RMG ROUNDUP rmgltd.co.uk Residential Management Industry News and Updates SUMMER 2016 Welcome to the summer issue of the Residential Management Group newsletter. In this issue RMG is pleased to announce the launch of our new corporate website and update you on the work we do to support a range of charities. We also provide details of the latest important regulatory and legislative changes which impact the industry. Remember, our new Paperless system means that you can opt to receive all your correspondence from us by email including this newsletter. So if you haven t already, sign up today by visiting: www.rmgliving.co.uk/paperless. RMG RETAINS INVESTORS IN PEOPLE Since 1991 Investors in People has set the standard for better people management. The Investors in People Standard defines what it takes to lead, support and manage people well for sustainable results. RMG recognise the importance of investing in the training and career development of its staff and we are proud to announce that we have successfully retained the accreditation following a recent reassessment. Hugh McGeever Managing Director, RMG NEW RMG WEBSITE LAUNCHED RMG are delighted to announce that our new corporate website is now live. I hope you agree that the layout is much clearer and easier to navigate. The new design allows you to easily interact with us via live chat, Twitter and access your RMG Living account. You can also read previous versions of our newsletter, catch up on our latest news and read important industry updates. You can check out the new site by visiting: www.rmgltd.co.uk rmgltd.co.uk 01
THE IMMIGRATION ACT 2016 The Immigration Act 2016 (IA 2016) is to introduce further new sanctions to enforce immigration laws and has particular relevance to those of you who sublet a property. The provisions in the IA 2016 develop the right to rent measures that were introduced by the Immigration Act 2014, prohibiting private landlords of residential properties from allowing certain people to occupy those properties, based on their immigration status. It is intended to make it easier for landlords to evict illegal immigrant tenants. In some circumstances, landlords will be able to evict without a court order. Landlords will obtain a notice issued by the Home Office confirming that the tenant is disqualified from renting in the UK as a result of the tenant s immigration status. On receipt of the notice, the landlord will be expected to ensure that the illegal immigrant leaves the property. The IA 2016 will also introduce four new criminal offences targeted at landlords who repeatedly fail to carry out right to rent checks and fail to take steps to remove illegal immigrants from their properties. Landlords and agents could face fines, imprisonment and additional sanctions under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT OWN PROPERTY IN THE UK HOUSING AND PLANNING ACT 2016 On 19 th May 2016 it was announced that any foreign company that wants to buy UK property or bid for central government contracts will have to join a new public register of beneficial ownership information before they can do so. This will be the first register of its kind anywhere in the world. For the first time, foreign companies that already hold or want to buy property in the UK will be forced to reveal who really owns them. 40 jurisdictions, including a number of Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies with major financial centres will automatically share beneficial ownership information. The register will also include companies who already own property in the UK. It is estimated overseas companies own 100,000 properties in England and Wales, with more than 44,000 of them in London. On 12 th May 2016 the Housing and Planning Act 2016 was passed. The Act has the strategic objectives of increasing the output of new build homes, and improving the affordability of home ownership for first time buyers. However, it also has some implications for existing landlords and tenants: Starter Homes are to be introduced as an affordable housing category on new build developments. Banning orders are being introduced for rogue landlords and agents, together with a database of landlords and letting agents subject to banning order convictions. The Secretary of State now has the power to impose duties on private landlords of residential premises in England to ensure that properties that they let comply with electrical safety standards (no date has been set for implementation). rmgltd.co.uk 02
PERSONS OF SIGNIFICANT CONTROL (PSC) REGISTER From 6 th April 2016, the Register of People with Significant Control Regulations 2016 brought into force aspects of the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act 2015. This legislation introduced a new statutory register for companies to maintain. The Persons with Significant Control Register must contain details of all persons who satisfy one of five tests for significant control. The tests for significant control are if a person (or company): 1. Owns more than 25% of the company s shares (directly or indirectly); 2. Owns more than 25% of the company s voting rights (directly or indirectly); 3. Has the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board of directors of the company; 4. Has significant influence or control over the company; and/or 5. Has significant influence or control over a trust or firm which has significant control over the company. All affected companies must: 1. Identify any Persons with Significant Control; and 2. Obtain the information to be entered into its PSC Register and confirm its accuracy. If the company does not have the information it must take certain steps to try and obtain it. If you are a client or customer and have any questions on these new requirements then please contact Hertford Company Secretaries via hcs@rmg.gb.com. If you do not currently make use of our company secretarial services and would like some further information then please contact Hertford Company Secretaries via hcs@rmg.gb.com. NEW CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER APPOINTED Earlier this year, RMG appointed a new Head of Customer Service, Darren Alexander. Darren has an extensive background in customer service businesses and has managed many customer service centres in his career, both large and small. Darren firmly believes in empowering staff to deliver a great customer experience. Darren comments: Excellent customer service is about listening to our customers and ensuring that they all get that personal touch. As has been said on many occasions Customers may forget what you said but they ll never forget how you made them feel. That s the ethos I want to instil in my team. By working with our customers and resolving their concerns at the earliest opportunity, we can all benefit. rmgltd.co.uk 03
REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION In late 2015, RMG managed Capital Square in Chelmsford underwent the first phase of a series of extensive lighting upgrades. The site has historically had very high energy bills as many lights worked 24/7. Property Manager Annie Gleeson worked together with the resident directors to deliver a solution to the issue. After a survey by contractors Lakeview and a vote at the AGM, it was decided to carry out a phased LED lighting upgrade. The first phase of the works is now complete and has resulted in a substantial reduction in the total energy costs for the site. Lighting now operates on a sensor system with contractors Lakeview commenting together with them being naturally more energy efficient, [these works] will result in energy costs reducing significantly. Residents agree that the upgrade has totally transformed the development. We are very pleased with the LED upgrade to our lighting system...the new light units use one tenth of the electricity and actually provide more light. Every resident has expressed approval. Terry Dackombe, Director. Phase 2 of the works are scheduled for later this year. F&S PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Following acquisition in June 2015, F&S Property Management in Southampton is now firmly established as part of the RMG stable. The company has retained its local and independent approach to property management and lettings and will continue to serve its existing customers from our Southampton office. Richard Wilkinson heads the F&S team and believes the company is in better shape than ever and ready for growth; Since joining RMG we have been able to continue to provide the bespoke and local service our customers expect but we now have access to the additional services and support provided by the wider RMG group. A new F&S website with access to on line services and web chat will be launched later this year. To contact F&S Property Management you can call 02380 226 686, email, customerservice@fspropertymanagement.co.uk or visit the office at 9 Carlton Crescent, Southampton, Hampshire. SO15 2EZ rmgltd.co.uk 04
CONTACT US If you have a query, why not give us a call? Call: 0345 002 4444 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) Email: customerservice@rmg.gb.com Visit: www.rmgliving.co.uk and speak to one of our advisors via our chat service. rmgltd.co.uk @RMGltd RMG EMPLOYEES RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY RMG staff across the country have been raising money for some incredible causes. Marie Vernon from the Northwich office ran the Heart FM Race for Life earlier this year and raised over 200 for cancer research. The 5K race was in Delamere Forest in Cheshire and was at times tough going but a great achievement. Well done Marie! Property Manager Denise Westbrook from our Hoddesdon office took part in the Grim Challenge in February and the Pretty Muddy race in June. The muddy obstacle courses were full of climbing, crawling and running but couldn t stop Denise who raised 195 for Cancer Research and 150 for Macmillan. Fantastic work Denise! Property Manager Alex Saddington and Regional Manager Paul Russell also ran for charity earlier this year. They took part in the Two Castles 10K and raised a fantastic 190 for Lyme Disease treatment. Great work guys! The RMG Customer Service Centre also engaged in some charity fundraising by biking 101 miles for Sport Relief earlier this year. You can read more about their efforts by visiting the Latest News page of our website, www.rmgltd.com. RESIDENT INVOLVEMENT Many of the developments we manage have long established resident organisations including many with resident directors. Resident representation plays an important role in the developments we manage and we are always keen to promote new resident bodies on sites without such groups. They help to promote neighbourliness and community cohesion as well as providing a channel for structured discussion between the resident population and RMG. Run by the residents, resident committees are a fantastic asset to a scheme. Information can be disseminated and feedback gathered from residents in an open and transparent manner. Resident committees, working with RMG help to: Establish agreed priorities Agree the service charge budget Give direct feedback on services Develop new and clear communication lines Property Manager Hannah Walsh has recently helped launch new resident committees on a number of the sites she manages with great success. After being approached by residents of Saxton Management Company, RMG worked with interested residents to establish a resident committee that has had a hugely positive impact on the site. The committee now have monthly meetings where residents can raise concerns confident that they are communicated to Hannah to action. Successful activities on the site including gardening events, summer parties, charity fundraisers and community regeneration days have all helped to build the sense of community. If you live on a development with an established residents group why not consider joining. If your development does not currently have a resident group and you re interested in starting one, get in touch with your property manager who will be happy to assist. rmgltd.co.uk 05