London's new garden squares
London is already the greenest capital in Europe, with homeowners enjoying more than 600 garden squares. And the good news is that there are more to come.
As the BBC move out, Shepherd's Bush switches to a new programme
As Aunty leaves the Bush the borough seizes the opportunity to create a proper neighbourhood.
Spotlight on Camden Town
The shops and markets clustered around the high street and canal make Camden one of the most colourful of London's neighbourhoods. The area's period homes and loft-style apartments attract a mix of homebuyers.
Revealed: from Reading to Redhill – the top 20 commuter stations
Choose your route. Our exclusive property buyers’ guide shows travel times, costs and house prices.
My design London - Russell Norman
Owner of Polpo, Spuntino and Polpetto restaurants in Soho, and da Polpo and Mishkin's in Covent Garden, restauranteur Russell Norman opens up on his favourite London haunts.
Find a rated tradesman
Want to add value to your property, make your house a home, or sell your place fast? With 1,000s of tradesmen nationwide, rated and recommended by previous customers, this is the smart way to find a reputable tradesman.
Buy of the week: Camden Town
This two-bedroom flat has a pretty park on its doorstep, while buzzing Camden Town is only 10 minutes’ walk away. Big sash windows and high ceilings give a spacious feel and there’s a private garden with a studio/home office (£525,000).
Swap of the week: Willersey, Glouc
This little Cotswolds beauty is just across the road from the village green and duck pond. For £530,000 you get beams, exposed stone walls and an open fireplace, plus four bedrooms, a useful attic room and lush gardens to enjoy.
Life-changer: Trescowe, Cornwall
For a project brimming with potential, what about this coastal home, yours for £545,000? The family space includes six bedrooms, while its collection of outbuildings overlooking an acre of gardens could become income-generating holiday lets.
Spotlight on Camden Town
The shops and markets clustered around the high street and canal make Camden one of the most colourful of London's neighbourhoods. The area's period homes and loft-style apartments attract a mix of homebuyers.
Property search
Can I reclaim flat management fees?
Our lawyer, Katharine Marshall, gives advice on how to determine if fees charged for poor flat management can be reclaimed
© Merrily Harpur
They don’t seem to do a thing: we have no concierge, despite having a desk for one; the walls and doors need painting and the communal areas generally are almost never cleaned.
Can I claim any of this money back, or is the management company entitled to keep the lot despite not lifting a finger to improve our block?
Answer: You need to check the terms of your lease to see what work the management company is obliged to carry out and whether it is also obliged to decorate the common areas (and if so, how often).
Most leases provide for a management company to produce formal accounts each year to show what has been done and at what cost.
If the total costs incurred for the relevant year are less than £1,500 then you should be entitled to have your account credited with the excess (this will go towards next year’s payment). I am sorry to say that very few leases actually provide for the excess to be repaid to you.
What's your problem?
If you have a question for Katharine Marshall please email legalsolutions@standard.co.uk, or write to: Legal Solutions, Homes & Property, Evening Standard, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5EE.
We regret that questions cannot be answered individually but we will try to feature them here.
Katharine is a solicitor and director at Pitmans Solicitors (www.pitmans.com).
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