Publisher's Synopsis
In Britain there are now one-and-a-half million flat owners - people who own a single flat within a purpose-built block or a converted property. Flat owners face unique problems when it comes to maintaining their property, and this report explores the issues which government and other policy makers need to address. It examines the legal arrangements that govern the ownership and management of flats, as well as the practical support given to flat owners by both public and private organisations. It covers the different arrangements that exist in England and Wales, and Scotland, and compares these with arrangements in Australia, France and the USA. This report identifies the need for reform of the current British systems, and recommends a two-pronged approach: short-term steps to improve the support provided to flat owners at a practical level; for the longer term, the introduction of new legal systems for flat ownership, similar to those operating in other countries. As reform of flat ownership is high on the government's housing agenda, this report is a timely contribution to the debate. It is essential reading for groups with an interest in flat ownership and management, including: property developers and managers, lenders, solicitors, surveyors, the wider housing policy community and flat owners themselves.
