Peverel’s Involvement Within ARMA
By admin | October 7th, 2009 | Category: Past Articles | 8 commentsDISCLAIMER: We would like to advise that the following information is based on Annual Reports from ARMA, which are freely available via the Internet.
Having undertaken a bit of Googling last night I was surprised to find out the level of involvement that Peverel have / had with ARMA since 2006 / 2007. (Quite possibly even longer, however this information is not currently available).
I came across the following links to the ARMA Annual Reports for 2006 / 2007 and 2007 / 2008, which clearly states that Catronia Wadlow (Group Services Director of Peverel Limited) holds the position of ‘Education Committee’ within ARMA and Gerry Fox (Regional Director of Peverel OM Limited) is the Hon. Treasurer for ARMA.
ARMA’s Annual Report 2006 / 2007
ARMA’s Annual Report 2007 /2008
We know from past experiences that organisations similar to ARMA, ask for members to express their interest in being responsible for a certain area within the association.
However, how is it possible for ARMA to be independent and try to be seen as ‘a role model / body’ – when the company that receives the biggest complaints hold two very important positions in the association?
ARMA’s website today states that that ARMA Conference has sold out and therefore, we assume that the Annual Report for 2008 / 2009 will then be published, at which point this may reveal that Catronia and Gerry no longer hold theses positions.
It would be very interesting (if there any non Consensus Group ARMA members are reading this) to hear about what is said during this conference, especially considering the number of complaints that TheTruthAboutSolitaire has generated that relate to Peverel / Solitaire.
Other contributors have mentioned that ARMA have the power to cancel the registration of any ARMA member that is deemed to be failing in its duties. But with Peverel employees on the committee, this is highly unlikely to happen, when they are probably one of the biggest contributors towards supporting ARMA.
The ARMA Conference is on the 15 October 2009 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London, maybe we should all attend and protest outside of the venue??
We look forward to hearing from any ARMA members that attend the ARMA Conference.
This just re-confirms the huge conflict of interests that exists between ARMA and Solitaire / Peverel. If ARMA was a fully-regulated governing body, working to enforce proper legislation, then such relationships would surely not be permitted.
But as we all know, there is no formal legislation in place, and therefore ultimately there’s no real regulation of the industry at present. Therefore, ARMA have no teeth, and Solitaire / Peverel have no concerns about any pressure coming from ARMA. As has been reported previously, ARMA can expel their members if they chose to, but this means nothing as the expelled member company is free to carry on trading, and doing (or not doing…) whatever it was that lead to their expulsion from ARMA. But as Admin notes, with Peverel employees on the ARMA committee, would ARMA want to cancel their registration…??? I too think it unlikely.
It should be noted of course that other ARMA committee members are also employed within the property management / lettings industries – the 2007 / 2008 Annual Report shows that the ARMA Chairman (Mr. Brett Williams) is an employee of Curry & Partners, who are Chartered Surveyors and Property Management Consultants. On their own website, Mr. Williams is one of the main employees listed, with a title of “Flat & Service Charge Management”.
Other names in the ARMA Annual Report include Laurence Read, who is the Managing Director of Castlebar Management Ltd, and Peter Dening, who is a partner in Pennycuick Collins. I pick these individuals out at random – I’m in no way defending the roles of these individuals (or the Peverel names) within the Committee of ARMA – it just reinforces the conflict of interests. All the named companies are ARMA members, so their committee is made up of employees of their members, therefore reinforcing the softness & ultimate effectiveness (or rather, lack of…) of ARMA.
Let’s see what happens at the ARMA conference next week – although if “we” haven’t got anybody on the inside, will “we” get to hear the full version of what is discussed inside the conference…??? The publication of the Annual Report for 2008 / 2009 will make interesting reading, to see who from Peverel is still on the ARMA committee…..
There is a story that one of the Peverel/Solitare/CEM companies was up before the ARMA disciplinary board recently. What ever was decided it seems there is another hearing (appeal?).
For what ever reason the Peverel web site now states
“Some of our companies are members of ARMA, the Association of Residential Managing Agents, with all abiding by the recognised industry code of practice. ”
Perhaps we have to wait and see who is the non ARMA member.
It is interesting to know about ARMA which is proving my point that it is difficult to make Peverel Om/Solitaire accountable.
Do you know that Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has given award to Peverel Om?
My lease says “the matter in dispute shall be determined by a person to be appointed for the purpose by the President for the time being of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors whose decision shall bind both parties” Would it be possible to get a fair hearing?
One unsatisfied contractors informed me that he only worked once for Peverel Om and will not wish to work for them again but they keep sending him literature that he is their contractor. How many others are drafted on their books in the similar manner which stops them acting as independent contractors to work on the behalf of the leaseholders? I have complained to Peverel Om not to interfere with my contractors again and again but they did not comply.
In 2007, ever since I found out that Peverel Om are taking care of Shelter Holmes and Care Homes I usually have tears in my eyes with the thought that our nation’s weak, vulnerable and innocent leaseholders are suffering, who have no one to turn to or know what to do. I decided to stand firm against Peverel Om regardless of what is thrown at me and how much I lose.
To know a part of the story behind me and my flat under the flag of Peverel Om Management find me in Google search engine under the name Nicky Vogg than The Times or you can find me here under the heading Times news coverage.
I cannot tell the whole story of what has been done to me but let me assure you it has been an unbelievable and horrific experience that one only reads in the books or see in the movies. My life has been very difficult on many levels. If someone asks me how do I survive where do I get the strength to carry on? My answer is that I live for the day and live for the moment. Someone has to stand up to bullies otherwise the world would not be a nice place to live.
Thanks to The Times news paper, MPs, Watch Dog, channel 4 and so forth to expose the Management Companies to make a difference.
Hi everyone
I read Admin’s posting and thought I could provide some more information.
Gerry Fox has been a member of Council and Honorary Treasurer of ARMA for many years and was appointed long before he joined Peverel in 2001. If Solitaire was the subject of any discussion by the Practice Committee or Council of ARMA he would not be allowed to participate in any decision or recommendation that ARMA might make.
Catriona Wadlow played an important role on the Education Committee of ARMA before stepping down in January.
The Peverel Group works actively to improve the professional standards in the industry:
- Supported and contributed to the development of the 2nd edition of the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors ‘Service Charge Residential Management Code’, published in April 2009
- Supported further rights for leaseholders under the Commonhold & Leasehold Reform Act 2002
- Continue to work closely with and contribute directly to key industry bodies such as ARMA and the Asset Skills Council, to improve good practice standards in property management
- Made a significant contribution to the development of training and assessment activity in the sector. The professional qualification in residential property management was created in 2002 with the objective of raising standards, whilst providing individuals with independent accreditation of their professional skills. The ARMA Education Committee played an important role in the creation of this professional qualification that is available to anyone seeking to develop their career in property management.
Many thanks,
Andy
Solitaire Online Feedback Manager
Who pays and who makes money!!!
It is impressive reading Andy’s posting above. In my experience Peverel have added strength by the lease and others making them an ultimate force to reckon with.
My back ground is that I have an investment flat in London managed by Peverel Om and have lost over £100,000K and as a result suffered on various levels.
In December 2006, a communal lift shaft flooding was used as reason by Peverel to test my flat systematically but inappropriately to trace a water leak in my flat. Even now it is still damp and contaminated but Peverel walked away and refusing to settle my full claim.
Below are a few examples:
My lease Ninth Schedule Clause 6 states:
“If the manger……. fails to observe and perform its covenants under this Lease then and in any such case the Lessor will join with the Lessee and the other lessees of the Properties in arranging for the carrying out of the matters mentioned in the Sixth Schedule the Lessee contributing the Lessee’s Proportion of the expense of so doing”
The landlord (Stuart Court Ltd) will need 100% lessee’s approval to trace the source in the building to stop dampness in my flat. This is a unfair and unachievable clause, when a very few would wish to disclose flooding when they sell which may reduce the valve of their property, therefore, will not approve
The only choice was for me to hire a solicitor. My experience of 2 solicitors is:
First local solicitor of Macleish Littlestone Cowan could not produce a care letter in 4 months to take Peverel to court, instead wanted to take action against the landlord. Without any invoice he cashed my cheque as pre-payment for work he never carried out and as a result I sacked him.
Second Walter Kramer of IBBlaw solicitors, acted over six months. Towards the end he stopped following my instructions, withdrew himself against my wishes from serving a court order against Peverel to produce reports and so forth. After 6 months he declared Peverel is now his Management Company, but he saw no conflict of interests to act on my behalf. I had no choice but to sack him.
Another unfair clause in The Schedule 6 Part “G” 1,
“Insuring any risks for which the Manager may be liable as an employer of persons working or engaged in business on the Maintained Property or as the owner of the Maintained Property or any part thereof in such amount as the Manager shall reasonably think fit”
David Edwards wrote on 11 May 2007,
“In order to succeed any claim you will need to demonstrate that Peverel have been at fault in someway. We would deny any fault on our Part”
They are denying ever since. I am totally flabbergasted with the unfair clause which is working against the leaseholder. The flats are bought and sold since 1998 and no solicitor has ever picked it out as an disadvantage to the leaseholder. The lease is forcing me to pay premium to insure Peverel to fight against me in the court in order to prove they are incompetent and negligent. Furthermore, Peverel staff will make money if there is a court case against the company whether they win or lose. I have to fund the entire case from my pocket and pay their cost if I lose.
To gain further power Peverel declared themselves as the landlord of my block which is a freehold and I own 20% of the shares. First Andrea Barnard-Gregory AIRPM wrote on 16 March 2007
“….we can confirm that we are the landlord and the Managing Agents and therefore are able to force entry to your apartment..”
David Edwards wrote on 3 December 2007,
“The Landlord of the Property is Om Limited. Om Limited is a company which is part of the Peverel group Companies”
What do I do to get justice when most of things are stacked against me but have evidence Peverel are incompetent negligent cowboys?
Is there someone retired or have some spare time to give me a helping hand, who believes in old valves and money is not their God to gain by any means?
Another appointment and another cost.
I have depleted my funds further by hiring a loss assessor, who has given me the impression that he holds the old valves and may be able to achieve resolution in relation to my claim against Norwich Union’s Insurance Policy but that does not resolve my rest of the claim against Peverel Om.
I have also written to Lee Middlesbrough by the link provided by the site to resolve my on going problems of dampness and contamination and let us pray there is positive response.
There has to be glorious light at the end of the tunnel , which only time will tell if people like me can win against the big cooperate or not with help of Media
Non compliance of the lease by Peverel
My flat is at the river Thames’ public walk in Millennium Wharf, Isle of Dogs where in my opinion Peverel are in breach of the lease on 3 counts:
1) Breach of the lease by denying access to the Development:
On 24 October 2008, Nicola Holmes AIRPM wrote to my ex solicitor:
“Please note that no access was granted into the lift shaft to Ms Vogg at any time, due to Health and Safety reasons. Therefore, we are unable to verify the source of water sample she sent off for testing.”
A).The lease “THE FOURTH SCHEDULE “Clause 4 states
“Access to and entry upon the other parts of the Development as are necessary for the proper performance of the Lessee’s obligations hereunder or for the repair” decoration Maintenance or inspection of the Demised Premises…”
B) THE EIGHTH SCHEDULE, PART ONE, Clause 10.
“If the Lessee shall to give at least 72 hours notice in writing …. to the Manager ….of that part of the Development …the Lessee shall on giving such notice be entitled to have access to such part of the Development…”
Peverel are clearly in breach of the lease by denying access to the lift shaft. Their stated health and safety reasons are an excuse to carry on testing to make money for themselves and are also denying me the means to prove they are incompetent and negligent so my claim for settlement can be dismissed.
May I remind Ms Holmes that no one ever refused my presence when the lift was opened for your Company inspection? She was present, in October 2009 with Christine Axton and A Vogg when the water sample was provided by Peverel’s contractor which lead to prove that there was no resemblance between the lift shaft water (which resembles mains water or may be surface water) and the communal waste pipe flooding my flat. No repair work was carried out on my main water supply, therefore, it is a clear evidence that my flat could not be a source of flooding the lift shaft which appears to have stopped now.
2) By erecting a bike stand on the “Access ways” Peverel are in breach of the lease and are making money by issuing permits to leaseholders to park their bikes which is a “nuisance” to me.
In the lease “Access ways” means communal footpaths which states:
A) THE FIFTH SCHEDULE Clause 3.2
“alter the layout of the Communal Areas but not so as to prejudice access to the Demised Premises”
B) THE EIGHTH SCHEDULE Clause 6
“Not to obstruct at .any time any access ways …on the Development”
The bike stand is on the “access way” in between two properties – my block where side windows open and the adjoining warehouse block which have following impact:
Service Charges increase and privacy is invaded:
a) By installation and continual repair work to the gates and padlocks which youngsters find tempting to break.
b) The camera monitoring the installation to protect the bikes also faces the main entrance door of my block, hence it also appears to monitor my moves and my contractors’.
c) There is a health and safety risk in case of an explosion in the building. The fire brigade’s access is restricted and our escape route on the side is blocked with padlocks as well as high fences with spikes.
d) Reduced the value of my property
The bike stand was built without my knowledge or permission and is in breach of the lease, therefore, must be dismantled now.
3 Peverel Om are in breach of the lease for not hiring experts available in the market to trace the leak in my flat and the development.
The Tenth Schedule Clause 1.3
“The Manager shall not be liable for any failure to provide employees and workmen necessary in connection with the Maintained Property if it shall have used all reasonable endeavours to obtain them”
Are Peverel not in breach of the lease by creating unnecessary work to increase profits at the cost of leaseholders and then funding others to climb the status ladder?
Peverel Om settle my claim now and carry out the necessary work so it can be sold off.
I have applied to put aside the Judgement and hope the Judge accepts it and permits the hearing to go ahead.
My solicitors went to the Judge saying I have not responded to the counterclaim, therefore, it should be stuck off. I thought I did so let see what is going to take place.
I have been advised that Judge may have acted according to law, however, it is not known that counterclaim judgement can be passed before hearing the claim.
I sincerely hope I did not overstep the mark by upsetting the judge and apologies if it is so.