Ethical Property Foundation
Almost all charitable organisations come into contact with the commercial property world through letting or buying a building to run their projects. The Ethical Property Foundation was set up in recognition of the fact that the property world can be a daunting prospect without access to specialist advice. Their Property Advice Service was developed in response to the lack of accessible, low cost commercial property advice and consultancy to charities and community organisations.
The Foundation’s London office was established in 2005 with 2007 seeing the expansion of the Property Advice Service to Bristol. Patsy Newton, the Foundation’s Regional Property Manager currently provides advice to charities and community groups in Bristol and the surrounding area.
What services do you offer?
At present our main focus in Bristol is our Property Advice Service, which provides information, advice and expertise from the property sector on all aspects of renting, buying and managing property. We help organisations to grow their skills and confidence to enable them to achieve positive property outcomes. The basic Property Advice Service is free of charge, although we do also offer longer term, or more in-depth pieces of work which can be commissioned on a consultancy basis. We also run training events, seminars and workshops aimed at keeping the sector up to date with property issues.
What are your recent successes?
The Property Advice Service has received a very positive response from its users since it was established just over a year ago and has delivered face-to-face advice to over 50 organisations in the area. The nature of the property sector means that problems generally cannot be overcome instantly. Property Advice Service clients have identified the service as an “incredibly helpful, reassuring and understanding” source of advice and support.
Success stories from our Property Advice Service so far have included assistance provided to a community group around the removal of a significant charge placed on their building. Their success has meant that ownership of the building has been transferred to the community group making the organisation freeholders, and has thus enabled them to be more flexible about how they might tackle their need for more space.
In July 2007 the Foundation partnered with Social Enterprise Works, and with support from Bristol Development Trusts Network and Bristol City Council (BCC), delivered a successful and topical day conference on ‘The Quirk Review and Asset Transfer’. The event attracted over 90 participants from 49 organisations, with national speakers including Quirk Review author Andrew Robinson, local case studies, and presentations from South West agencies including from Bristol City Council (BCC), the South West Regional Development Agency, Development Trusts Association and Big Lottery. The day provided opportunities for voluntary sector attendees to network with decision makers and funders and to hear directly about important government policy and developments in community buildings.
What is an ethical commercial property sector and is it achievable in Bristol?
The Foundation would take into account a range of factors in defining what an ethical commercial property sector might look like. Does a landlord manage their properties environmentally? Is the lease fairly balanced between landlord and tenant? Do they purchase ethical services ensuring, for instance, that cleaners are paid a fair wage? Our core area of work in Bristol is delivering property advice around a whole spectrum of property queries including environmental issues. Through such advice provision we are contributing to achieving our goal of an ethical commercial property sector in Bristol.
How do you see Asset Transfer working for voluntary & community groups in Bristol?
This is an exciting time for the third sector with the current shift in Government policy to addressing the issue of asset transfer. The Foundation is keen to support asset transfer to the third sector. Our Quirk Review seminar was an exciting opportunity for us to bring together groups who could potentially benefit from asset transfer with those individuals who have the power to implement such changes.
What benefits do you get from being a member of Voscur?
One of the most important benefits is being a part of a network of organiSations who seek to positively influence what happens in Bristol. Receiving regular e-bulletins that Voscur circulates is a great way for us to stay up to date with events taking place in the community and changes in the sector which may affect our work.
How can people get in contact you?
Looking for new premises? Problems with your landlord or tenants? Could your premises be earning you more? Need help ‘greening’ your office? For advice or support around these or any other areas of concern regarding your property please contact the Foundation’s Regional Property Manager, Patsy Newton, on 0117 916 6455 or email: patsynewton@ethicalproperty.org.uk
The Foundation’s website is packed with jargon-free information on finding, renting, buying and managing premises – from a charity perspective. You will also find information on funding for premises projects and getting the best from property professionals. Use of our web-based resources is free of charge. www.ethicalproperty.org.uk
