Tenants Association
A group of tenants with or without a formal constitution or corporate
status, is called a residents association. It is also possible to have a
residents association recognised by law and with a formal constitution.
This is known as a Recognised Tenants Association which applies where
a residents association successfully gains formal recognition from the
landlord or a Rent Assessment Panel. Formal recognition confers extra
rights and allows the secretary of the association to act on behalf of
individual tenants, and is referred to in more detail in Part 17 of this
Code and the Additional Advice.
1.15 Residents Management Company (RMC)
An organisation which may be referred to in the lease, which is
responsible for the provision of services, and manages and arranges
maintenance of the property, but which does not necessarily have any
legal interest in the property.
1.16 Right to Manage (RTM) company
A specific company created by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform
Act 2002 enabling qualifying tenants of the building they live in to take
on the management without proving their existing manager is at fault.
RTM is particular to leasehold flats and maisonettes, but not to leasehold
houses or estates.
1.17 Service charge
Where an amount is payable by a tenant as part of or in addition to rent
in respect of services, repairs, maintenance, insurance, improvements or
costs of management (and the amount may vary according to the costs
incurred or to be incurred), this is called service charge.
1.18 SI
This refers to a Statutory Instrument (Regulations or an Order) that has
been made by the Secretary of State to supplement the primary
legislation and which must be complied with.
Part 2
Appointment and charges of
managing agents
2.1
Managing agents and their clients should enter into written management
contracts. The basis of fee charging and duties should be contained in
the agreement.
Under current law tenants are entitled to obtain the following from the
landlord/managing agent:
information about the landlord;
Ss 1 and 2 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
Ss 47 and 48 Landlord
and Tenant Act 1987
information about service charges;
Ss 21, 22 and 23
Landlord and Tenant
Act 1985
information/notification about major works and long term

agreements; and
Ss 20 and 20ZA
Landlord and Tenant
Act 1985 (as amended by
s151 Commonhold and
Leasehold Reform
Act 2002)
Service Charges
(Consultation
Requirements) (England)
Regulations 2003
(and correction)
(SI 2003/1987)
Service Charges
(Consultation
Requirements)
(Amendment) (No 2)
(England) Regulations
2004 (SI 2004/2939)
information about insurance.
S30A and schedule

Landlord and Tenant
Act 1985
In anticipation of requests from tenants, managing agents should prepare

a basic summary of their terms and duties which can be issued if
appropriate to interested parties.
2.2
Contracts between landlords and managing agents are normally

governed by the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (as amended),
which implies into such contracts terms to the effect that services shall
be provided to a reasonable standard, time and cost (usually previously
agreed).
Ss 13, 14 and 15 Supply

of Goods and Services
Act 1982
Unfair Terms in
Consumer Contract
Regulations 1999
(SI 1999/2083).
(Amended by the Unfair
Terms in Consumer
Contracts (Amendment)
Regulations 2001
(SI 2001/1186))
2.3
Your charges should be appropriate to the task involved and be preagreed with the client whenever possible. Where there is a service charge,
basic fees are usually quoted as a fixed fee rather than as a percentage of
outgoings or income. This method is considered to be preferable so that
tenants can budget for their annual expenditure. However, where the
lease specifies a different form of charging, the method in the lease will
be used by managing agents.
2.4
Subject to the terms of any written agreement, for an annual fee (where
the level of service provided will normally have regard to the amount of
the fee), a managing agent should normally carry out the following work:
a) Collect service charges from tenants.
b) Instruct, with the clients consent, solicitors or debt recovery agents
in the collection of unpaid service charges, subject to any statutory
procedures that need to be followed.
c) Prepare and submit service charge statements.
d) Pay for general maintenance out of funds provided and ensure that
service charges and all outgoing monies are used for the purposes
specified under the lease and in accordance with legislation.
e) Produce annual spending estimates to calculate service charges and
reserves, as well as administering the funds.
f) Produce and circulate service charge accounts and supply
information to tenants and any residents association, liaising with
and providing information to accountants where required.
g) Administer building and other insurance if instructed and
authorised, subject to Financial Services Authority Regulations.
h) If instructed, on behalf of clients engage and supervise staff such as
caretakers, gardeners and cleaners (if staff are employed at a property
the annual fee may be increased to reflect the additional work).
i)
Arrange and manage contracts or services in respect of, for example,

lifts and boilers.
j)
Arrange periodic health and safety and fire risk assessments in

accordance with the statutory requirements, and, where necessary,
in liaison with the relevant public authorities.
k) Visit the property to check its condition and deal with minor repairs
to buildings, plant, fixtures and fittings. An appropriate frequency
for visits should be agreed with the client.
l)
Deal reasonably and as promptly as possible with enquiries from

tenants having regard to any requirements or constraints in the
written agreement.
m) Keep records on tenancies.

n) Keep clients informed on changes in legal requirements, including
any statutory notices and other requirements of public authorities,
and check compliance with lease terms.
o) Advise on day-to-day management policy.
2.5
As part of the terms of engagement, a menu of charges for duties outside

the scope of the annual fee could include the following (some of these
charges may be the responsibility of individual tenants):
a) preparing specifications, obtaining tenders and supervising
substantial repairs or works;
b) preparing statutory notices and dealing with consultations where
qualifying works or qualifying long term agreements are proposed
(see paragraphs 7.4 and 7.5);
c) attending courts and tribunal proceedings in connection with the
property managed;
d) advising on rating, planning, improvement, other grants and
valuations;
e) handling insurance claims (where authorised by the Financial
Services Authority to carry out insurance mediation activities);
f) preparing replacement-cost assessments for insurance purposes;
g) considering tenants applications for alterations, or formal
recognition of a tenants association;
h) advising on and dealing with assignments of leases, subletting,
change of use and Home Information Pack requests;
i)
preparing schedules of dilapidation or condition in respect of

individual dwellings;
j)
providing copies of documents, insurance policies and accounts to

clients or tenants;
k) employing and working with other advisors in connection with the

property;
l)
charging the cost of overseas telephone calls and faxes, etc. that are
necessary for the purposes of carrying out their work listed in
paragraph 2.4;
m) giving information to prospective purchasers, vendors or their agents

of the leasehold interests in the individual dwelling, as required
under Home Information Pack Regulations. Answering specific
enquiries from tenants and prospective purchasers or their legal
advisers, including pre-contract enquiries (see also Part 16);
n) providing accommodation for meetings and inspections of
documents in connection with the property managed;
o) working outside normal office hours;
p) dealing with non-routine matters;
q) advising on termination and handover of management and service
contracts;
r) carrying out the duties of a company secretary;
s) recruiting and employment of site based staff;
t) undertaking additional duties with a landlord as required under the
Right to Manage; and
u) advising on and dealing with long term maintenance plans.
2.6
Insurance commissions and all other sources of income to the managing

agent arising out of the management should be declared to the client and
to tenants.
2.7
The managing agent should give, consistent with the terms of the
contract with the client, reasonable and adequate notice of any increases
in charges.
2.8
If the managing agents charges are agreed to be subject to indexation, the

index to which they are linked should be agreed in advance in writing.
Part 3
Managers duties/conduct
3.1
You should have effective and fair policies and procedures for dealing
responsibly with management matters.
3.2
In undertaking a management function you must observe the terms of

the lease and comply with the law.
3.3
In the interests of the landlord and other tenants, in the course of

management of the property, and if required under the terms of the lease,
you should seek and validate appropriate references for prospective
tenants. These should not be disclosed to outside parties without the
written consent of the subject tenant(s) and referee(s), unless there is a
legal obligation to do so.
3.4
You should respond promptly and suitably to reasonable requests from

tenants for information or observations relevant to the management of
property. Relevant information may be provided, if the lease/tenancy
permits or if it is reasonable and first agreed with the tenant, if
appropriate, that the tenant should pay a reasonable charge. If there is a
conflict with your duties to the landlord you should advise the tenant to
seek independent advice. You should never mislead your clients or
tenants.
3.5
Where the manager is a managing agent, there should be a written

management contract between the manager and the client.
3.6
Subject to the requirements of legislation, the landlord will nearly always

have the ultimate authority over any other manager. One exception to
this would be where the tenants have exercised the Right to Manage (see
Appendix II). Where instructions from the landlord put that manager in
contravention of the Code this should be brought to the attention of the
landlord and if the landlord persists in those instructions the manager
should consider whether to decline to act further for the landlord.
3.7
You must not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, sexual

orientation, religion, marital status, age or disability.
Data Protection Act 1998
Sex Discrimination Act

1975
Race Relations Act 1976
Employment Act 2002
(Note: The Employment
Act 2008 comes into
force in 2009)
Disability Discrimination
Act 2005
3.8
10
You should have policies and procedures for responding to incidents of

harassment. For example, you should be prepared to support tenants
who are harassed or victimised on racial grounds and you should remove
racist graffiti from properties under your management without delay. All
offensive graffiti should be removed promptly.
3.9
You must not do anything likely to interfere with the peace or comfort
of residential occupiers, or withdraw or withhold services reasonably
required for the occupation of the premises as a residence with the intent
of causing the occupier to give up possession or refrain from exercising
any right or pursuing any remedy in respect of the premises or part
thereof.
S1(3) and (3A)

Protection from Eviction
s29(1) and (2) Housing
Act 1988)
3.10 When communicating with tenants you should be accurate, clear, concise
and courteous.
3.11 You should dispatch communications, by whatever means are
appropriate, so that they reach the intended recipients promptly and in
compliance with any legislative requirements. You should be aware of
the need to prove to the satisfaction of a court the service of certain
documentation.
3.12 You should be available during normal working hours to:
be contacted by telephone;
meet tenants; and
inspect property at reasonable times and intervals.
You should also address the issue of how to deal with incidents/
emergencies that occur out of normal hours, and inform landlords and
tenants of any arrangements. Out of hours meetings and inspections
requested by tenants may be the subject of additional charge by
managing agents depending upon the terms of their engagement.
3.13 So far as is reasonably practicable and consistent with statutory and
contractual obligations you should keep confidential and not disclose
personal information about tenants or landlords to other people without
their consent.
3.14 You should deal with written applications for permissions and consents
expeditiously and, when an application is refused, give reasons, bearing
in mind any statutory duty not to withhold consent unreasonably. You
and the landlord are under a duty to the tenant to respond in a
reasonable time to applications for consent to assign or sublet. Failure
to do so is a breach of your statutory duty and may render you and the
landlord open to a claim for damages.
S19 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1927
3.15 You should have procedures in place to visit the building at regular
intervals having regard to the type and the nature of the occupation and
the complexity of the facilities provided. Subject to the terms of any lease
or tenancy and where access is needed to an individual flat you should
always give tenants as much notice as possible that you require access
giving the reasons why, and have due regard to the lease/tenancy and any
difficulties in providing access during normal working hours, and the
potential costs of out of hours working. In the event that you hold a spare
key, entry by that key while the tenant is out should only be with the
express consent of the tenant or in the case of a genuine emergency.
Unfair Terms in
Consumer Contracts
Regulations 1999
(SI 1999/2083).
(Amended by the Unfair
Terms in Consumer
Contracts (Amendment)
Regulations 2001
(SI 2001/1186))
Landlord and Tenant Act

1988
S11 (short leases)

1985
11
In the case of leases granted for a term of less than seven years there is an
implied covenant that the tenant will allow access at reasonable times of
the day and on 24 hours notice to view the condition/state of repair.
3.16 Forcible entry
This may be necessary in conjunction with the need to undertake urgent
repairs. It may also be necessary in other extreme circumstances. You
should have a procedure for this set out and agreed. Forcible entry should
only be considered if all other avenues to entry are closed. Witnesses
should be sought and police should be notified and immediate
arrangements made to repair and re-secure the premises you have
entered. A full explanation should be given to the occupier.
3.17 Personal safety
a) You must ensure the safety of your staff and all others involved in
management at all times.
b) You should agree a set of procedures to cover this and when staff are
out of the office ensure these procedures are followed at all times.
Health and Safety at

Work etc Act 1974
Management of Health
and Safety at Work
Regulations 1999
(SI 1999/3242)
c) In particular you should record the time staff leave the office and
monitor their safe return.
d) You should ensure there is a procedure to be followed where staff do
not return to the office at the end of their working day confirming
they have completed their tasks safely.
e) It is your responsibility to ensure that staff are adequately trained to
guard their personal safety.
3.18 You should levy all charges in accordance with the law and the terms of
the lease.
3.19 You should maintain efficient records relating to the building and keep
records during the periods of statutory limitation of action. Broadly
speaking, court proceedings can be brought up to three years after an
incident which injures someone, six years after a breach of contract or of
any other obligation which gives another person a legal remedy, and up
to twelve years in certain cases involving land. Legal advice may be
needed in specific cases about the documents which ought to be retained
and the length of time they should be kept, as there are exceptions and
qualifications to the time limits set out above.
Limitation Act 1980
3.20 Health and safety policy and risk assessment
12
You must comply with all applicable health and safety requirements that
apply. You should devise and maintain, with specialist help if necessary,
a health and safety policy and arrange regular risk assessments.
S2 Health and Safety at

Work etc Act 1974
You may need to be registered under the Data Protection Act and must
comply with data protection law.
Part 1 (Smoking) Health

Act 2006
3.21 You should consult with representative organisations where necessary

and must do so when required by law.
Ss 20 and 20ZA
1985
3.22 You should take out and maintain sufficient indemnity insurance cover
or equivalent and fidelity insurance cover to protect client money.
3.23 You may advise tenants to seek advice where you think they may have a
right to housing benefit and other statutory benefits.
3.24 You should consider where appropriate whether to liaise with social
services but not attempt to undertake the powers and duties of public
authorities.
3.25 You should take steps to keep yourself informed as to developments in
the law affecting residential management to enable you to keep wholly
within the law.
3.26 Dispute resolution
a) Where not provided for in the lease/tenancy agreement, you should
consider whether to suggest arbitration or mediation by agreement,
rather than litigation, as a means of settling particular disputes, and
the tenant should be advised to seek legal advice on any such
suggestion.
b) You should consider all complaints whether verbal or in writing.
c) On receipt of a complaint in writing, you should investigate and (if
appropriate) enforce the conditions of occupancy on other tenants
in the building subject to consideration of cost implications, legal
requirements and the lease/tenancy agreement.
d) You should have clear policies and procedures for handling tenant
disputes and complaints about nuisance between neighbours. You
should deal fairly with all parties. You should carefully consider
whether there are grounds for civil or criminal action. Also you
should have regard to any difficulties that may be created by your
intervention, e.g. cost implications, and increased animosity between
the parties.
3.27 Antisocial behaviour
You should take reasonable steps to combat antisocial behaviour where
it interferes with the peace, comfort and convenience of residents.
3.28 You must not harass tenants as it is a criminal offence.
Protection from Eviction

s29(1) and (2) Housing
Act 1988)
3.29 Criminality
You should, as far as you are able, ensure that no breach of criminal law
occurs in connection with your management. This includes all
potentially criminal activities in properties under your control.
13
3.30 Treatment of income tax

The treatment of income tax should be covered in the agreement with the
landlord. All landlords will require sufficient information to manage
their tax affairs. When a landlord lives overseas, unless there is a valid
exemption certificate from HM Revenue & Customs, the agent must
deduct income tax from payment to them. Further information is
available from the Non-Resident Landlords Scheme, a scheme for taxing
the UK rental income of non-resident landlords. Information about this
scheme can be obtained from HM Revenue & Customs.
3.31 Money Laundering Regulations
You must comply with the Money Laundering Regulations.
Money laundering may be used to conceal serious criminal activities.
Any method whereby the proceeds of criminal activities are disguised or
converted and then realised as legitimate funds or assets constitutes
money laundering. Investing in property as a means of conversion and
subsequent resale or mortgaging can release clean funds. Legislation has
created three broad criminal offences. These are:
assisting a criminal to obtain, conceal or retain or invest funds if the

person giving assistance knows or suspects the funds to be the
proceeds of crime;
tipping off a person who is the subject of suspicion or is under

investigation; and
failure to report knowledge or suspicion of laundering acquired in

the course of a persons trade, profession, business or employment.
The Money Laundering Regulations apply to those who undertake

relevant financial business. All managing agents must implement
procedures in order to minimise the risk of committing a criminal
offence.
You should be aware of the RICS guidance on the Money Laundering
Regulations. This can be found on the RICS guidance page of the RICS
website.
14
Money Laundering
Regulations 2007
(SI 2007/2157)
(as amended by the
Money Laundering
(Amendment)
Regulations 2007
(SI 2007/3299))
Part 7 Proceeds of
Crime Act 2002
Part 4
Accounting for other
peoples money
4.1
This Part applies to anyone who holds or receives client money. You
should make sure that you have a clear understanding of the meanings
of client money and client (see the definitions in Part 1).
4.2
Any money you receive or hold which is not entirely due and payable to
you is called client money because it belongs to someone else and as such
you should be very careful in handling it and accounting for it.
This is so that if, for example, you were to go bankrupt or to die, there
would be no difficulty in identifying client money and the element due
to each client, and those clients should have no difficulty in accessing
such monies.
You hold client money in trust and if you fail to account for that money
properly, you would be open to legal action for breach of that trust, and
criminal liability could also arise.
4.3
Remembering that it is not your own money that is involved, you should
decide, having regard to the amounts involved and the volume and
frequency of activity affecting the account, whether to place client money
in an interest bearing account. Unless the client has agreed otherwise in
writing, client money should be available immediately to your clients, so
a deposit account with a withdrawal notice period may not be suitable.
You should discuss with a new client where you will keep the money.
4.4
Special rules apply to service charge funds you collect (see Part 10).
4.5
Bank accounts
You should open one or more client bank accounts which should be:
Ss 42 and 42A Landlord

and Tenant Act 1985
a) held at a recognised bank, i.e. an institution authorised by the

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000; or
The Service Charges

Contributions
(Authorised Investments)
Order 1988
(SI 1988/1284).
(Amended by the
Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000
(Consequential
Amendments and
Repeals) Order 2001
(SI 2001/3649))
b) a deposit account (and not invested in deferred shares) of a building

society within the meaning of the Building Societies Act 1986;
and in each case the account(s) should be in the name of the manager
and have an appropriate description including Client Account in its
title.
15
4.6
Opening a client bank account

On opening a client bank account you should give written notice to the
bank or building society concerned:
a) that all money standing to the credit of that account is client money
and that the bank or building society is not entitled to combine the
account with any other account or to exercise any right of set-off or
counterclaim against money in that account in respect of any sum
owed to it on any other account of yours;
b) that any interest payable in respect of sums credited to the account
should be credited to that account (but see paragraph 5.10); and
c) that you require the bank or building society to acknowledge in
writing that it accepts such notice.
4.7
You should tell those whose money you are holding:

a) the name and address of the institution where their money is held;
b) the account number and name;
c) whether or not it is an interest bearing account and if it is the
withdrawal notice period and any restrictions on withdrawals. If not
immediately accessible, such restrictions will require the clients
approval in writing.
This information may be conveniently given when distributing accounts.
4.8
You should hold your own or your office account separately from client
money. You cannot be a client of your practice and, as a result, your
personal or office transactions should not be conducted through a client
bank account.
4.9
You may pay some of your own money into a client bank account in
order to open or maintain it, but you do so at your own risk.
4.10 Records
You should keep account records to differentiate clearly the money which
you hold for different clients. You should keep in written form, or on
computer (provided that they can be reproduced in written form) all
accounts, books, ledgers and records maintained in respect of all client
accounts and all bank or building society statements, for at least six years
from the date of the last entry therein.
4.11 You should keep properly written up general records:
a) to show all your dealings with client money received, held or paid;
and
b) to show all your other dealings through client bank accounts.
16
4.12 You should keep properly written up records in respect of each client to:
a) show all your dealings with client money received, held or paid on
behalf of that client; and
b) enable the current balance of that client account to be shown.
4.13 Your records should be:
a) in a client cash book or in a client column of a cash book, or in a
record of sums transferred from the ledger account of one client to
that of another;
b) in a client ledger or in a clients column of a ledger;
and may be handwritten, mechanical, computer operated or in other
forms of permanent record.
4.14 At least once every 14 weeks you should reconcile your cash books with
your client bank account statements and with your client ledger balances
and keep a record of your reconciliation. Discrepancies should be
investigated and shortfalls on client accounts should be made good.
4.15 You should keep a list of all persons for whom you are or have been
holding client money and a list of all bank and building society accounts
in which client money is held.
4.16 You should send a written account to your client (or as he directs) for all
client money held, paid or received, (whether or not there is any payment
due to your client) at appropriate intervals agreed with your client but
not less than once a year.
4.17 Receipts
You should pay any client money you receive into a client bank account
either on the same working day or the next working day after receipt.
4.18 When you receive a cheque or bankers draft which includes any element
of client money, you should pay it into a client bank account before
withdrawing any monies which are due to you from that client.
4.19 You should not endorse cheques. You cannot endorse a cheque with the
effect of making it payable to anyone other than the named payee if it is
crossed and the words Account Payee, A/C Payee, Account Payee only
or A/C Payee Only are written on it.
S1 Cheques Act 1992
4.20 Payments
You should be cautious about drawing against a cheque before it has been
cleared because, if it is not honoured, you will have to make up the
shortfall.
17
4.21 You should never overdraw a client bank account. You should ask your
client to supply you with funds before the payment is made or you may
make a payment from your own funds, but in so doing you may be at
risk if your client fails to pay you. You should never lend one clients
funds to another.
4.22 Withdrawals from a client bank account
You may only draw money from a client bank account:
a) if it is your own money paid into a client bank account for the
purpose of opening or maintaining the account (see paragraph 4.9
above);
b) for payment to a client;
c) for duly authorised payment on behalf of a client to a third party;
d) for payment of your fees and/or disbursements provided that your
client has a copy of your account and your client has authorised
payment in writing or it is permitted by your terms of engagement;
e) if it was paid in by mistake; or
f) to transfer it on behalf of a client to another client account.
4.23 Termination of management responsibilities
When you cease to be the manager, you should prepare full accounts up
to the final date of management, including schedules of arrears, creditors
and debtors. You should pass all documents relating to the management,
and any monies held in the client bank account, to your client as soon as
possible or as otherwise directed in writing.
4.24 You should keep in written form, or on computer (provided that they
can be reproduced in written form) all accounts, books, ledgers and
records maintained in respect of all client accounts and all bank or
building society statements, for at least six years from the date of the last
entry therein.
18
Part 5
Right to Manage
5.1
The Right to Manage (RTM) is provided by legislation and is a complex

provision likely to require specialist professional advice.
5.2
RTM is a group right for qualifying tenants of flats to manage their own
building in which they live. They do not have to prove fault with the
existing landlord or management or pay any premium in exercising the
right. They can employ a managing agent of their choice should they
wish. They must exercise this group right through a special company set
up by the tenants for that purpose called a RTM company.
5.3
You must be aware of tenants rights in this respect and be aware that
they must meet certain qualifying criteria and use prescribed forms to set
up a RTM company.
Part 2, chapter 1
Commonhold and
Leasehold Reform Act
2002
Right to Manage
(Prescribed Particulars
and Forms) (England)
Regulations 2003
(SI 2003/1988)
RTM Companies
(Memorandum and
Articles of Association)
(SI 2003/2120)
5.4
Where a RTM company is set up by the tenants in accordance with the

legislation and assumes management responsibility from the landlord,
any existing contract between the managing agent and the landlord to
manage the property would come to an end.
19
Part 6
Service charges, ground rent
and administration charges:
information and demands
Service charges
6.1
Subject to the terms of the lease, once a year you should make available
on request to tenants a statement of service charge payments that they
have individually made. (See also Part 10.)
6.2
Demands for money should be clear and be easily understandable by

tenants. They must contain the landlords name and address and any
other information required by statute, and you should avoid the use of
codes and abbreviations if possible. Where they are used, they should be
explained.
S47 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
(as amended by
schedule 11, part 2(10)
Commonhold and
Leasehold Reform
Act 2002)
When sending a demand for service charges it must be accompanied by

a summary of tenants rights and obligations. The particular wording
and other requirements for the summary are specified in regulations.
Failure to do so will mean that service charges can be withheld until the
landlord complies.
S21B Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
6.3
Where arrears are concerned, you should give tenants an explanation as

to how any arrears have arisen, if requested. (See also Part 21.)
6.4
You should give tenants reasonable warning of your intention to take

action which may deprive them of their homes (forfeiture), and you must
comply with any statutory requirements. Any action for forfeiture must
be preceded by a determination by a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT)
that a breach of the lease has occurred.
Service Charges
(Summary of Rights
and Obligations and
Transitional Provisions)
Regulations 2007
(SI 2007/1257)
Ss 167171
Commonhold and
2002
Rights of Re-entry and
Forfeiture (Prescribed
Sum and Period)
2004 (SI 2004/3086)
Ground rent demands

6.5
20
Ground rent must be demanded in a particular manner before it

becomes payable. You should therefore ensure that any ground rent due
is demanded in accordance with the terms of the lease where you are
required to do so, and in accordance with the statutory requirements
using the prescribed form.
S166 Commonhold and

2002
Landlord and Tenant
(Notice of Rent)
2004 (SI 2004/3096)
Administration charge demands

6.6
Demands for administration charges must be accompanied by a notice

summarising tenants rights and obligations before they become payable.
The particular wording and other requirements are specified in
regulations.
Schedule 11
Commonhold and
2002
Administration Charges
(Summary of Rights and
Obligations) (England)
Regulations 2007
(SI 2007/1258)
21
Part 7
Services
7.1
The range of services will normally be governed by the terms of the lease
unless overridden by statute.
7.2
You should routinely monitor the cost effectiveness of services, aiming

always to maintain services and provide value for money.
7.3
You should not act outside the scope of your authority and should not
enter into contracts on behalf of landlords or any management company,
which bind them for unduly long periods.
7.4
Qualifying works (see also Part 13)
7.5
Consultation requirements apply where you propose to carry out works

where the relevant contribution (including VAT) of any tenant exceeds
250. You must refer to detailed regulations published under the
Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 for further information.
S20 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
(as amended by s151
Commonhold and
2002)
Briefly, a notice of intention as prescribed in regulations needs to be

served on each tenant contributing towards the service charges plus the
secretary of any Recognised Tenants Association, and following any
observations received or nominations for contractors, you must obtain
at least two estimates at least one of which must be from a firm wholly
unconnected with you or the landlord.
Service Charges
(Consultation
Regulations 2003
(SI 2003/1987)
Following receipt of the estimates you must follow the other procedures
set out in the legislation and associated regulations. Failure to comply
with the consultation procedures required by the law may mean you will
not be able to recover charges beyond the statutory limit of 250 per
service charge payer (unless you have obtained a dispensation from the
need to consult from a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT)).
S20ZA Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985 (inserted
by s151 Commonhold
and Leasehold Reform
Act 2002)
Qualifying long term agreements (see also Part 13)

Similar provisions and notices apply to works and services contracted
for a period of more than 12 months and where the cost to any tenant
incurred under the agreement will be more than 100 (including VAT)
per annum in any relevant accounting period. You must refer to detailed
regulations as published under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 for
further information.
S20 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
(as amended by the
Commonhold and
2002)
You must serve the relevant notices on each tenant and on the secretary
of any Recognised Tenants Association seeking observations and
nominations for contractors where applicable.
Service Charges
(Consultation
Regulations 2003
(SI 2003/1987)
Service Charges
(Consultation
Requirements)
(Amendment) (No 2)
2004 (SI 2004/2939)
22
Failure to comply with the detailed provisions of the law may mean you
will not be able to recover charges beyond the 100 per annum statutory
limit outlined above per service charge payer (unless you have obtained
a dispensation from the need to consult from a LVT).
S20ZA Landlord and

by s151 Commonhold
Act 2002)
7.6
If you receive requests for services not contracted to be provided in the

lease, or if you wish to terminate any services no longer required, you
should obtain a full agreement in writing and should exercise caution
and consider an application to a LVT.
7.7
In most cases the common parts of a property will be regarded as a place

of work. You must comply with your duties under the Health and Safety
at Work etc. Act 1974 to ensure the health and safety of your employees
and all others who might be affected by your work activities. These
include providing a safe place of work, the safe maintenance of plant
(including the regular inspection of lifts and boilers by qualified
personnel) and safe systems of work.

Work etc Act 1974
7.8
You must regularly assess the risk to the health and safety of employees
and anyone else who may be affected by work activity and appoint
competent personnel to enable you to discharge statutory safety
obligations. The assessment should identify the preventative and protective
measures you need to take to comply with health and safety law. The
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations also include matters
such as organising yourself to deal with health and safety, emergency
procedures, providing information to employees on health, and
cooperation and coordination among employers sharing a work place.
Management of Health
and Safety at Work
Regulations 1999
(SI 1999/3242)
7.9
You must be fully aware of the obligations and strict procedures imposed
on you by the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations in so far as they
affect the management of residential properties.
Regulation 36(1)
Control of Asbestos at
Work Regulations 2006
(SI 2006/2739)
7.10 You should be aware of the terms of part 2 of the Environmental

Protection Act 1990 in so far as they affect the management of residential
properties. You must ensure that all waste in your care is transferred
safely.
Part 2 Environmental
Protection Act 1990
7.11 You must be aware of your duties to keep water supplies wholesome, to
monitor the quality of water, including the presence of bacteria, in the
properties you manage, in particular where the water supply is provided
other than by a water provider (for example where pumps are needed to
provide water during the construction of a building) and when you have
communal tanks.
Private Water Supplies

Regulations 1991
(SI 1991/2790)
7.12 You must be aware of your obligations under the Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989 to maintain electrical equipment to ensure its safety to
those using it and provide and maintain a safe system of work in
connection with electrical systems. The Pressure Systems and Safety
Regulations outline the maintenance and inspection regimes you should
apply to boilers, etc.
Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989
(SI 1989/635)
Pressure Systems and
Safety Regulations 2000
(SI 2000/128)
Institute of Electrical
Engineers Regulations
(17th edition)
23
7.13 The maintenance of lifts

If you manage property with lifts you should be aware of the numerous
regulations and standards. Principal ones are shown in Appendix III.
Lifting Operations and

Lifting Equipment
Regulations 1998
(SI 1998/2307)
Managers should consult with specialist qualified and experienced lift

engineers.
You must ensure that statutory lift inspections take place twice a year by
a competent person. Their reports will normally indicate the priority of
works required or recommended.
7.14 Unless it is a tenants or other partys obligation, you should arrange for
the regular cleaning of all internal common areas including among other
things corridors, staircases, glass in doors and windows accessible from
common areas. Cleaning materials must be stored safely. Landings,
corridors and staircases should be kept clear and safe.
Factories Act 1961
Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health
Regulations 2002
(SI 2002/2677)
7.15 Unless it is a tenants obligation, you should keep shared garden areas
tended to a reasonable standard consistent with the quality of the
property. The gardening service should normally include:
a) grass cutting and lawn maintenance;
b) weeding and pruning;
c) appropriate replacement of shrubs, trees and plants.
Garden waste should be removed or composted on site in a suitable
screened compound remote from any dwelling or removed by a suitably
licensed contractor.
You should carefully consider the implications of requests by tenants to
be allowed to undertake the above roles themselves, subject to the
arranging of insurance cover and consideration of safety requirements.
7.16 You must arrange for the regular maintenance and repair of communal
space heating and domestic hot water systems. You should have regard to
the requirements of insurance inspectors.
Pressure Systems and

Safety Regulations 2000
(SI 2000/128)
7.17 Where accommodation is provided, either for staff or ancillary to the

provision of other services, any rent that is charged should be reasonable,
and in accordance with local market conditions.
7.18 You should be aware of your obligations under the various regulations
regarding fire safety.

Work etc Act 1974
Regulatory Reform
(Fire Safety) Order 2005
(SI 2005/1541)
24
7.19 In respect of soft furnishings in common parts and staff accommodation

you must be aware of your obligations under the Furniture and
Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended) for soft
furnishings.
Furniture and Furnishings

(Fire) (Safety)
Regulations 1988
(SI 1988/1324)
(Fire) (Safety)
(Amendment)
Regulations 1989
(SI 1989/2358)
(Fire) (Safety)
(Amendment)
Regulations 1993
(SI 1993/207)
7.20 Where there is a master electricity meter and electricity is resold to the
tenants, the charge should be reasonable and you must have regard to
the maximum resale price set by the Gas and Electricity Markets
Authority (OFGEM). Where there is a coin-operated telephone, the
charges should be reasonable.
25
Part 8
Budgeting/estimating
8.1
Usually leases provide for the tenants to make advance contributions

towards the cost of services during the year through the payment of
service charges. These must be no more than is reasonable.
and Tenant Act 1985
8.2
A Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) may appoint a new manager if it

is satisfied that unreasonable service charges have been proposed or are
likely to be made, and it considers it just and convenient to do so (see
Appendix II).
S24 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
(as amended by s85
Housing Act 1996)
8.3
In most cases both landlords and tenants have the right to apply to a LVT
before or after a service charge is incurred for a determination as to the
liability to pay a service charge and if so:
S27A Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
(as inserted by s155
Commonhold and
2002)
a) the person by whom it is payable;

b) the person to whom it is payable;
c) the amount which is payable;
d) the date at or by which it is payable; and
e) the manner in which it is payable.
The same rights apply where costs have yet to be incurred for services, etc.
whether or not any payment has been made.
A tenant is also not to be taken as to have agreed or admitted any matter
by reason only of having made any payment.
8.4
At the end of the year, once the actual costs have been calculated, any on
account payments are deducted from each tenants proportion of the
actual costs to arrive at a balancing figure to be paid to the tenant or
credited against subsequent charges.
8.5
Some leases do not require advance payments to be made or specify a

rate of payment which is out of date and therefore do not allow for
recovery of the actual costs adequately. From a landlords point of view
it is not a satisfactory system if all the bills have to be paid by the landlord
without sufficient advance contributions from the tenants.
In such a situation the landlord may have to wait over a year to recover
the expenditure incurred early in the service charge year and may have
to pay for the cost of borrowing money to finance the costs. Sometimes
the landlord cannot recover any interest charged on borrowings as part
of the service charge.
In such cases, variation of the leases may be advantageous to both parties
as, unless funds are available, services may not be provided. This will be
26
S19(2) Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
to the disadvantage of tenants. Failure to provide such services may

constitute a breach of the landlords obligations, leading to legal action.
If any of the tenants are bad payers, the landlord may wait even longer
and risk failure to recover all the money spent. However, tenants have no
obligation to agree to variation of their leases.
8.6
This problem of financing the service costs can also cause difficulties
where the tenants themselves are responsible for providing services and
the charges are payable in arrears. If any of the tenants are late payers,
funds to carry out maintenance and repairs may run out before the end
of the year. You should consider an application to a LVT for a variation
of the lease if the lease deals inadequately with the payment of service
charges.
8.7
Budgets should be prepared as carefully as possible, using the best

possible information available. Beside the obvious benefits of good and
careful management there will be considerable difficulties if there is a
deficit at the year-end. It is better to estimate prudently and to include a
contingency sum.
Part 4 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
Where a contingency sum is included regard should be given to its

reasonableness bearing in mind that service charges (including advance
payments) can be challenged at a LVT where they are believed to be
unreasonable.
8.8
You should draw up or arrange for the preparation of a long-term

planned maintenance programme and discuss it with those affected.
You should not fix a budget which is deliberately too low. This will result
in cash flow problems for the manager and will create difficulties for the
tenants who will face an additional payment at the end of the service
charge period.
8.9
You should base budgets on a professional assessment of costs. The items

in the budget need not necessarily be supported by quotations or
estimates (but see paragraphs 13.17 and 13.18 for statutory consultation
requirements) but should be reasonable having regard to the age and
condition of the building and plant and the work contemplated. You
should not intentionally mislead as to the price at which goods, services,
accommodation or facilities are available.
8.10 You should avoid giving low forecasts and, in the case of new
developments where warranties replace contracts in the initial period,
you should prepare a budget for a full years costs. Giving misleading
indications could be an offence.
8.11 You should consult representative bodies, recognised or informal, about
budgets and explain the details to tenants and give them a copy. To allow
comparison between years, there should be a standard format for
presentation to tenants.
8.12 You should notify tenants of significant departures from the budget and
should be willing and able to explain the reasons for them on request.
27
Part 9
Reserve funds
9.1
Reserve funds are often permitted by the lease. A reserve fund is a pool
of money created through the payment of service charges which are not
immediately needed towards repairs, maintenance or management, etc.
but which are collected and retained to build up sums which can be used
to pay for large items of infrequent expenditure (such as the replacement
of a lift or the recovering of a roof) and for major items which arise
regularly (such as redecoration of the common parts). A reserve fund
also helps to spread costs between successive tenants and can, if the
leases/tenancy agreements allow, be used, on a temporary basis, to fund
the cost of routine services, avoiding the need to borrow money.
Legislation ensures that the money in a reserve fund, as is the case with
service charge funds and advance payments, is held on trust see
paragraph 10.7.
9.2
The usual method of working out how much money is to go into the
fund each year, assuming the lease/tenancy does not make any other
provision, is to take the expected cost of future works and divide it by
the number of years which may be expected to pass before it is incurred.
However, it is advisable to have new estimates of the cost of replacing the
item from time to time and to adjust payments into the fund to match
costs. If the fund is invested prudently, the interest earned will itself help
to meet rising costs. Tax will be charged on the interest income (see also
Part 11).
9.3
You should be able to justify the contributions to reserves by reference to

the work required, the expected cost and when it is to be carried out.
Experience of similar work should be used in support of the calculations.
It is not considered appropriate for specifications and tenders to be
obtained merely to support the reserve allocation. These will be required
at the time the work is to be carried out. It should be indicated to tenants
that the figures may vary when the work is undertaken.
9.4
Although some tenants may be able to achieve better returns on money

they retain and invest themselves, one of the purposes of reserves is to
facilitate the carrying out of expensive non-annual items of work. Unless
money is accumulated collectively there is always the likelihood of work
not being carried out due to lack of funds. Even if tenants intend to live
at a property for a short period they can achieve financial benefit on sale
by pointing out to purchasers the existence and extent of the reserve
fund.
9.5
You must hold such sums in trust for the purpose of meeting the relevant
costs in relation to the property and they should not be distributed to
tenants when the lease is assigned/terminated, subject to any express
terms of the lease relating to distribution, either before or at the
termination of the lease.
28
S42 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
S42(6) Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
9.6
9.7
If after the termination of any lease there are no longer any contributing
tenants, any trust fund shall be dissolved and any assets comprised in the
fund immediately before dissolution shall, if the payee is the landlord,
be retained by him for his own use and benefit, and in any other case, be
transferred to the landlord by the payee. Again this is subject to any
express terms of the lease relating to distribution, either before or at the
termination of the lease.
S42(7) Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
Funds held for longer terms, or comprising large balances, should be held
in an interest earning account. Funds required to meet day-to-day
expenditure should be immediately accessible. Where reserve funds are
invested this must be invested in accordance with current regulations.
S42 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
A trustee is under a duty to invest the trust funds. The investment must
be in accordance with the terms of the trust, the Trustee Investments Act
1961 or an order made under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (which
enables funds to be deposited at interest with the Bank of England or
with certain institutions under part 4 of the Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000, including a share or deposit account with a building
society, or a European Economic Area firm mentioned in schedule 3 of
the Act). Trustees who want to take advantage of the wider powers of
investment under the Trustee Investment Act 1961 (as amended by the
Trustee Act 2000) should have regard to the provisions of that Act, and to
the various subsequently enacted statutory instruments.
Trustee Investment Act

1961
You should consider holding the reserve fund in the same account as the
service charge fund if the aggregation of the two funds invested will
achieve a better return or exemption from bank charges remembering
that the arrangement must be discrete to the property or contributions
concerned.
Service Charge
Contributions
Order 1988 (SI 1988/1284)
(as amended by the
Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000
(Consequential
Amendments and
Repeals) Order 2001
(SI 2001/3649)
9.8
If tenants are contributing towards different costs (e.g. one group of

tenants contributes towards the lift, whilst another group contributes
towards gardening), the funds should be differentiated. This should be
done by way of different service charge schedules, each totalling 100%.
9.9
You should not differentiate between different items of expenditure in a

reserve fund, e.g. not having separate accounts for lifts and boilers. This
is because you may find yourself with insufficient funds for immediate
expenditure and overprovision for work not required for the foreseeable
future, where contributions are received from tenants contributing
towards the same costs.
Service Charge
Contributions
Order 1988
(SI 1988/1284) (as
amended by the Financial
Services and Markets Act
2000 (Consequential
Amendments and
Repeals) Order 2001
(SI 2001/3649))
Trustee Act 2000

S42(5) Landlord and
Tenant Act 1987
29
9.10 You should review contributions annually and base the amount you
request from tenants on current up-to-date forecasts including fees and
VAT.
9.11 Where funds accumulated are considered to be low, having regard to
future commitments, you should indicate this to tenants.
9.12 A reserve fund can have benefits for both landlords and tenants alike.
Where the lease allows for a reserve fund to be set up but no such fund
exists, you should recommend to your client that a reserve fund be created.
Where the lease does not allow for the collection of reserves, consider
seeking the agreement of the tenants to a variation of leases, or an
application to a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) (see Appendix 1).
30
Part 10
Accounting for service charges
10.1 Often the lease/tenancy agreement will set out the way in which service
charges are to be accounted for, the costs that can be recovered and the
periods of time for which accounts should be prepared. You should
always comply with the provisions of the lease/tenancy agreement (in so
far as they do not conflict with statute) otherwise there may be difficulty
in recovering the expenditure.
10.2 Your accounts should be transparent and reflect all the expenditure in
respect of the accounting period whether paid or accrued. This will
enable the arrears and cash flow to be seen more easily.
10.3 You should present accounts so that they indicate clearly all the income
in respect of the accounting period whether received or receivable.
10.4 You should arrange for service charge accounts to be audited annually
and for copies to be made available to all those contributing to them
where the lease requires this. Otherwise, you should consider the benefits
and costs of an audit with regard to the tenants and the property
concerned (see also Part 12).
10.5 Tenants are only obliged to pay service charges where the tenancy/lease
requires this, where reasonably incurred and where the works have been
carried out to a reasonable standard.
The law protects tenants against costs unreasonably incurred,
unreasonably high charges and services and works that are not of a
reasonable standard. A Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) can be asked
to make a determination on whether costs have been reasonably incurred
or works have been completed to a reasonable standard.

and Tenant Act 1985 (as
inserted by s155(1)
Commonhold and
2002)
If tenants believe that the charges that they are being asked to pay are
unreasonable and they are not satisfied with the managers explanation
then they should seek professional advice or consult either the Citizens
Advice Bureau or a local law centre.
Recognised Tenants Associations have rights to appoint a surveyor
(member of RICS) to advise them on service charge matters. The rights,
in summary, allow the accountant or surveyor to have reasonable access
to inspect the property and documents required to carry out his
functions. This includes access to the common parts of relevant premises,
including the structure and exterior of the building, and reasonable
facilities for taking copies or extracts from documents.
10.6 LVTs have the right to appoint a new manager if they are satisfied that
unreasonable service charges have been made, and they consider it just
and convenient to do so (see Appendix II).
S84 and schedule 4

Housing Act 1996
S24 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
31
10.7 Section 42 requires service charges to be held in trust.

For the purpose of section 42, service charge means an amount payable
by a tenant of a dwelling as part of or in addition to rent:
S42 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
(as amended by schedule
10, paragraph 15 and
schedule 14
Commonhold and
2002)
a) which is payable, directly or indirectly, for services, repairs,

maintenance, improvements or insurance or the landlords costs of
management; and
b) the whole or part of which varies or may vary according to the
relevant costs.
The relevant costs are the costs or estimated costs incurred or to be
incurred by or on behalf of the landlord, or a superior landlord, in
connection with the matters for which the service charge is payable.
S18 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
For this purpose costs include overheads and are relevant costs in
relation to a service charge whether they are incurred, or to be incurred,
in the period for which the service charge is payable or in an earlier or
later period.
S27 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
It does not include service charges payable under the terms of a tenancy
which is regulated by the Rent Act 1977, unless the rent is registered as a
variable rent on the basis that service charges are payable which vary
according to the costs payable from time to time.
10.8 Service charge funds for each property should be identifiable and either
be placed in a separate bank account, or in a single client/trust account
where the accounting records of the manager separately identify the fund
attributable to each property.
10.9 Where interest is earned this belongs to the fund collectively. Interest
should not be distributed to the contributing tenants but should be
shown as a credit in the service charge accounts and should be retained
within the fund and used to defray service charge expenditure.
S42 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
10.10 Where statutory trusts apply, the contributions are held:
S42 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
a) on trust to meet the relevant costs; and

b) subject to that, on trust for the contributing tenants for the time
being in proportion to their respective liability to pay the relevant
service charges. (This does not mean, however, that the tenants are
entitled to any repayment of the service charge fund. Upon the
termination of any tenants lease, his share of any service charge fund
remains part of the service charge fund, and upon the termination
of the last lease, the fund passes over to the landlord.)
32
10.11 The trusts set out in section 42 do not always apply. Where there are
express trusts created by a lease before 1 April 1989, the statutory trusts
apply only to the extent they are not inconsistent with the express trusts.
Also, express or implied trusts created by a lease on or after that date may
vary the statutory trusts in certain respects.
S42 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
10.12 There are two main aspects to the tax treatment of service charges,
namely the tax treatment so far as the landlord is concerned of the service
charge payments receivable, and the tax treatment of income earned on
service charges received before they are spent on the provision of the
relevant services.
10.13 If the statutory trusts apply without any modification, then HM Revenue
& Customs have confirmed that, in its view, so long as the trust terms
are observed:
a) the receipt of service charge payments subject to the section 42 trusts
will not give rise to any tax liability in the hands of the payee;
b) any investment income accrued on the service charge trust fund is
subject to tax, but not at the special trust rates that would otherwise
apply. Instead this income is taxable at the basic rate applicable to
other persons.
Finance Act 2007

Ss 11, 479 and 480
Income Tax Act 2007
10.14 The purpose of this summary is only to draw attention to the general tax
position and it does not refer to all the possible tax charges that can arise
in connection with service charge funds. This summary does not apply
if there is any modification to the statutory trusts, or if they do not apply
to all (e.g. where the service charge payments are governed by express
trusts set out in a lease entered into before 1 April 1989). Specialist advice
should be taken in all cases.
10.15 A trustee is under a duty to invest the trust funds. The investment must
be in accordance with the terms of the trust, the Trustee Investments Act
1961 as amended by the Trustee Act 2000 or an Order made under the
Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (which enables funds to be invested in a
deposit account with certain banks or in a share or deposit account with
a building society). Trustees who want to take advantage of the wider
powers of investment under the Trustee Investments Act 1961 should have
regard to the provisions of that Act.
Trustee Investment Act

1961 (as amended by the
Trustee Act 2000)
10.16 A tenant or the secretary of a Recognised Tenants Association can request

that you provide a summary of relevant costs incurred during the last
accounting year or, where accounts are not kept on that basis, the 12
months before the tenants request. You must comply with the request
within one month of the request or within six months after the end of
the accounting period, whichever is later.
S21 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
S42(5) Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
Service Charge
Contributions
Order 1988
(SI 1988/1284) (as
amended by the Financial
Services and Markets Act
2000 (Consequential and
Repeals) Order 2001
(SI 2001/3649))
33
10.17 The summary provided in response to a request must cover all costs
incurred by the landlord for works and services, etc. showing how they
are reflected or will be reflected in demands for service charges. The
reasonable cost of preparation of the summary and its certification (see
paragraph 11.20 below) is properly chargeable to the service charge
account.
S21 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
10.18 The summary must distinguish between items/costs for which no

payment has been demanded of the landlord within the period to which
the summary relates; for which payment has been demanded of the
landlord but not paid within that period; and for which the landlord has
paid within that period.
S21 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
10.19 The summary must also include the total of any money received by the
landlord for service charges and still standing to the credit of the tenants
paying these charges at the end of the period, and any costs which relate
to works for which grants have been or will be paid and show how they
have been reflected in the service charge demands.
S21 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
10.20 If the service charges are payable by the tenants of more than four
dwellings, the summary must be certified by a qualified accountant as a
fair summary sufficiently supported by accounts, receipts and other
documents which have been produced to him.
S21(6) Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
Qualified accountant means a member of one of the following:

a) the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales;
S28 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
b) the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland;

c) the Association of Certified Accountants; or
d) the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
However, certain persons are disqualified from acting as the qualified
accountant even though they are a member of the above bodies. See
section 28 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 for more details.
10.21 You must notify the tenants in writing of costs incurred within 18
months of incurring those costs or the costs will not be recoverable.
S20B Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
10.22 If within six months of receiving the summary under section 21 (see
paragraph 10.16) a tenant or the secretary of a Recognised Tenants
Association makes a request to inspect the accounts, receipts and other
supporting documents, you must provide such an opportunity. You must
not charge for the inspection and copies or extracts from any documents
supporting the summary may be taken. You are not precluded from
including a reasonable cost of the inspection in the cost of management.
S22 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
10.23 Any charge made for providing copies of any documents or having a
member of your staff in attendance must be reasonable.
34
10.24 You must respond to the tenants or Recognised Tenants Associations

secretarys request in writing to inspect the accounts, receipts and other
supporting documents within one month, and must allow them a period
of two months beginning no later than one month after the request is
made, to inspect the accounts, receipts and other documents supporting
the last accounts or the expenditure in the last twelve months.
S22 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
10.25 If you act for an intermediate landlord who does not possess all the
relevant information or documents, you must make a written request
for them to the superior landlord.
S23 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
10.26 The procedure is different depending on whether the tenant or

Recognised Tenants Association asks for a summary of services charges
or facilities to inspect supporting documents. Where a request is made
for a summary the intermediate landlord must make a written request to
his superior landlord who must in turn comply within a reasonable time.
Where a request is made for facilities to inspect, the landlord must inform
the tenant or Recognised Tenants Association of the name and address of
the superior landlord, to whom they should address the request instead as
section 22 would apply to the superior landlord in this case.
Ss 21, 22 and 23
1985
10.27 If you fail to comply with the requirements in sections 21, 22 and 23 of
the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (see above) without reasonable excuse
you will be committing a summary offence and will be liable on
conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (2,500).
S25 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
10.28 When a tenant has paid service charges in advance the amount payable
must be reasonable and you must repay any excess paid, or deduct it from
subsequent charges, as the lease directs once the costs have been incurred.
Advance payments and actual expenditure should be presented clearly.
S19(2) Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
S37 Criminal Justice Act

1982
35
Part 11
Audit of service charge accounts
11.1 Unless the costs of an audit cannot be recovered, service charge accounts
should be audited by a suitably qualified accountant who complies with
the requirements laid down in section 28 of the Landlord and Tenant Act
1985. This provides protection for tenants both when the property is
managed by a managing agent or the landlord, or by a group of tenants
acting formally or informally.
S28 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
11.2 Where an audit is to be carried out you should ensure that this is in
accordance with auditing standards, practice notes and bulletins issued
by the Auditing Practices Board (APB) and Auditing Guidelines, in force
and adopted by the APB.
11.3 You should be prepared to answer auditors questions relative to items of
expenditure and variations between estimated and actual expenditure.
11.4 Where you act for a limited liability management company you should
advise the officers of the company to ensure that company accounts are
audited where required and that annual returns are made to the Registrar
of Companies and that AGMs are called.
Companies Act 1985

(as amended)
11.5 Auditors should question managers over significant items of expenditure

as well as variations between estimated and actual expenditure. You
should be prepared to make a statement about the basis and allocations
against which auditors can form their opinion.
Auditors specific
responsibility
36
Part 12
Contractors
12.1 Normally the landlord or management company should be the employer
under any contract, not the managing agent.
12.2 All persons, including managing agents and landlords, should only
undertake property related repairs where they are competent to do so.
12.3 You should deal with contractors on behalf of landlords with attention
to questions of economy, efficiency, quality of service, speed and in
accordance with instructions from the landlord and having regard to
health and safety. Where a contractor is engaged with whom you have a
financial or other connection you should declare this to the landlord and
the tenants, bearing in mind the consultation requirements in parts 13.17
and 13.18.
12.4 You should select contractors suitable to provide the service involved to
a reasonable minimum standard having due regard to the size and nature
of the contract, and comply where appropriate with the Construction
(Design and Management) Regulations 2007. Contractors should, where
possible, be members of a relevant trade organisation, which has
published a code of practice for the assessment of its members. You
should also have regard to the statutory requirements to consult on long
term agreements or qualifying works where costs to any service charge
payer exceeds specific amounts. See paragraphs 7.4 and 7.5 and 13.17
and 13.18. See also paragraphs 13.19 to 13.21.
Construction (Design and

Management)
Regulations 2007
(SI 2007/320)
S20 Landlord and
Tenant Act 1985
(as amended by s151
Commonhold and
2002)
Service Charges
(Consultation
Regulations 2003
(SI 2003/1987)
Service Charges
(Consultation
Requirements)
(Amendment) (No 2)
2004 (SI 2004/2939)
12.5 When you engage contractors for major work you should define their
duties. You should take all reasonable steps to ensure that contractors
carry out their duties promptly and to a reasonable minimum standard,
e.g. by use of competitive tender, written contracts with detailed
provisions, arrangements for staged payments and liquidated damages.
You should have in place a procedure for instructing contractors,
indicating to them where appropriate the expected response time. You
should inform the tenants that the contractor has been instructed to deal
with the repairs, and should keep them informed of progress.
37
12.6 You must require that all contractors comply with the health and safety
legislation and Health and Safety Executive Guidance Notes. You should
take appropriate care as to the security of and the avoidance of damage
to tenants possessions and the avoidance of unreasonable disturbance
while undertaking the works. There should be a procedure to deal with
complaints by tenants alleging unsatisfactory work or damage.
Harassment of tenants is strictly forbidden and if proven can result in a
fine and/or imprisonment.
12.7 You should verify that all contractors maintain appropriate and current
public liability insurance.
12.8 The subject of the Construction Industry Scheme and the requirement
to deduct tax when making payments is important for managing agents
and landlords. The Construction Industry Scheme is complicated and
there are penalties for those who fail to comply with it especially in
relation to the verification of registration cards, tax certificates and tax
vouchers. If you are in any doubt about your responsibilities under the
scheme you should seek professional advice.
12.9 You should ensure that you have sufficient funds prior to instructing a
contractor, or that the method of payment has been agreed prior to
works commencing between all parties.
12.10 Contractors should issue appropriately detailed invoices for all works
carried out, however minor, which state clearly what the charges are for.
38
Ss 27 and 28 Housing
schedule 2, paragraph
79(1) Planning
(Consequential
Provisions) Act 1990)
Protection from
Harassment Act 1997
Part 13
Repairs
13.1 The responsibilities of the parties with regard to repairs should be set
out in the lease(s)/tenancy agreement(s).
If the terms of long leases are inadequate, variations can be sought (see
Appendix I).
13.2 The landlord owes to all persons who might reasonably be expected to be
affected by defects in the state of the premises they own, a duty to take
such care as is reasonable in all the circumstances to see that they are
reasonably safe from personal injury or from damage to their property
caused by a relevant defect. A manager acting on behalf of the landlord
also has this duty of care. This can include for example, taking reasonable
care to repair paths, driveways and car parking areas so that they are
reasonably safe to use, and clearing gutters, down pipes and gullies when
necessary.
S4 Defective Premises
Act 1972
13.3 You should ensure that all reasonable and appropriate insurances for
common parts are in place and reviewed and renewed annually. See also
Part 15 of this Code.
13.4 You should notify tenants how and to whom repairs should be reported
and you should have an established procedure for dealing with urgent
repair work, particularly out-of-office hours. On-site staff should be
aware of the extent of their authority to order urgent repair work.
13.5 You should deal promptly with tenants reports of disrepair, the remedy
of which is the landlords responsibility, in a manner appropriate to their
urgency.
13.6 Where the landlord is responsible under the terms of the lease/tenancy
agreement or by statute for repairs, the lease/tenancy agreement may
stipulate the procedure for you to inspect the property and to view its
condition. If this is stated in the agreement, then it must be complied
with. If access is required to residents homes then reasonable notice
should be given in accordance with the lease/tenancy agreement unless
in cases of emergencies. If not, you should inspect the condition and state
of repair of the property at reasonable times of the day, provided that
reasonable notice in writing (at least 24 hours) has been given to the
tenant.
S148 (protected
tenancies) Rent Act
1977
S11 (short leases)
1985
S16 (assured tenancies)
Housing Act 1988
13.7 You should, however, give tenants as much notice as possible that you
require access and have due regard to their valid difficulties in providing
access during normal working hours.
39
13.8 The lease/tenancy agreement should contain provision for entry in

emergencies. You should endeavour to identify and maintain a record of
emergency access details. You should only gain entry with the express
consent of the tenant or in the case of a genuine emergency you should
only consider forcing entry if the tenant is unavailable or does not answer
and if it is an emergency event such as a fire, gas escape, electrical
dangers, or escape of water from the property which affects other
property. You are advised to try to obtain alternative access arrangements
for emergencies and warn that if this information is not forthcoming or
updated, emergencies could involve forced entry and expenses including
your own costs, which could be charged to the tenant. In the absence of
the emergency services, you should consider seeking an independent
witness to a forced entry, inform the police and maintain appropriate
records.
13.9 You should arrange for repairs to be undertaken to completion in a
reasonable time and, if necessary, to a pre-agreed programme. Works you
arrange should be carried out so as not to cause undue inconvenience.
You should consult tenants before a programme of works is commenced
unless urgency or the lease/tenancy agreement dictates otherwise.
13.10 Works you arrange should be carried out to a reasonable minimum
standard so that, unless they are of a temporary nature, they do not need
to be repeated within a short period relative to their nature and
reasonable expectations of them. Repair work should be cost effective
taking into account its durability and expense. In the long term it may
prove more cost effective to replace than to continue to repair. In certain
circumstances work which is considered not to be of a reasonable
standard can be the subject of court action on the basis of a breach of
contract.
13.11 Where the lease does not stipulate a maintenance regime, you should
discuss with your clients, and propose to tenants, a programme of cyclical
maintenance for parts of the buildings, including plant and services,
which require regular maintenance. The programme should reflect a
realistic cost of maintenance, including periodic redecoration work. A
budget for the cost of maintenance should be included in each years
service charge to ensure an adequate fund to meet the cost where
permitted in the lease. You should be aware of the adverse cost
implications for older buildings.
13.12 You should consider the use of experienced or qualified building
consultants/specialists, having regard to the size and complexity of the
project. Their use should also be considered for the carrying out of
periodical inspections to identify defects. The building specialist should
also inspect reported defects before work is done if it is likely to be
complicated, costly or if it was poorly defined when reported.
13.13 When arranging new construction works you should be aware that
tenants are entitled to the quiet enjoyment of their homes, and you
should seek to minimise disruption.
40
13.14 You should consult tenants on the details and programme for carrying
out such works. Reasonable allowance should be made in the programme
for tenants absence, for example when they are away from the property
when the works are being undertaken and access is required.
13.15 Health and safety
There are extensive health and safety codes and regulations that affect
the management of residential property. It is important that you take
steps to identify the ones that are applicable. Appendix 3 indicates some
which may be relevant, but the list is not exhaustive. These regulations
exist to ensure that, among other things: all places of work are
maintained in a safe and healthy condition; all entrances and exits are
safe, without risks and unobstructed at all times; all plant and equipment
is maintained in a safe and healthy condition; all employees are provided
(where appropriate) with protective clothing and/or equipment and
given proper instruction on their use; all appropriate signage and safety
notices are properly displayed; all necessary instruction, training and
supervision of employees is provided to ensure health and safety;
competent people are appointed to assist in health and safety matters;
and fire regulations are complied with.
Managers should satisfy themselves that all buildings under their
management meet the relevant standards under the health and safety
regulations. Where they do not, property managers should ensure that
corrective action is taken or that problems are brought to the owners
attention.
Occupying tenants should be aware of their responsibilities under the
lease/tenancy. Employees and subcontractors of the managing agent
should have been properly advised and provided with appropriate
training. Managing agents should have office procedures in place to
ensure that health and safety matters are referred to in any paperwork
involving the employment of contractors.
13.16 Consultation on long term agreements and qualifying works
In certain circumstances you must consult tenants who pay service
charges if you are proposing to enter into any long term agreements or
carry out works above prescribed amounts.
S20 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985 (as
amended by s151
Commonhold and
2002)
Service Charges
(Consultation
Regulations 2003
(SI 2003/1987)
Service Charges
(Consultation
Requirements)
(Amendment) (No 2)
2004 (SI 2004/2939)
41
13.17 Qualifying works (see also Part 7)

Consultation requirements apply where the landlord or manager on the
landlords behalf proposes to carry out works where the relevant
contribution (including VAT) of any tenant exceeds 250. You must refer
to the detailed regulations for further information.
S20 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985 (as
amended by s151
Commonhold and
2002)
A notice of intention as prescribed in regulations needs to be served on

each tenant contributing towards the service charges plus the secretary
of any Recognised Tenants Association. Having taken account of any
observations and nominations for contractors, you must obtain at least
two estimates one of which must be from a firm wholly unconnected
with you or the landlord.
Service Charges
(Consultation
Regulations 2003
(SI 2003/1987)
Following receipt of the estimates you must follow the statutory

requirements. Failure to meet those requirements may result in you being
unable to recover charges beyond the statutory limit of 250 per service
charge payer (unless you have obtained a dispensation from a Leasehold
Valuation Tribunal (LVT)).
Ss 20 and 20ZA
1985 (as amended by
s151 Commonhold and
2002)
Service Charges
(Consultation
Regulations 2003
(SI 2003/1987)
13.18 Qualifying long term agreements (see also Part 7)

Similar provisions and notices apply to works and services contracted
for a period of more than 12 months and where the cost to any tenant
will be more than 100 (including VAT) per annum in any relevant
accounting period. You must refer to the detailed regulations for further
information.
You must serve notices on each tenant contributing to the costs and on
the secretary of any Recognised Tenants Association.
Failure to comply with the detailed statutory requirements may result in
you being unable to recover charges beyond the statutory limit outlined
above (100) per service charge payer (unless you have obtained a
dispensation from the need to consult from a LVT).
S20 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
(as amended by s151
Commonhold and
2002)
Service Charges
(Consultation
Regulations 2003
(SI 2003/1987)
Service Charges
(Consultation
Requirements)
(Amendment) (No 2)
2004 (SI 2004/2939)
Ss 20 and 20ZA
1985 (as amended by
s151 Commonhold and
2002)
13.19 In most cases both landlords and tenants have the right to apply to a LVT
before or after a service charge is incurred, for a determination as to the
liability to pay a service charge and if so as to:
a) the person by whom it is payable;
b) the person to whom it is payable;
c) the amount which is payable;
42
S27A Landlord and

by s151 Commonhold
Act 2002)
d) the date at or by which it is payable; and

e) the manner in which it is payable.
The same rights apply where costs have yet to be incurred for services, etc.
whether or not any payment has been made.
A tenant is also not to be taken as to have agreed or admitted any matter
by reason only of having made any payment.
13.20 Recognised Tenants Associations have rights to appoint qualified
surveyors who are members of RICS to advise them on service charge
matters. Such surveyors have rights to reasonable access, with notice, to
inspect documents and the common parts of relevant premises,
including the structure and exterior of the building. Reasonable facilities
for taking copies or extracts from documents have to be provided.
Two or more qualifying tenants of the same landlord are entitled to have
a management audit carried out on their behalf, as is a single qualifying
tenant where there is no other dwelling in the premises. This will enable
an investigation for the purpose of ascertaining whether the management
functions and expenditure of service charges are being discharged in an
efficient and effective manner.
S84 and schedule 4

Housing Act 1996
S76 Leasehold Reform,

Housing and Urban
Development Act 1993
13.21 Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT)

The role of a LVT has been considerably widened. LVTs now have
jurisdiction in respect of:
section 20 consultation procedures and applications to dispense with

these procedures. See paragraphs 7.4 and 7.5 and 13.17 and 13.18;
service charge recovery in terms of the liability to pay and

reasonableness;
administration charge recovery in terms of the liability to pay and

reasonableness;
variation of leases;
appointment of managers;
Right to Manage (RTM) disputes over eligibility, costs in dealing

with a notice for RTM, uncommitted service charges and other
related issues.
Further guidance on LVT jurisdiction is available from the website

www.rpts.gov.uk
43
Part 14
Works to extend or develop an
existing block or new phase
14.1 When arranging new construction works you should have regard to any
requirements under the terms of the leases, be aware that tenants are
entitled to the quiet enjoyment of their homes, and should seek to
minimise disruption.
14.2 You should consult tenants on the details of and programme for carrying
out such works and reasonable allowance should be made in the
programme if possible for tenants absence, for example when they are
away from the property, when the works are being undertaken and access
is required.
14.3 Following an increase in occupied floor area, you should discuss with
your client/landlord reapportionment of tenants responsibilities for
making financial or other contributions. You should be aware, and make
your client aware, that alterations in obligations or rights under existing
leases can only be made with the consent of the tenants or, in certain
circumstances, by order of a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT), or by
a court.
44
Part 15
Insurance
15.1 Significant restrictions are now placed on managing agents acting in
various insurance matters. These restrictions are administered by the
Financial Services Authority and regulations allow varying levels of
involvement subject to strict procedures being adhered to.
All parties should be aware of the risks to the interests of both landlords
and tenants if sufficient insurance does not exist. This applies across the
whole of Part 15.
15.2 General Insurance Regulations
The Financial Services Authority is an independent body set up by
government to regulate financial services in the UK.
You should be aware that if your business helps its customers to buy
insurance products or claim from them (even if that is not your main
business or you do it in a small way) you will be affected by general
insurance regulations issued by the FSA under the Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000. Further information about the regulations can be
obtained from the Financial Services Authority.
Before carrying out any insurance related work you must ensure that you
are authorised to do so.
You will be acting illegally and could be fined or imprisoned if you
continue to help your customers with insurance products without either
getting permission from the FSA, or arrange to be exempt, for example
by being regulated through the RICS Designated Professional Body
scheme. This scheme means that RICS is able to grant a licence to firms
and regulate them for the purpose of general insurance activities.
15.3 Usually the obligations of the parties will be set out in the lease. You
should make both landlord and tenant aware of their responsibilities and
the desirability of insurance.
15.4 Where the obligations are not set out in the lease, a manager should draw
the landlords attention to the risks for which the property and its
facilities are insured.
15.5 You should have available sufficient detail of the building insurance to
enable a claim to be made if necessary.
15.6 When a claim arises and you are authorised to undertake this work you
should process it promptly. A charge may be made for this depending upon
your terms of engagement. You should not judge the merits of a claim but
you may consider it necessary for both the landlord and the tenant to sign
the claim form. Where you are not authorised to undertake this work the
matter should be referred to the broker to deal with through either the
Financial Services Authority or the Designated Professional Body.
45
15.7 You should keep the tenant informed on the progress of a claim or
provide him with sufficient details to enable him to pursue the matter
himself if he is dissatisfied.
15.8 Claims settlements are normally payable to the insured but should be
treated as belonging to the persons suffering damage. You should not
therefore deduct (unless otherwise agreed) arrears or other payments
due when passing them on to the claimant.
15.9 You are recommended to obtain a mandate allowing you or the claimant
to receive insurance claims payments, as these are often made payable to
the insured who may not be the beneficiary of the claim.
15.10 Where a tenant pays a service charge which consists of or includes an
amount payable directly or indirectly for insurance, the tenant or secretary
of a Recognised Tenants Association can ask you in writing for a written
summary of the current insurance cover, which must be provided within 21
days beginning with the day on which the notice is received. The summary
must set out the name of the insurer, the risks covered in the policy and the
sum for which the property is insured. Alternatively, you can provide a copy
of every relevant policy. Failure to comply with these requirements, without
reasonable excuse, is a criminal (summary) offence subject to a fine, on
conviction, not exceeding level 4 (2,500) on the standard scale.
The tenant or secretary of a Recognised Tenants Association can also ask
to inspect the insurance policy, together with supporting documents
giving evidence of payment of premiums due in the current period and
that immediately preceding it. The tenant or secretary of a Recognised
Tenants Association can take copies, or can require that copies or extracts
from a policy are either sent to him or arrangements made to collect
them. Compliance is required within 21 days from the day on which the
notice is received, and if served on you as the agent, you should forward
it as soon as possible to the landlord.
15.11 Facilities for the inspection of insurance documents must be made
available free of charge. However, a reasonable amount may be charged
as part of the costs of management. A reasonable charge may also be
made for doing anything else in compliance with a requirement imposed
by a notice served under the legislation. Failure to comply, without
reasonable excuse, is a criminal (summary) offence subject to a fine, on
conviction, not exceeding level 4 (2,500) on the standard scale.
15.12 You should also consider insuring for the provision of alternative
accommodation, if necessary over and above that provided for in a
standard household policy, and where appropriate for the employers
liability, legal fees, fidelity, engineering, public liability and communal
contents so as to protect the parties as far as reasonably possible from
unexpected liabilities. In particular, serious consideration should be
given to the taking out of terrorism insurance. Directors and officers
insurance, where applicable, should be included.
46
S30A Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985 (as
inserted by s43(1)
1987 and modified by
paragraph 5 of schedule
7 Commonhold and
2002)
Schedule 1 Landlord
and Tenant Act 1985
(substituted by schedule
10 Commonhold and
2002)
S30A Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985 (as
inserted by s43(1)
1987 and modified by
paragraph 5 of schedule
7 Commonhold and
2002)
Schedule 1 Landlord
and Tenant Act 1985
(substituted by schedule
10 Commonhold and
2002)
15.13 When so instructed, you should arrange the various insurances in

accordance with the landlords instructions in compliance with the lease.
You should regularly review the extent of cover and the level of
premiums.
15.14 You should notify insurers of claims at the earliest opportunity. You
should be aware that tenants have a right to notify insurers of possible
claims.
Schedule 1, paragraph 7
Landlord and Tenant
Act 1985 (inserted by
section 43(2) Landlord
and Tenant Act 1987)
15.15 When a claim has to be made for an insured risk on a buildings policy,
it is common for the claim to be the subject of excess imposed by the
insurance company. This should be considered part of the cost of
insurance, otherwise it would be impossible to insure certain buildings
without excess or alternatively the premium would be extraordinarily
high and uneconomic. In these circumstances you should consider
whether the terms of the lease/tenancy agreement contain a provision
that where an insurance claim is as a result of a negligent act by the
tenant, you are entitled to recover the excess from the tenant.
15.16 Valuations for insurance purposes
You should consider this on a regular basis and instruct for such
valuations to be carried out when necessary, usually conveniently before
the annual renewal. Valuations must be carried out by qualified valuers
with appropriate skill and experience in the types of properties being
assessed, with their fees normally being regarded as a service charge item
where allowed.
15.17 Where individual tenants within a block are responsible for insuring the
dwelling and a landlord has the right to nominate or approve the
insurers, tenants can apply to a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) to
determine whether the insurance from the nominated insurer is
unsatisfactory, or the premiums payable are excessive.
15.18 An employer must display a copy of his current certificate of employers
liability insurance at each place of business at which he employs staff
who may be covered by the insurance. Employers may satisfy this
requirement by displaying the employers liability certificate in electronic
format providing that it is accessible by all employees.
S4 Employers Liability
(Compulsory Insurance)
Act 1969
Employers Liability
Regulations 1998
(SI 1998/2573)
Employers Liability
(Amendment)
Regulations 2008
(SI 2008/1765)
15.19 You should, in selecting the insurance company, have regard to your
experience of that companys handling of claims and general terms as
well as the premium being charged.
15.20 Where insured reinstatement/damage is charged to the service charge
account, the related monies received as a result of an insurance claim
should be credited to that account.
47
Part 16
Provision of information
16.1 Many other sections within this Code refer to legislation which requires
specific information to be given to tenants. In certain circumstances the
following information must be provided. This is not an exhaustive list.
16.2 Landlords name and address
You must provide the tenant with an address in England and Wales for
the service of notices. This could be the landlords own address. Until
such information is provided any rent, service charge or administration
charge is deemed not to be lawfully due from the tenant. Where a written
demand is issued to a tenant, it must contain the landlords name and
address and if that address is not in England and Wales an address in
England and Wales at which the tenant may serve notices of proceedings
on the landlord.
and Tenant Act 1987
S166 Commonhold and
2002
16.3 You should at the commencement of the lease/tenancy, and must within
21 days of a written request, give the tenant the name and address of the
landlord. If the landlord is a company and the tenant makes a further
request, after receiving the name and address of the landlord, then you
must also give the name and address of the directors and secretary of the
company within 21 days of that further request. Failure without
reasonable excuse to comply with these requests is a summary offence
liable to a fine on conviction not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale
(2,500).

Tenant Act 1985
16.4 A tenant may also request the name and address of every person who
owns a freehold interest in the property, including any superior leasehold
interest in the property. You must provide the information within 28
days.

Housing and Urban
16.5 Management policy

You should manage the property on as open and transparent a basis as
is practicable, subject to maintaining confidentiality in respect of
personal information. You should explain to the tenant your relationship
with the landlord. Any interest, financial or otherwise, you may have in
any companies employed to provide services should be provided,
following written request or declared voluntarily.
16.6 Landlords change of address
Landlords should inform the manager or, in the event of there being no
managing agent, the tenant, of any change of address, especially if they
are going abroad. Managing agents must be aware of the provision of the
Finance Acts 1995 and 2007 especially with regard to the requirements to
deduct tax from rent received.
48
Finance Acts 1995 and

2007
16.7 New landlord

A landlord who has just acquired the property must give notice in writing
of the purchase and of his name and address to the tenants not later than the
next day on which rent or service charge is payable under the lease/tenancy,
or if that is within two months after the assignment not later than the end
of that period of two months. Where the tenant has rights of first refusal (see
Appendix II) additional information must be given: that the tenant had
such rights, that the tenant may (with other qualifying tenants) have rights
to information about the disposal and to acquire the landlords interest,
and must give the time limit for exercise of these rights.
16.8 The new landlord will be committing a criminal (summary) offence if he
fails to give this information without reasonable excuse. A local housing
authority has the power to bring proceedings. The old landlord as well
as the new one is liable for any breaches of the landlords covenants, etc.
until the tenants have been notified of the identity of the new landlord
(by either the former or current landlord).
S3 Landlord and Tenant

Act 1985
S3A Landlord and
Tenant Act 1985
S34 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
S3 Landlord and Tenant
Act 1985
S3A Landlord and
Tenant Act 1985
16.9 Change of occupier or correspondence address

Tenants should tell the manager in writing about any change of occupier
and any change in their own address. This is for security reasons, and
because they are entitled to receive certain information, e.g. ground rent.
It is also in the interest of good estate management. Tenants also have
ongoing responsibilities under the terms of their leases. It may also be
helpful for tenants to tell the manager if they are going to be absent for
more than four weeks, although there is no statutory or other
requirement for them to do so.
16.10 Change of managers/managing agents
Likewise, managers should tell tenants in writing about any change of
address or where they no longer manage the property.
16.11 Demands for service or administration charges, or ground rent
Information relating to tenants rights and obligations must be sent with
any demand for service or administration charges. If this is not sent
payment can be withheld. The particular wording and other
requirements to be used for each summary are specified in regulations.
Likewise, ground rent does not become payable until it has been
demanded using the particular form of notice specified in regulations.
S21B Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
Service Charges
Obligations, and
Transitional Provision)
2007 (SI 2007/1257)
Schedule 11
Commonhold and
2002
Regulations 2007
(SI 2007/1258)
S166 Commonhold and
2002
Landlord and Tenant
(Notice of Rent)
2004 (SI 2004/3096)
49
16.12 Sales of individual dwellings

Information which will be of interest to prospective purchasers of
individual leasehold homes is often held by the landlord or managing
agent (manager), and where documentary information has not been
retained by the tenant the landlord or manager may be the only
reasonable source of such information.
There are statutory rights for tenants to obtain certain information
(explained in other parts of this Code), including insurance and service
charge information. However, provision by the landlord or manager of
information or documents sought in respect of the sale of a dwelling is
regarded as good practice and helpful to all parties. Such requests are
likely to be as a result of the need for a seller to compile a Home
Information Pack (HIP), or in respect of pre-contract enquiries.
HIPs
Legislation requires a HIP to be prepared and made available to
prospective purchasers for all residential properties marketed for sale.
From 1 January 2009 it became mandatory to include an official copy of
the lease in the HIP for a leasehold property. In addition, from 6 April
2009 it became mandatory to include the Property Information
Questionnaire (PIQ) in the HIP. Sellers can continue to include
additional leasehold documents within the HIP if they wish to do so but
there is no statutory requirement.
Whilst the seller should be in a position to complete the leasehold
summary within the PIQ and either possess a copy of the lease or be able
to obtain an official copy from the Land Registry, requests for
information may still be received in respect of the compilation of the
HIP prior to marketing of a home for sale. Such requests would normally
be made by or on behalf of a seller.
As the person responsible for managing the property you should supply
any relevant information required for the HIP if requested to do so and
in your possession.
When supplying information and documents, either for the HIP or just
generally, you should make it clear to tenants that should they wish to sell
the property in the future it would be useful to retain the documents.
Pre-contract enquiries
Information can also be requested in respect of pre-contract enquiries,
which would normally occur at a later point during the sale process. Precontract enquiries would most commonly be made by or on behalf of
the purchaser, through the seller or their representative.
You should supply prospective sellers, or their representatives, with
information about the premises that you manage to satisfy the precontract enquiries and any other reasonable enquiries they may have.
The information sought may vary, but in most cases is likely to be of a
standard nature and could include information about:
50
Housing Act 2004

Home Information Pack
(No 2) Regulations 2007
(SI 2007/1667)
Housing Act 2004
(Commencement No 8)
(England and Wales)
Order 2007
(SI 2007/1668)
Housing Act 2004

(Commencement No 9)
(England and Wales)
Order 2007
(SI 2007/2471)

(Amendment)
Regulations 2007
(SI 2007/3301)
Housing Act 2004

(Commencement No 10)
(England and Wales)
Order 2007
(SI 2007/3308)

(Amendment)
Regulations 2008
(SI 2008/572)
Housing Act 2004

(Commencement No 11)
(England and Wales)
Order 2008
(SI 2008/898)

(Amendment) (No 2)
Regulations 2008 (SI
2008/1266)

(Amendment) (No 3)
Regulations 2008
(SI 2008/3107)
the landlord;
ownership of the block (e.g. has the right to enfranchise been

exercised);
management (including any Memorandum and Articles);
other formal/informal arrangements affecting the property;
Residents Associations;
ground rent;
service charges, sinking funds, major works (existing and future

plans) and other maintenance related agreements;
insurance;
disputes (including recent Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) or

court cases);
complaints;
notices/consents/ risk assessments; and
other general information (e.g. number of flats).
General
Where information and/or copies of documents are requested you
should provide it within reasonable timescales.
Any charge that can be made should be reasonable, and you should be
aware that you may be liable to your client, sellers and purchasers, for
the accuracy of the information you supply.
You should publish a list of proposed charges where possible (as referred
to in Part 2 of the Code), and indicate what the timescales are likely to be
(It is recommended that a response to an enquiry should be sent no more
than ten working days from receipt of the request. This information
should be made available on request, and be available online where
possible.
51
Part 17
Residents/Tenants Associations
17.1 Tenants may get together to form a Recognised Tenants Association,
which is a type of association that has established statutory rights. The
creation of an association can bring advantages to the management in
general, and in particular can ease communication with the tenants to
establish what they want and to appreciate the differing points of view.
It is desirable to establish how representative the association is and to
seek a copy of its constitution at regular intervals, as well as its
membership list. You should be informed when officers of the association
change.
S29 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
17.2 A tenants association can be recognised by a written notice from the

landlord, or alternatively by application to a Rent Assessment Committee
which may grant a certificate of recognition. A notice withdrawing
recognition of a Recognised Tenants Association can be given by the
landlord, to take effect no earlier than six months after the notice is given,
but only where the landlord has given written recognition. A certificate
given by the Rent Assessment Committee can only be cancelled by a
member of the Rent Assessment Committee panel.
S29 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
17.3 Where a Recognised Tenants Association has no secretary, the manager

should arrange with the chairman or other responsible officer to
nominate a substitute officer to receive notices on behalf of the
Association.
17.4 The landlord must provide to a Recognised Tenants Association on
written request details relating to the appointment, employment or
proposed employment of a managing agent and allow a reasonable
period for them to comment, including on the managing agents duties
and performance. The landlord must state which of their obligations it
is proposed that the agent should discharge, and must allow a period of
at least one month for comments to be sent to a person named by the
landlord at an address in the UK. The landlord shall have regard to
observations made by the association.
S30B Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
The landlord must provide the details and invite comment every five
years thereafter and whenever the landlord appoints a new managing
agent, if a notice has previously been served by a Recognised Tenants
Association.
17.5 If requested, you must send a summary of service charges to the secretary
of the Recognised Tenants Association, and provide an opportunity for
the secretary of a Recognised Tenants Association to inspect the
accounts, receipts and other documents supporting the service charge.
You must not charge the secretary for inspection, although the cost of
the inspection can be included in the cost of management. You must
allow copies or extracts to be taken from any document, although for
this service you can levy a reasonable charge.
52
and Tenant Act 1985
17.6 Recognised Tenants Associations have rights to appoint qualified

surveyors who are members of RICS to advise on service charges. The
surveyor has the right to request reasonable access to inspect documents
and also to the common parts of relevant premises, including the
structure and exterior of the building. Reasonable facilities for taking
copies or extracts from documents must be given.
Two or more qualifying tenants of the same landlord are entitled to have
a management audit carried out on their behalf, as is a single qualifying
tenant where there is no other dwelling in the premises. This will enable
an investigation for the purpose of ascertaining whether the management
functions and expenditure of service charges are being discharged in an
efficient and effective manner.
S84 and schedule 4

Housing Act 1996

Housing and Urban
17.7 Insurance
If requested, within a period of 21 days the landlord must provide the
secretary of a Recognised Tenants Association with a written summary
of the insurance cover. If requested, the original policy or associated
documents must also be made available for inspection and reasonable
facilities afforded for taking copies or extracts. If requested, copies or
extracts must be taken and either sent to the secretary, or facilities
allowed for collecting them. Failure to comply without reasonable excuse
is a summary offence, subject on conviction to a fine not exceeding level
4 on the standard scale (2,500). If a superior landlord insures, a written
application must be made to him for insurance details.
17.8 Recognised Tenants Associations have rights to nominate contractors
for major works and long term agreements.
Schedule Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
(as amended by schedule
10 (8 and 9)
Commonhold and
2002)
S20 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
(as amended by s151
Commonhold and
2002)
Service Charges
(Consultation
Regulations
(SI 2003/1987)
53
Part 18
Consultation
18.1 It is better to keep in touch with tenants than to remain silent and the
legislative requirements to consult where qualifying works and long term
agreements are concerned (see Parts 7 and 13) should be regarded as the
minimum standard required, not the optimum.
18.2 You should be aware that by law, you must consult tenants about works
which are to be carried out at a cost above the statutory limits. Parts 7 and
13 provide further information on this.
Ss 20 and 20ZA
1985 (as amended by
s151 Commonhold and
2002)
Service Charges
(Consultation
Regulations
(SI 2003/1987)
18.3 Where there is no Recognised Tenants Association acting for the tenants
you should consult tenants individually and, if appropriate, hold
meetings. When a meeting is convened, the manager should give
reasonable notice of it to all tenants including the place, date and time of
the meeting and the matters to be considered.
18.4 Managing agent
A Recognised Tenants Association has the right to serve notice on the
landlord asking him to consult with the association about the
appointment or employment of a managing agent.
S30B Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
18.5 When such a notice has been served and it is proposed to appoint or
reappoint a managing agent, the landlord must serve a notice on the
association stating the name of the proposed managing agent, and which
of the landlords obligations it is proposed that the agent should
discharge. The landlord must allow a period of at least one month for
comments to be sent to a person named by the landlord at an address in
the UK. The landlord shall have regard to observations made by the
association.
S30B Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
18.6 On written request the landlord must provide the secretary of a

Recognised Tenants Association with details of the managing agents
duties and allow a reasonable period for them to comment on the
managing agents duties and performance. The landlord must provide
the details and invite comment every five years thereafter and whenever
the landlord appoints a new managing agent, if a notice has previously
been served by a recognised Tenants Association.
S30 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
(as inserted by s44
Landlord and Tenant
Act 1987)
54
Landlords specific
responsibility
Part 19
Disputes between occupiers
19.1 You should have clear policies and procedures for handling disputes
between occupiers and complaints of nuisance from neighbours. The
procedures you adopt for handling disputes should be available and their
existence made known to both the landlord and tenants and should
include response times for their various stages.
19.2 You should deal fairly with all parties. On occasion it may be appropriate
to remind complainants that those they complain about may be able to
produce counter-arguments in their defence or counter-allegations
which are just as real to them as the complainants grievances. It may be
appropriate to remind a complainant of the need for objectivity and
confidence as to the grounds for the complaint. Guard against
overreaction to a situation; on the other hand, consider whether if you
fail to act there may be an action for breach of quiet enjoyment. You
should be aware of the wide powers of local authorities to deal with antisocial behaviour and you should have particular regard to complaints of
racial harassment.
19.3 Leases/tenancy agreements will sometimes specify that a procedure, such
as arbitration, should take place where there is a dispute between
occupiers. Arbitration can be cheaper and often more effective than
litigation. You should also consider other ways of resolving disputes, such
as through mediation.
You should bear in mind however that where the dispute refers to service
or administration charges, any clause in a lease specifying that arbitration
must be used is not valid, unless it is as a result of an agreement after the
dispute has arisen.
S27A(6) Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
Commonhold and
2002)
Schedule 11
Commonhold and
2002
19.4 On receipt of a complaint in writing, you should investigate and (if under
your control) enforce the conditions of occupancy on other residents in
the building, subject to consideration of cost implications. If the remedy
is not under your control you should advise the tenant making the
complaint to notify the local authority for assistance. You should take
into account the requirements of the lease/tenancy agreement and the
possibility of an action for breach of quiet enjoyment if you do not act.
19.5 In considering enforcement action you should have regard to the
availability of supporting evidence and the willingness of others to attend
any hearing that may be necessary.
55
Part 20
Complaints and disputes about
managers and managing agents
by tenants
20.1 You should have a clear procedure for handling complaints and grievances.
The procedure should include a series of steps that dissatisfied
clients/customers can take to resolve problems or misunderstandings.
20.2 The procedure should provide for complaints about your staff to be
made to a responsible principal and for them to be investigated quickly
and fairly.
20.3 The procedure should be made available and its existence made known
to the landlord (if he is not also the manager), and tenants, and it should
include response times for its various stages.
20.4 Where the manager is not the landlord, the procedure should usually
allow for the tenant to complain to the landlord.
20.5 The lease/tenancy may contain a disputes procedure such as arbitration.
Such formal arrangements may involve extra costs, and any such
agreement contained in a long lease is not valid, unless it is as a result of
an agreement after the dispute has arisen see Part 19. It is desirable to
try to resolve the dispute by informal means before turning to any formal
provision in the lease or tenancy.
20.6 Qualifying tenants have the right to have a management audit carried
out. Landlords and managers must comply with valid notices in this
respect. (For further details, see Appendix II.)

Housing and Urban
20.7 You should bear in mind that where the dispute refers to service or
administration charges, any clause specifying that arbitration must be
used is not valid unless it is as a result of an agreement after the dispute
has arisen.
S27A Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
Commonhold and
2002)
Part 19 contains more information about disputes.
56
Schedule 11
Commonhold and
2002
Part 21
Arrears of service charges
21.1 You should ensure that you have an efficient system to monitor service
charges and other levies when due, and if not paid you should
communicate promptly with the tenant and in accordance with the law
where this applies, e.g. the ground rent notice. Where housing benefit is
being paid direct to the landlord/landlords agent, you should inform the
tenant promptly if benefit payments cease or are varied.
21.2 You should keep the landlord informed of any situation involving
significant arrears as soon as practicable.
21.3 The landlords instructions should be taken as to the next steps. If a
solicitor needs to be appointed this should be with the landlords
authority and it should be confirmed that the landlord would be
responsible for the costs.
21.4 If legal proceedings are necessary it is best to consult a solicitor as in most
cases it is necessary to serve a prescribed form of notice prior to seeking
possession of the premises through the courts, and you should make the
tenant aware of this.
Note: It will first be necessary to have a determination of a breach of the
lease from a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT).
S168 Commonhold and

2002
21.5 The landlord cannot exercise re-entry or forfeiture rights for failure to
pay service charges or ground rents until the appropriate statutory
notices have been served (including demands for ground rent) and it is
established that the sum is lawfully due. The statutory procedures in this
regard must be adhered to.
S81 Housing Act 1996

(as amended by s170
Commonhold and
2002)
21.6 To try to avoid incurring legal costs you should make direct contact with
the tenant in cases where arrears continue to accumulate and advise them
to seek independent advice, e.g. from a housing advice centre, citizens
advice bureau, LEASE or a solicitor. Before doing so you should, however,
make yourself aware of any legislation requiring notices to be served for
the payment of ground rent, and summaries of rights and obligations to
be sent when demanding service charges and administration charges.
You should also make yourself aware of the legislation concerning
forfeiture of leases for failure to pay ground rent, service charges or
administration charges.
Ss 166171 and schedule

11 Commonhold and
2002
Ss 166171
Commonhold and
2002
Landlord and Tenant

(Notice of Rent)
2004 (SI 2004/3096)
Rights of Re-entry and
Forfeiture (Prescribed
Sum and Period)
2004 (SI 2004/3086)
S81 Housing Act 1996
(as amended by s170
Commonhold and
2002)
57
Appendix I
Lease variations
I.1
A lease can be varied by mutual agreement between all the parties

concerned but part IV of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 also provides
for the ability to seek a variation of long leases in certain circumstances
where a variation cannot be agreed.
Part IV Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
(as amended by the
Commonhold and
2002)
I.2
Either party to a long lease of a flat can apply to a Leasehold Valuation

Tribunal (LVT) to vary a lease considered to be defective. Section 35 of
the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 sets out the grounds where this
procedure applies. These are principally where the lease does not make
satisfactory provisions for the following:
S35 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987 (as
amended by ss 162 and
163 Commonhold and
2002)
a) repair or maintenance of the flat or block or any other building let

under the lease or any building or land over which the lease confers
rights, e.g. staircases and common parts;
b) the insurance of the building containing the flat or of any such land
or building let under the lease;
c) the repair or maintenance of any installations and the provision or
maintenance of services which are reasonably necessary to ensure a
reasonable standard of accommodation;
d) the recovery of expenditure where the lease provides for tenants to
be liable for the charges of expenditure incurred for the benefit of
any other party;
e) the computation of a service charge payable under the lease;
f) amounts payable (by way of interest charges or otherwise) where
there is a failure to pay the service charges (in respect of (d) above);
and
g) such other matters as may be prescribed by regulations made by the
Secretary of State.
I.3
58
There is also provision for varying leases of two or more flats let by the
same landlord where a majority of the parties require a variation. Where
there are more than eight leases at least 75% must consent to the
variation and not more than 10% oppose it. Where there are fewer than
nine leases all or all but one of the parties must consent, but the LVT
must agree to it and the landlord constitutes one of the parties
concerned.
and Tenant Act 1987
(as amended by ss 162
and 163 Commonhold
Act 2002)
Appendix II
Statutory rights of tenants
Throughout the Code reference has been made to tenants statutory rights on
service charges. In this appendix, a summary has been made of those principle
statutory rights. There are other statutory rights given in legislation and this is
a summary only rather than a full interpretation of the law. Each right is strictly
regulated by detailed provisions. A statutory right is a specific right given
through legislation by Parliament which cannot be denied or removed by
contract.
Names and addresses
The statutory right to certain information concerning the landlord. (The
landlords name and address).

Tenant Act 1985
The landlord must notify the tenant of an address in England and Wales where
tenants can serve notices (for example in connection with court proceedings).
This may be the address of a representative such as a solicitor. Failure to do
this means any rent or service charge is not payable until this information is
provided.
S48 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987 (as
amended by the
Commonhold and
2002)
This name and address must also appear on any written demand for service
charge or rent.
S47 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987 (as
amended by the
Commonhold and
2002)
New landlords must notify tenants in writing within two months of the
assignment of the freehold otherwise they commit a criminal offence.
and Tenant Act 1985
The right to form a Recognised Tenants Association (RTA)

Tenants associations may seek recognition from the landlord or Rent
Assessment Committee Panel (Residential Property Tribunal Service). RTAs
have certain additional rights to information over and above those available
to individual tenants.
S29 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
Recognition is formally given in writing and as a general guide such an

association should represent at least 60% of the flats in the block where variable
service charges are payable.
Information about service charges and the right to challenge those charges
An individual tenant or the secretary of an RTA may ask the landlord for a
summary of the costs on which the service charge is based. The landlord must
provide tenants with a summary of the costs for the last service charge
accounting year giving prescribed information. This summary should be
supplied within strict time limits, must be certified by a qualified accountant
as defined, and supported by financial evidence (receipts, etc.)
S21 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
The landlord must provide an opportunity for the inspection and copying of
documents within set time limits.
S22 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
59
A tenant may challenge their liability for any part of the service charge they
feel is unreasonable at a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT), whether they
have paid it or not.
S27A Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
Commonhold and
2002)
A summary of tenants rights and obligations containing words prescribed in

regulations must accompany any demand for service charges, otherwise the
service charge is not payable until it does.
S21B Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
Commonhold and
2002)
Service Charges
Obligations, and
Transitional Provision)
2007 (SI 2007/1257)
Information about administration charges and the right to challenge those

charges
Any variable administration charge that is demanded under the lease is only
payable to the extent that it is reasonable. A tenant may challenge their liability
to pay and reasonableness of the charge at a LVT, whether they have paid it or not.
Schedule 11
Commonhold and
2002
Any party to the lease may also seek to vary a lease on the grounds that any
administration charge or any formula specified in the lease is unreasonable.
A summary of tenants rights and obligations containing words prescribed in
regulations must also accompany any demand for administration charges,
otherwise the administration charge is not payable until it does.
Regulations 2007
(SI 2007/1258)
The rights of consultation on certain qualifying works and long term

agreements (Part 13)
Current legislation gives tenants the statutory right to be formally consulted if
the landlord (or managing agent) wishes to enter into long term agreements for
more than 12 months or if they wish to undertake qualifying works to the
block.
S20 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1985
Detailed regulations include the requirement to serve notices on tenants, invite

observations and obtain nominations for contractors (in some cases), and
where appropriate give reasons for the contractor chosen.
Service Charges
(Consultation
Regulations 2003
(and correction)
(SI 2003/1987)
The landlord will not be able to recover charges beyond the statutory financial
limits if he fails to carry out any of the consultation procedures or alternatively
fails to obtain a dispensation from a LVT.
60
Service Charges
(Consultation
Requirements)
(Amendment) (No 2)
2004 (SI 2004/2939)
Information about building insurance

Buildings insurance costs must be reasonable, and tenants have the right to
challenge the landlords insurance arrangements at a LVT if this is not believed
to be the case, whether the costs are demanded as part of a service charge, or
whether the tenant is required to insure the property with an insurer
nominated or approved by the landlord under the lease.

Tenant Act 1985 (as
amended by the
Commonhold and
2002)
Tenants also have the right to ask the landlord in writing for a written summary
of the current insurance.
Tenants have the right to inspect the insurance policy.

Tenant Act 1985
(as amended by the
Commonhold and
2002)
Tenants with a long tenancy of a house with a nominated or approved insurer

clause in the lease/tenancy have the right to choose their own insurer if the
provisions of section 164(2)(a) to (d) of the Commonhold and Leasehold
Reform Act 2002 are satisfied and they give a notice of cover to the landlord
within the period specified in that section.

Tenant Act 1985 (as
amended by s157 and
schedule 10(9)
Commonhold and
2002)
The Leasehold Houses
(Notice of Insurance
Cover) (England)
Regulations 2004
(SI 2004/3097)
The Leasehold Houses
(Notice of Insurance
Cover) (England)
(Amendment)
Regulations 2005
(SI 2005/177)
Right to a management audit

Tenants have the right to arrange for a management audit of all the
management functions which landlords or their agents undertake at the block.
Tenants will have to pay the cost of the audit which must be undertaken by a
qualified surveyor or accountant who is not connected with the block or the
landlord.
Ss 7683 Leasehold
Reform, Housing and
Urban Development Act
1993
Such a management audit allows the auditor to look at both the accounts and
at the structure of the building.
Appointment of a manager by a LVT
Tenants may, subject to certain exceptions, ask a LVT to appoint a manager if
they believe the block is poorly managed or the landlord cannot be found. This
is a fault based right. Briefly, the general criteria for seeking the appointment
of a manager are that there is a breach of the lease/tenancy relating to the
management of the block; that unreasonable service charges have or are
proposed to be made; that there has been a failure to comply with any relevant
provision of a Code of Practice approved by the Secretary of State under
section 87 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993;
or where a LVT is satisfied that other circumstances exist. In all cases it must
be regarded by a LVT as being just and convenient to make the order.
Ss 2124 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
(as amended by the
Commonhold and
2002)
61
Right to Manage subject to qualifying criteria

Tenants also have the right to take over the management of the block
themselves or to appoint an agent to manage on their behalf by exercising their
rights contained in the Right to Manage (RTM) provisions. There need not be
a fault in the current regime. Again regulations are prescribed to govern
procedures needed to exercise this right.
Ss 71113 Commonhold
and Leasehold Reform Act
2002 (Note: Ss 76(2)(c)
and 77(1)(a) have been
amended by the Civil
Partnership Act 2004 and
ss 87(4)(a) and 105(3)(a)
have been amended by
the Enterprise Act 2002
(Insolvency) Order 2003
(SI 2003/2096))
Right to Manage
(Prescribed Particulars
and Forms) (England)
Regulations 2003
(SI 2003/1988)
RTM Companies
(Memorandum and
Articles of Association)
2003 (SI 2003/2120)
Right to compulsory acquisitions

In extreme circumstances where the landlord is in breach of his obligations
tenants may apply to the county court to acquire the landlords interest. This
is not to be confused with the right to enfranchise.
Ss 2534 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
Right of first refusal

In most circumstances a landlord who wishes to dispose of a block must give
qualifying tenants the opportunity to buy it. This right is strictly regulated and
subject to time limits and legal advice is essential.
Ss 119 Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987
Right to enfranchise or extend your lease

Enfranchisement is the process whereby qualifying tenants of flats who meet
the requirements can form a group and buy the freehold interest from the
landlord if the building itself satisfied certain criteria.
Leasehold Reform,
Housing and Urban
There are particular requirements over notice periods, deposits, costs and
valuation procedures that need to be adhered to.
Leasehold Reform
(Collective
Enfranchisement and
Lease Renewal)
Regulations 1993
(SI 1993/2407)
(as amended by the
Leasehold Reform
(Collective
Enfranchisement and
Lease Renewal)
(Amendment) (England)
Regulations 2003
(SI 2003/1990))
Leasehold Reform
(Collective
Enfranchisement)
(Counter-notices)
2002 (SI 2002/3208)
62
Similar rights apply to tenants of houses under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967.
The Leasehold Reform

(Notices) (Amendment)
2002 (SI 2002/1715)
The Leasehold Reform
(Notices) (Amendment)
(No 2) (England)
Regulations 2002
(SI 2002/3209)
Leasehold Reform
(Enfranchisement and
Extension) Regulations
1967 (SI 1967/1879)
(as amended by the
Leasehold Reform
(Enfranchisement and
Extension) (Amendment)
2003 (SI 2003/1989)
Right to vary your lease

Subject to the agreement of all parties concerned leases may be varied. This is
a particularly useful right in the case of an inadequate or defective lease. In the
event that agreement cannot be reached an application may be made to a LVT
to vary the lease (see Appendix I).
Part IV Landlord and

Tenant Act 1987 (as
amended by Ss 162 and
163 Commonhold and
2002)
Right to security of tenure at the end of a long tenancy

Subject to certain exceptions tenants with a long tenancy have security of
tenure at the end of the tenancy. This means that they have the right to stay in
the property under an assured periodic tenancy. Particular procedures need to
be adhered to and where these circumstances occur it may be necessary to seek
independent advice.
Schedule 10 Local
Government and Housing
Act 1989
Long Residential
Tenancies (Principal
Forms) Regulations 1997
(SI 1997/3008)
Long Residential
Tenancies (Supplemental
Forms) Regulations 1997
(SI 1997/3005)
Long Residential
Tenancies (Principal
Forms) (Amendment)
2002 (SI 2002/2227)
Additional advice
Further guidance is available from the following:
The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) www.lease-advice.org

Communities and Local Government (CLG)
www.communities.gov.uk/housing/buyingselling
63
Appendix III
Useful regulations and guidance
documents
This is not part of the preceding code which has been approved by the
Secretary of State.
REGULATIONS
Please note that this list is not a complete list and the instruments listed may
have been amended subsequently. All regulations are available and can be
downloaded from the Office of Public Sector Information at www.opsi.gov.uk
The Building Regulations 2000
SI 2000/2531
The Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2000
SI 2000/2532
The Building (Repeal of Provisions of Local Acts) Regulations 2003
SI 2003/3030
The Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 1998
SI 1998/3129
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007
SI 2007/320
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006
SI 2006/2739
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
SI 2002/2677
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
SI 1994/3260
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
SI 1989/635
Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations 1998
SI 1998/2573
Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1988
SI 1988/1324
Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1989
SI 1989/2358
Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1993
SI 1993/207
Fire Precaution (Workplace) Regulations 1997
SI 1997/1840
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
SI 1998/2451
Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
SI 1996/341
Income Tax (Construction Industry Scheme) Regulations 2005
SI 2005/2045
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1988
SI 1988/2307
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
SI 1999/3242
64
Money Laundering Regulations 2007
SI 2007/2157
Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002
SI 2002/1144
Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000
SI 2000/128
Private Water Supplies Regulations 1991
SI 1991/2790
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
SI 1998/2306
The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999
SI 1999/2083
The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2001
SI 2001/1186
Full copies of Statutory Instruments and Acts of Parliament can be obtained

from:
The Stationery Office
PO Box 29
Norwich
NR3 1GN
T: 0870 600 5522
F: 0870 600 5533
CODES OF PRACTICE AND GUIDANCE NOTES
The publications listed below are in alphabetical order by title for each
organisation. The right-hand box contains, where available and relevant, the
following information: publishers reference; year of publication; and ISBN.
Contact details for each organisation are given after its list of publications.
Health and Safety Executive
A short guide to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
INDG174REV1; 2005
ISBN 0 71766 141 5
Electricity at work: Safe working practices
HSG85; 2003
ISBN 0 71762 164 2
Essentials of health and safety at work
2006
ISBN 978 0 71766 179 4
Health and safety in construction
HSG150; 2006
ISBN 0 71766 182 2
Health and safety in roof work
HSG33; 2008
ISBN 978 0 71766 250 0
In-situ timber treatment using timber preservatives: Health, safety and

environmental precautions
GS46; 1989
ISBN 0 11885 413 5
Legionnaires disease: Essential information for providers of residential

accommodation
INDG376; 2003
ISBN 0 71762 207 X
Legionnaires disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems.

Approved Code of Practice and guidance
L8; 2000
ISBN 0 71761 772 6
65
Management of health and safety at work: Management of Health and Safety

at Work Regulations 1999. Approved Code of Practice and guidance
L21; 2000
ISBN 0 71762 488 9
Occupational hygiene and health surveillance at industrial treatment plants:

Woodworking Sheet No 29 (revised)
Personal protective equipment at work: Personal Protective Equipment at
Work Regulations 1992 (as amended). Guidance on Regulations
(2nd edition)
L25; 2005
ISBN 0 71766 139 3
Pressure systems safety and you
INDG261; 2001
ISBN 0 71761 562 6
Safety in window cleaning using suspended and powered access equipment
MISC611; 2003
Safety of pressure systems: Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000.

Approved Code of Practice
L122; 2000
ISBN 0 71761 767 X
Thorough examination and testing of lifts: Simple guidance for lift owners
INDG339REV1; 2008
ISBN 978 0 71766 255 5
Available from:
HSE Books
PO Box 1999
Sudbury
Suffolk
CO10 2WA
T: 01787 881165
F: 01787 313995
www.hsebooks.com
Communities and Local Government
Residential Long Leaseholders: A guide to your rights and responsibilities
Available from:
Communities and Local Government Publications
PO Box No 236
Wetherby
LS23 7NB
T: 030 0123 1124
F: 030 0123 1124
E: [email protected]
www.communities.gov.uk
66
08PRL05661; 2007
ISBN 978 1 40980 959 3
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Agreement Between the Landlord and Agent Setting Out the Terms of
Appointment for the Management of Property
1866; 1996
Agreement Setting Out Terms of Appointment for the Management of a

Block of Flats (2nd edition)
11528; 2006
Agreement with Conditions of Engagement for the Appointment of an

Agent to Let Residential Property in the Private Sector (2nd edition)
2952; 1998
You should be aware of the wide range of publications available for guidance
and good practice in residential management. A full list of RICS publications
can be obtained from:
RICS Books Customer Service
Surveyor Court
Westwood Business Park
Coventry
CV4 8JE
T: 0870 333 1600 (select option 2)
F: 020 7334 3851
www.ricsbooks.com
Association of Retirement Housing Managers
ARHM Code of Practice
2006
Available from:
ARHM
Southbank House
Black Prince Road
London
SE1 7SJ
T: 020 7463 0660
F: 020 7463 0661
www.arhm.org
67
Additional Advice to landlords,

tenants and agents
This is not part of the preceding Code which has been approved by the
Secretary of State.
1
Comment and introduction

Due to the legal status of the Code in court and tribunal proceedings,
RICS has excluded certain matters from the Code. This is because RICS
believes such matters should not be the subject of court or other
proceedings.
Good practice for tenants which RICS was advised could not receive
statutory backing is also included.
Some of the good practice omitted from the approved part of the Code
is the subject of this Additional Advice.
Costs to be passed on to tenants

Landlords and managers should appreciate that tenants have a legitimate
interest in service levels, the nature and level of costs to be incurred, and
in management charges which will form part of service charges, and
should therefore consider giving tenants the opportunity to comment
on substantial proposals, and/or early notice of significant changes in
the likely level of service charges even if not required under the formal
consultation procedures.
Courtesy and disputes

All parties should conduct their communication, both oral and written,
courteously, however strongly they may disagree.
Mediation and reference to an expert by agreement are often worthy of
consideration to resolve disputes more quickly, economically and
amicably in preference to litigation. The Housing Act 1996 and the
Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 empowers the Secretaries of
State/appropriate national authority to introduce fees for use of
Leasehold Valuation Tribunals (LVT) for certain purposes, and parties
may therefore wish to consider whether entering into binding post
dispute arbitration agreements or arrangements for expert
determinations could result in less costly determination of the particular
matter, especially if conducted by written representation. You should
consider seeking further guidance from the local LVT in relation to
disputes under their jurisdiction. Guidance can also be sought from
LEASE.
Managers will often consider it good practice to advise tenants as to their
rights (other than those summaries of rights which are required by law),
and sources of independent advice.
68
Common Law Tort of

Waste
Agreements between managing agents and their clients

Managing agents and their clients should enter into a written
management contract and should always replicate the need for specific
contractual matters, for example the provision in respect of assignment.
RICS has published standard agreements for the appointment of an
agent to manage residential property. These define the services which
would be provided by the agent, authorisations of the agent and by the
client, arrangements for communications between them, undertakings
by the client and bases of remuneration for selection, and makes
provision in respect of assignment, termination, liability of the agent,
waiver of breaches and arbitration in the event of dispute. There are two
standard agreements, one for blocks of flats and another for other
property. Schedules are provided for completion to record information
and agreements in respect of the particular contract.
Copies may be purchased from the RICS Bookshop at 12 Great George
Street, London, SW1P 3AD or online at www.ricsbooks.com
Financial obligations
When tenants are away from the property for any length of time they
should make arrangements to deal with their financial obligations in
relation to the lease. Delays in payment should be avoided as this can
prejudice the managers ability to provide services and meet
commitments, as well as depriving all tenants of possible interest where
service charge payments are concerned. Tenants should be encouraged to
advise managers if they are in difficulty over making payments when
they are due.
Tenants specific
responsibility
Repairs
6.1
Tenants should notify managers of defects and disrepair as soon as they

arise. When absent from their accommodation for long periods tenants
may wish to make arrangements for periodic/regular inspections and
provide managers with contact names for use in an emergency.
Tenants specific
responsibility
6.2
Tenants should be aware of their duty to use the property they occupy in
a responsible manner, for example, turning off water, protecting the
property from frost if there is any risk of burst pipes when they are away
and unblocking a sink when it is blocked. Tenants must not damage the
property and should ensure that their family and guests do not do so.
Common Law Tort of

Waste
Insurance
Tenants should insure their personal possessions and contents and any
special decorations and fittings and should also take out third-party
liability insurance where appropriate.
Tenants specific
responsibility
Whilst not a statutory requirement, tenants should tell the manager when
a claim against a policy for the building has been paid directly to them,
except where this is in respect of personal possessions or does not affect
other tenants or the management of the property.
69
Information
8.1
Applications for consents

Whilst not a statutory requirement, tenants and occupiers should notify
the manager when they know that an application (e.g. for planning
permission) has been made to a local authority or statutory body, either
for their own property or when they receive notice regarding an
adjoining one.
8.2
Change of occupier or correspondence address

Tenants should tell the manager about any change of occupier and any
change in their own address for security reasons, because they are entitled
to have certain information and it is in the interest of good estate
management. Tenants also have ongoing responsibilities under the terms
of their leases/tenancy. Whilst not a statutory responsibility, tenants
should also tell the manager if they are going to be absent for more than
four weeks.
8.3
Fire escape
Consideration should be given as to whether tenants in blocks of flats
should be advised of means of escape and other action they should take
in the event of fire. You should be aware of the requirements in relation
to the Fire and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1999. You should
also be aware of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
12
On-site staff
From time to time, landlords/managing agents may be required to
employ on-site staff and there is significant legislation affecting their
employment and housing rights which you should be aware of.
70
Managers/Landlords
specific responsibility
Equal opportunity
You must have regard to the full range of legislation relating to equal
opportunities. For example there have recently been amendments to the
Disability Discrimination Act 1995. You should seek further information
in relation to how this affects the services that you provide.
11
Tenants specific
responsibility
Applications for consents

You should notify tenants if you or the landlord make an application in
respect of the property to a local authority or statutory body, e.g. a
planning application.
10
Tenants specific
responsibility
Lenders
Tenants should tell the manager the identity of their lenders if it is a
requirement of the lease, or a condition of their loan.
Tenants and Occupiers

specific responsibility
Disability Discrimination
the Disability
Discrimination Act 2005)
Code of Practice
Service Charge
Residential Management Code
and Additional Advice to Landlords, Tenants and Agents
2nd edition
This Code is directed at all those associated with the management of
residential properties where service charges are payable. First published
in 1997, the Code is as relevant now as it was then.
The provision of a home is still a basic requirement. Many residential
properties, particularly flats, are managed and maintained by someone
other than the occupier. In these circumstances, it is essential that
management is undertaken within a proper regulatory framework.
This Code provides such a framework to assist in management to the
necessary standards. It covers both legislative requirements as well as
offering advice on good practice.
RICS believes the Code and Additional Advice will assist residents,
owners and occupiers and equip providers of property management
services with an understanding of the legislative landscape within which
properties are managed together with advice on good practice.
Furthermore, it will assist occupiers in obtaining their legal and equitable
rights whilst also providing the practitioner with support for decisions
taken in a sector where many problems arise due to a lack of
understanding of the obligations and duties of each party.
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Code of Practice

Approved by the Secretary of State for England under

Service Charge Residential Management Code

This Code is effective from 6 April 2009.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Additional Advice to landlords, tenants and agents

Note for RICS members

SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE

SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE

Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA)

Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG)

Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM)

Residential Property Tribunal Service (RPTS)

Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH)

The consultative committee of accountancy bodies:

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW)

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE

Definitions applicable in this Code

Additional Advice to landlords, tenants and agents

SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE

Foreword and application of the Code

SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE

S42 Landlord and

SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE

SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE

1.13 Money laundering

SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE

information about the landlord;

Ss 1 and 2 Landlord and

information about service charges;

information/notification about major works and long term

information about insurance.

S30A and schedule

In anticipation of requests from tenants, managing agents should prepare

Contracts between landlords and managing agents are normally

SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE

Ss 13, 14 and 15 Supply

Arrange and manage contracts or services in respect of, for example,

Arrange periodic health and safety and fire risk assessments in

Deal reasonably and as promptly as possible with enquiries from

SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE

m) Keep records on tenancies.

As part of the terms of engagement, a menu of charges for duties outside

preparing schedules of dilapidation or condition in respect of

providing copies of documents, insurance policies and accounts to

k) employing and working with other advisors in connection with the

SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE

m) giving information to prospective purchasers, vendors or their agents

Insurance commissions and all other sources of income to the managing

If the managing agents charges are agreed to be subject to indexation, the

SERVICE CHARGE RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT CODE

In undertaking a management function you must observe the terms of

In the interests of the landlord and other tenants, in the course of

You should respond promptly and suitably to reasonable requests from