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Why choose a leased line?

Like any leased line service, BTnet is a larger investment for your business than a standard broadband connection, but the benefits could easily out-weigh the costs.

With BT Business Broadband, you can count on a rapid, dependable Internet connection, but there are many reasons why it’s also worth thinking about a BTnet Leased Line.

When considering the type of Internet connection you need, think about these 5 questions:

1. How many users do you have?

A business broadband connection is not typically designed to be used for large offices. As the number of users in an office scales up, you are very likely to benefit from a more robust, leased line connection.

Consideration needs to be given to typical bandwidth requirement per user. If typical bandwidth requirement per user is high, then even small offices may benefit from a BTnet connection.

We’d like to help you in understanding the best internet service for your requirements, to find out more, please call us on 0800 707 6315.

2. Is uploading critical to your business?

If you send large files, host data at a head office or support the demands of end users with fast download speeds, you need a large upload bandwidth to support it.

BTnet offers guaranteed symmetric upload speeds as well as download speeds.

3. Is Internet connection speed critical?

With a business broadband connection, you may notice reduction in speed during peak hours or variable line speeds at different times of the day.

BTnet Leased Lines on the other hand are fully un-contended (1:1 contention ratio) meaning you will never share the bandwidth with other Internet users.

4. How much bandwidth do you need?

Broadband speed, regardless of your provider, can be affected by your distance from the exchange, line quality, contention and other factors.

BTnet Leased Lines offer guaranteed dedicated bandwidth so your applications always have the required bandwidth to perform to their best.

5. If your connection to the Internet went down, would you lose business?

BTnet offers a market leading Service Level Agreement (SLA) including money back targets on service availability, delivery and performance. We’re confident BTnet will meet and exceed your expectations, but if we don’t meet our targets, we’ll give you money back on a later bill.

via Why choose a leased line? – BTnet Leased Line – BT Business.

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Accounting systems and procedures

1. Service Charge Budget – We produce an annual expenditure budget before the start of each financial year to calculate service charges and reserves and ensure that charges are set correctly. This is a good opportunity every year to look at all costs and identify where savings might be made. It also helps in budgeting for future major works contracts. The building will have its own designated Accounts Manager, based at our offices in Dyke Road, with their own ‘direct dial’ telephone number and email address.
2. Issuing Demands – The collection of service charges and ground rents. We serve appropriate Notices and issue demands in accordance with the terms of the lease. We manage buildings with complicated service charge provisions (eg charging in advance, in arrears and with partial clawback) and our staff are experienced in dealing with all situations.
3. Bank Accounts – We set up and manage designated bank accounts. Our Clients Accounts are with Barclays Bank with no bank charges and all interest being credited to the properties. We administer monies held efficiently and correctly.
4. Bank Reconciliation – Our accounting procedures have a great deal of transparency while maintaining security. As we are Regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), all of our Clients Accounts are reconciled to the penny on a monthly basis.
5. Arrears Collection – We have strong systems in place for the collection of service charge and ground rent arrears. Where necessary and with our client’s consent, solicitors or debt recovery agents are instructed in the collection of unpaid service charges. We do not charge additional fees for the collection of arrears.
6. Service Charge Accounts – We liaise closely with accountants to produce annual service charge accounts. As a member firm of the RICS, year end accounts have to be audited by an external firm of Chartered Accountants. These must be produced and circulated to leaseholders within six months of the financial year end.

Insurances

• Competitive Premiums – We are Appointed Representatives of R T Williams Ltd Insurance Brokers based in Dyke Road, Hove. This has enabled us to deal directly with the insurers on claims and other matters relating to insurances. It has also been necessary for our staff to have Financial Services Authority (FSA) training. Most of the buildings under our management are now insured with Aviva and this buying power has resulted in low annual premiums and favourable renewal terms in the event of a high claims ratio. The brokers are on hand to deal with insurance matters on a day to day basis and carry out full market premium comparisons at the time of renewal.
• Types of insurances – The brokers assist in the arrangement of insurances for buildings, contents, engineering equipment, public liability, employers liability and Directors’ and Officers’ insurance. The terms of the policies can be varied to suit the property and are reviewed constantly.
• Claims Handling – We work closely with the insurers and the brokers to ensure that claims are handled efficiently and correctly.
• Rebuilding Valuations – It is important to ensure that a valuation for rebuilding purposes is carried out at least every three years. We work closely with a firm of Quantity Surveyors and can arrange this when required. The annual premium is directly linked with this valuation figure and insurers may refuse or reduce claim settlements if the figure is shown as being incorrect.

General management

1. Property Manager – Your building will have its own designated Property Manager, based at our offices in Dyke Road in Hove, with their own ‘direct dial’ telephone number and email address. We have a strong team of Property Managers and can therefore ensure continuity of service during periods of holiday or illness.
2. Legal – We deal with basic legal matters, such as, Notices of Transfer, Notices of Assent and Notices of Charge in respect of individual flats. We are also pleased to interpret the terms of the lease when required. We keep clients informed on changes in legal requirements and liaise with solicitors as necessary.
3. Staff supervision – When required, we supervise caretakers, gardeners and cleaners. We complete regular appraisals, compile lists of duties and arrange for employment contracts to be prepared as required.
4. Contracts – We negotiate and manage service contracts for the building, e.g. lifts, boilers and fire alarms on behalf of the freehold or management company. We also negotiate with fuel companies when required in order to achieve savings. This is all included within our basic management fee.
5. Visits to the building – We will visit the property at a frequency to be agreed to check its condition and to deal with minor repairs. Our surveying department will carry out an initial inspection in order to programme any necessary ‘major works’ over the next five years. On a day-to-day basis, our Property Managers will inspect and deal with minor repairs. For more complex repairs or maintenance problems our Surveying Department are on hand to inspect and act as required.
6. Daily matters arising – Our Property Managers are professional and courteous and deal as promptly as possible with enquiries or complaints from residents on matters relating to the buildings under our management.
7. Meetings – Our offices are open during working hours to accept service charge/ground rent payments and to meet with flat owners. We are always pleased to attend residents’ or directors’ meetings held during normal office hours.

via Austin Rees

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