Running a successful private residents' association is certainly not without its share of difficulties. While the directors of your association may have knowledge or expertise in certain areas, you will be all too aware that leasehold legislation is a complex area and expert advice and opinion can be costly and hard to come by.

A helpful resource is the Federation of Private Residents' Associations (FPRA) which is a not-for-profit lease advice, support and lobbying organisation for private residential leaseholders, tenants' and residents' associations, Residential Management Companies and Flat Management Companies. It is the national voice of residents' associations and is frequently consulted by government. In addition, it represents and understands the interests of leaseholders seeking to set up a tenants' association, existing tenants' associations (recognised or not) and residential management companies.

Mark Chick, Partner and Head of our Landlord & Tenant team here at Bishop & Sewell is an honorary consultant to the FPRA.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.