In 1960, Michael Koopman, together with his father and uncle, set up Michael Koopman & Partners at Denmark House, 71/72 Piccadilly, W1. After his sudden passing in 1983, his wife Irene took over the running of the business, which was eventually passed on to their son Paul, who joined in 1991 and has now run the firm since 1999. Koopmans continues to reflect the high level of integrity, knowledge, service and property nous which have been part and parcel of the firm for five decades. More
	April 2010 Rates Re-valuation – Act Now! Business rates from April 2010 onwards will be based on assessments as at April 2008. All business occupiers will initially receive a draft valuation for information only, with no accompanying rates bill. This enables a challenge to the new Rateable Value – we recommend taking action on receipt of the draft new figure. In March or April 2010, when bills will be sent, there will be a great number of appeals lodged and a consequent back-log of months or possibly years in the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). Contact our team here. Meet Justin Lester You can meet the whole team on our website but a recent recruit, as an Associate, has been Justin Lester MRICS. Justin has a breadth of experience and knowledge in landlord and tenant work covering all property sectors. He has 15 years’ property experience including Lambert Smith Hampton, BNP Paribas Real Estate, Chesterton and Cushman & Wakefield. Justin has been favoured immediately with some interesting work including a rent review of 16,000 sq.ft. of offices and rent reviews on two shopping parades.   Unfreezing Assets Although based in the South-East, Koopmans our Property Management Department looks after properties up and down the country from Bournemouth to Inverness. In Bournemouth, in fact, we manage a property originally built as a garage, with a heyday as an ice rink in the 60’s and 70’s. The property had been neglected and active management was required. In Inverness, we did not buy the property for the client, but they wanted active asset management of their entire portfolio. More   Property Management – More Than Just Collecting The Rent Sheila Orgar, an Associate in the Property Management Dept. has to ensure that not only are rents paid on time but that the properties are maintained, day to day, to a high standard. Sheila comments “If Landlord’s just hope that their tenants will stay that is unlikely to succeed—you have to work at the relationship and as Koopmans are the face of the Landlord that duty falls on us. Old fashioned service is not out of date at all at Koopmans. We have managed some of the properties we look after for over thirty years.” More     Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 The Act which is a cornerstone of the contractual relationship between commercial landlords and their occupiers didn’t change all that much for fifty years. However, in 2006 the Act had a major overhaul. “The provisions of the Act still need to be considered carefully and followed if an occupier is to ensure that he does not lose this security”, comments Justin Lester. “This could lead to the business being over a barrel in any negotiation with the landlord.”More   Celebrate With A Magnum Of Champagne To celebrate our 50 years we are offering one lucky Newsletter recipient the chance to win a Magnum of Champagne. All you have to do is tell us which jeweller and silversmith occupied 71-72 Piccadilly, W1 at the end of the 19th Century? The winner will be drawn from all correct answers received by February 26. Email here to enter.               Latest News • Site sold at 179 Verulam Road, St Albans to Romans Performance Cars • Ground Lease rent review settled, Sandy, Beds • Ground Floor, 17 Saville Row, W1 – Let • Dilapidations claim settled on behalf of Flamingo Holdings Ltd   Interesting fact In 1962 MK & P acquired 182 Dalton Road Barrow in Furness for Army & Navy Stores. Almost fifty years later, Koopmans acted for the landlord in the 21 year rent review at No. 176 against John Menzies plc securing a good uplift for the next 21 years.     Follow what we are up to on  © 2010 Koopmans