Since 2002 Hallmark has worked with a number of the leading developers on new build schemes throughout London and the Home Counties. We have assisted from the planning stage, including working on lease design, service charge structure and preparing service charge budgets and apportionment calculations, managing each phase as it comes on-line through to management of the completed scheme.

Development Phase

During the initial phase of the development an outline for the management of the scheme would be drawn up and this would encompass the following areas:

Financial

• Draft service charges
• Initial proposal for set-up costs
• Establish basis for the apportionment of the service charges.

Legal

• Review leases in respect of management and recovery of service charges
• Establish a service charge structure
• Review of obligations under the lease and Section 106 agreements

It is important to establish the relationship between those areas that are open to the general public, those that form part of the ‘estate’ and those that will be reserved for use of individual buildings.

Operations & Design

• Liaise with Project Managers and Directors and the appointed architects in respect of design as it affects operational issues e.g. security systems, refuse collection
• Establish initial staffing levels
• Establish initial scope of services and maintenance

General

• Provide general advice on issues relating to affordable housing
• Provide general advice on estate management

Consultancy in Building Phase

During this phase Hallmark will prepare a specification to review options for the management of the development.

We will agree a development for management e.g. contracts for maintenance, Health & Safety, insurance, review of the service charge budgets and appointment of staff. It is important that Hallmark takes overall responsibility for the management of the scheme but that at the same time protects the interests of all parties.