[Tina Collins]

I use Google drive with two of the charities I work with so that the trustees can access the latest version of any document with no sot to the charity.

[Tina Collins]

We are looking at our WMC now and adding a service charge and potentially a maintenance charge.
I would be most grateful if anyone is willing to share their templates etc.
clerk.feoffee.osm@gmail.com
Many thanks
Tina

[Tina Collins]

One of the charities I work with is starting to use Bowdens, who seem to have a large number of charities as clients and offer EOY accounts prep and/or Independent Examination, with reasonable fees.

[Tina Collins]

We are just about to start the process of looking at WMC + service charge so any template/guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Please send to clerk.feoffee.osm@gmail.com.
Thanks
Tina

[Tina Collins]

For small charities, I would recommend investigating Quick File. There are no monthly costs and if you have under 1000 transactions per year it is free. You can connect your bank feeds for £15.
It is so simple to use. I have an associate who can set your charity up on QF using a csv file from last years accounts.
We have just completed this for three charities with a minimal expense to the chair and a massive saving long term with the reduced inputting required.

[Tina Collins]

I’ve joined the chat as we have properties registered with the Custodian which we need to register with LR.

[Tina Collins]

We have just started to do this, as per an AA recommendation to check eligibility every 3-5 years and sent all the residents an abbreviated version of the application form (finance only) section. It has been very helpful to identify who is receiving benefits and if someone could be claiming something which they were perhaps unaware of.

[Tina Collins]

I also work from home, with a fully-equipped dedicated office and t works well for me and saves the Charity money

[Tina Collins]

Thanks William, I will have a look

[Tina Collins]

My understanding is that every premises must have an EPC every 10 years but there is confusion as to whether this also needs to be done when the property becomes void in between times.

[Tina Collins]

Stick as rigidly to your scheme provisions as possible, speak to them to find out their current position, then visit them to assess for yourself their ability to live independently. Some applicants will emphasise certain elements to get onto your waiting list, that in reality may not be as severe as they may sound.

[Tina Collins]

Hi Lisa
I have dedicated emails and a cloud-shared drive or each charity so the trustees can share access to their charity’s files.
As I am self-employed I use my own telephone, laptop, printer etc.
Kind regards
Tina

[Tina Collins]

Hi Lisa
I work for three different almshouse charities, as a self-employed clerk so working from home.
Being self-employed makes it easier for the charity and me!
Regards
Tina

[Tina Collins]

We are also looking at increasing our WMC as it has not kept in line with expenses etc.

We are not a registered housing provider, and our scheme currently includes background heating and water which we are seeking to change/exclude. Our current rates are well below the LHA levels and the Fair Rent Evaluation recently conducted by the Valuation Office.

As we are not a registered housing provider can we increase our rates as we wish, as the local housing benefit office advised me that we can only raise them by 7.7% pa?

As the majority of our residents claim HB, I am wondering if we could do a big jump but then offer to support that self-financing?

Has anyone any experience of making a large leap to get straight as the incremental annual increases we are taking will take years to get us where we need to be.

[Tina Collins]

I recommend Quick File. It is very reasonable with no monthly subscription to pay.

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