The art of block management | MIH Property Management

020 3637 7968

info@mihproperty.co.uk

Delivering an effective service in a changing landscape

The primary objective of block management is to ensure properties are properly maintained, financially viable, and deliver appropriate living or working environments for their residents or occupants.

Block management in London involves managing the day-to-day operations and maintenance of multi-unit residential or mixed-use developments – large and small. The scale can vary from, for example, a few apartments in a Victorian town house conversion, to a huge purpose built complex. The scope covers a wide range of building and construction styles from the classic and historic to the ultra-modern, all with widely differing needs. Block management in Greater London is therefore both complex and specialised.

Efficient block management

Responsibilities include the maintenance of communal areas, financial management of service charges, compliance with legal regulations, and liaising with leaseholders and freeholders. The extent of work managed by an agency is agreed between Landlord and the agency and varies from building to building. The onus then is on providing a quality service within the terms of the contract and budget. This is where the true challenge lies, achieving the standards of service within the financial boundaries is a skill that requires experience, smart thinking and a trustworthy network of resources, and not agencies are equal.

Regulation and compliance

With the ongoing Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Act revisions, it is important for block management agencies to prioritise fire safety and compliance. At MIH we have a specialised team that deal with safety upgrades, such as external cladding remediation and fire risk assessments.

Tenant-focus

We find that a heightened focus on tenant satisfaction leads to improved communication, maintenance, and community-building. This is essential to good Agency/Landlord/Tenant relations and something we invest time in. We aim to attend to maintenance, consistently; tenant complaints, expediently; and handle emergencies as rapidly as possible and have pre-defined policies in place to ensure this.

Sustainability and long-term planning

The need for environmental and financial sustainability is becoming ever more pressing. Block managers are focusing on maintaining high standards of building upkeep through long-term maintenance plans and adequate reserve funds. These initiatives ensure property values remain high and appeal to prospective buyers or tenants. At MIH your investment is our investment, and we aim for the highest ROI.

Technology and efficiency

The adoption of best-in-class industry management software has streamlined communication and service delivery at MIH. This includes digital tools for financial tracking, maintenance requests, and resident engagement. This forward-thinking approach to property management means that we are more organised, efficient and therefore more available than most of our competitors.

Market Trends

With high demand in London’s rental market and increased corporate and student populations, proactive block management companies like MIH strive to maintain competitive, well-managed buildings to attract tenants. This includes addressing rising rents and minimising void periods.

Challenges we face

Managing ageing buildings and incorporating modern safety features can be costly and logistically complicated – particularly in light of changing safety legislation. The bar is being steadily raised demanding more time/cost resources. Legal requirements, such as those around leasehold reforms and fire safety, require expertise and regular updates from property managers.

Selecting a block management company

When choosing a management company in London, factors to consider include:

Experience with similar property types.
Transparency in service charge management.
Availability of a dedicated property manager or team.
Proactivity in addressing maintenance and tenant needs.

Choose MIH

We meet all of the above criteria, in fact, we’ve made block management an art form. If you’re exploring professional block management services, MIH are highly regarded for their expertise and client-focused approaches in London. Please get in touch to find out how we can work together.