Cambridgeshire firm Letters Block Management part of the Letters Group, which manages blocks of flats within East Anglia and South East England, has become one of a prestigious group of 
residential managing agents in England and Wales to achieve accreditation by the industry’s trade body – the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA). Letters Block Management has achieved ARMA accreditation – which promotes the highest standards of customer service in residential leasehold management. To become ARMA accredited, members must adhere to a
Customer Charter and 180 Standards developed specifically for managing agents to promote honesty, fairness, openness and timeliness. ARMA’s Chief Executive, Dr Nigel Glen, said: “Choosing the right managing agent can be a bit of a minefield. The industry is not regulated so they don’t
have to belong to a professional body or comply with specific standards.
However, with ARMA membership leaseholders can be confident they are
choosing a quality managing agent.”
He continued: “Anyone appointing an ARMA managing agent can have
peace of mind that they conform to high standards, are bound by a
consumer charter and are regulated independently. Like all ARMA’s
members, Letters Block Management has a clear commitment to providing the best
service.”
Gary Martin proprietor of Letters Block Management said: “To achieve accreditation, we had to demonstrate that
we comply with rigorous industry standards, so we are extremely proud to
have achieved ARMA accreditation. It is good to have our professionalism
and customer care officially recognised.”
Flat owners who use ARMA accredited managing agents to manage their
property will be guaranteed a number of safeguards including:
• Higher professional standards and levels of customer care
• A transparent and open service
• Access to an independent regulatory panel
For further information, interviews, etc, please contact Gary Martin on tel: 01733 898589, email: Gary@lettersblockmanagement.co.uk.
Why appoint a managing agent?
When people buy leasehold flats, a condition of their lease is that they are
jointly responsible for the maintenance of communal parts of the block,
including grounds and roof. It is common for a managing agent to be
appointed to take on the responsibility of managing the block on behalf of
all the leaseholders as they can bring an organised approach to the planning
and collection of the service charges and reserve funds, the timetables for
redecoration and repairs and inspection of works.
ABOUT ARMA
The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) is the leading trade
association for companies that manage private residential leasehold blocks
of flats in England and Wales. ARMA promotes high standards of leasehold
management by providing advice, training and guidance to its members.
It aims to raise standards and quality of service across the residential
leasehold management sector. To become ARMA accredited, managing
agents must meet the requirements of a Consumer Charter and over 180
Standards, which are specific to managing agents. Compliance with the
Charter and Standards is overseen by an independent regulatory panel made
up of industry experts and chaired by former housing minister Sally Keeble.
Importantly, leaseholders are also represented on the panel.
ARMA also produces guidance materials for leaseholders and residents’
management companies (RMCs) whilst campaigning for improvements in
legislation governing the leasehold sector.
More information on the Association can be found at: www.arma.org.uk
