RESI AWARDS SPONSORSHIP, DEVELOPING COMPLIANCE & FAÇADE TEAM & A DAY AT THE RACES

Published: 06/06/2019

Spring time means three things, new financial year, RESI Awards and the racing season. Apart of course from the day to day, month to month rough and tumble of the day job. Well the new FY has got off to a flyer despite the continual shadow of Brexit with some notable instructions and appointments.

Firstly though and once again, Harris Associates have been proud to be one of the sponsors at the prestigious RESI Awards. This year we sponsored the Property Manager of the year which was won by Rendall & Rittner. The evening was as usual huge amounts of fun aided by the host and comedian Stephen K Amos, as well as a celebratory night of industry excellence.

The development of the Kings Cross Estate has been one of the UK’s and indeed Europe’s most dynamic and ambitious regeneration projects. Harris Associates have been appointed on a number of specific project related instructions as well as advising on licence to alter guidance and tenant alteration matters. “Tapestry Apartments, Gasholders and the Plimsoll Building are all outstanding developments in their own right and we are very proud to be involved with all three. To be working with James Andrew Residential and Argent and the teams that make up the service delivery cohort is a superb opportunity and one that we are grasping with both hands!” – Shaun Harris

Our compliance and façade assessment team are working overtime and continue to advise on matters relating to assessment and remediation. This area of our business and indeed the sector as a whole is very sensitive and all parties are looking to government for further direction on the scale of support that is required. In May the government did set out their commitment:

The government will fully fund the replacement of unsafe aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding on high-rise private residential properties where building owners have failed to do so
Communities Secretary the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP calls time on “reckless” building owners who have refused to take action
New funding estimated at £200 million to ensure this work takes place urgently

“Although the statement and commitment are welcome what we need now is some guidance on the detail of accessing that £200 million. And of course it doesn’t stop there. There are questions over ACM cladding under the 18 metre threshold, non-ACM unsafe cladding above 18 metres, unsafe cladding under the 18 metre threshold and whether further funding is going to be made available. The feeling we get is that £200 million won’t touch the sides!” – Shaun Harris

On a more jolly note, we enjoyed the Hamways Race Day at Lingfield Park. As always a fabulous day out, a fantastic spread of beverages and the weather was kind too. The less said about the betting prowess of the Harris attendees the better.