A Weymouth block management specialists have backed moves by Communities Minister Sajid Javid for greater regulation of leasehold property management.

BNS Property Management said they fully supported government proposals to regulate letting and managing agents in order to protect and empower tenants and leaseholders.

Managing director, Andrew Simmonds, said: “The Office of Fair Trading set out similar proposals to tighten up regulations back in 2013 – but we welcome this latest move designed to benefit the increasing numbers of people who live in apartment blocks in the region.

“As members of the Association of Residential Managing Agents we have been supporting the call for greater regulation of the industry for many years.

“Public confidence in block management has hit an all-time low largely as a result of the events at Grenfell Tower – but also because some people have been ripped off by unscrupulous managers or are struggling to manage a block themselves with a disinterested committee of people.”

The proposals set out by Sajid Javid during his Conservative Party conference speech last month include measures to bring in regulation of managing agents, measures to protect consumers from unfair costs and overpriced service charges and ways to give leaseholder more say over their agent.

The Communities Minister has also proposed a new independent regulatory body for the property management sector as the Department of Communities and Local Government believes the sector is only partly self-regulated through the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA).

They say agents who are not members are not covered by these codes and this can provide a poor deal for consumers.

Other proposals include giving leaseholders a greater say over the appointment of managing agents; greater transparency so that tenants and leaseholders know what they are being charged and why, obliging freeholders and agents to be more fair and open about their relationship and reviewing the qualifications agents should have and how regulations can be improved.

Mr Simmonds said BNS Property Management was already working closely with leaseholders to ensure any issues were dealt with as speedily as possible.

“As a family business we have kept the same values since the business was launched and it is this integrity and commitment to our clients’ needs that has helped us grow into the largest independent agency in the South West," he said.

“We manage a portfolio in excess of 300 sites, containing over 5,500 homes, across Bristol and the South from our offices in Bristol and Weymouth.

“Our unique MyBNS system combines a highly personal service to our clients whilst utilising the latest technology enabling residents and property owners to liaise with us at any time of day or night.

“We are already committed to providing an ethical service to our clients ensuring our procedures are transparent and simple. Team members are on hand to ensure that the customer’s needs are always our priority."