Cross-Sector Talks Heralded a Success by Delegates

Last month, senior representatives from the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP), the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA), The Institute of Residential Property  Management (IRPM), the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), and Leasehold Forum, met for cross-sector talks over lunch in Central London. In what is thought to be a first, representatives were able to discuss –  informally- issues currently affecting the leasehold and enfranchisement sector.

Alex Greenslade, Honorary Secretary and co-founder of ALEP, said of the event:

“Although our organisations have clearly defined and, admittedly, different, agendas, our common goal is one of bettering the leasehold sector for the good of the consumer and professionals working within it. Having these organisation heads meet around a table has allowed us to discuss many issues, outline our objectives and put in place a strategy for continued collaboration and consultation.”

Peter Haler, former Chief Executive of the Leasehold Advisory Service and Director of Leasehold Forum, commented:

“This forum provides the opportunity for improving service delivery to leasehold clients through better liaison and cooperation between the different professional disciplines serving the sector. Quality of service is paramount but there remains a lack of proper coordination between professionals, particularly in the area of training and Continuing Professional Development. Acting together we aim to identify opportunities for more crossover and overlap, to investigate establishment of common standards improving levels of expertise to the direct benefit of the client, whether leaseholder, freeholder, agent or purchaser. Greater liaison and discussion will also produce proposals for change, to be channelled to Government through our respective organisations.”