Living in a block of flats comes with plenty of perks – shared spaces, managed amenities, built-in community, and often a great location. But it also comes with a shared responsibility.
When multiple households are living under one roof, good communication isn’t just helpful, it is essential.
Whether it’s a chat about noisy neighbours or a heads-up about muddy boots in the hallway, open and easy communication makes for smoother day-to-day living and a more positive atmosphere.
Managing agents should play a big part in helping that happen.
Why communication matters in shared spaces
In single-occupancy homes, if something goes wrong (the boiler breaks, the bins are missed, the neighbours are noisy) it’s usually down to one household to resolve.
In blocks of flats, one issue can affect dozens of people, and when everyone’s busy with work, families, and life in general, it’s all too easy for issues to drag on or frustrations to grow.
Noise complaints, messy communal areas, confusion over parking spaces or the recycling schedule – when left unchecked, issues like this can sour relationships and damage trust between neighbours.
That’s why managing agents need to do more than just respond to problems, they need to make it easy for people to raise them in the first place and to be proactively informed of matters.
That’s where the right digital tools come in.
A streamlined approach: MyBNS
At BNS, we know how the right platform can transform how homeowners communicate, both with each other and with their managing agent.
That’s why we created MyBNS, our bespoke online portal and mobile app designed specifically for homeowners in the developments we manage.
With MyBNS, amongst other things residents can:
- Report maintenance issues quickly and easily
- See issues raised by others, if made visible, so everyone stays in the loop
- Stay in touch with our team from anywhere, at any time
- Check updates on their development in real time
- Make service charge payments securely
One of the key features of MyBNS is the ability to submit a support ticket.
Homeowners can share it with BNS only, who in turn can make it visible to their resident management company directors should the owner so wish.
That means if someone spots a maintenance issue – like a faulty entry door or a leak in a shared stairwell – they can flag it straight away and others can see it’s already being handled.
No repeat emails. No crossed wires. Just clarity.
It’s not about replacing human conversations – BNS is still at the end of the phone if you need us!
It’s about making sure people don’t have to chase updates or wonder if something’s being dealt with.
Everyday friction points and how communication can help
At BNS, we have years of experience managing developments of all shapes and sizes and there are a few recurring issues we see in multi-occupancy buildings.
None of them are huge on their own, but if they’re not managed well, they can lead to tension:
- Noise: Every lease includes clauses about noise, but not everyone reads them. Through MyBNS, a homeowner or a member of the BNS team can raise concerns quickly and calmly. A simple conversation or gentle reminder logged through the portal often resolves things before they snowball.
- Communal areas: Bikes in hallways, muddy boots by the door, parcels blocking access – these things add up and can also be a safety issue. BNS clients can utilise MyBNS to send a quick message to BNS along with supporting photos meaning things can be resolved swiftly, without creating tension between neighbours.
- Parking: Allocated spaces and visitor bays are common topics that arise in multiple occupancy developments. MyBNS gives homeowners a central, accessible place to flag parking concerns, helping to resolve misunderstandings early and avoiding disputes. Resident newsletters or assistive guidelines can also be stored on the portal and given to new homeowners to aid understanding.
- Bins and recycling: Overflowing bins or incorrect recycling can cause frustration. MyBNS allows BNS to share development-wide reminders or updates instantly. Homeowners can also flag recurring issues, making it easier to keep things tidy and on track.
In all these cases, the earlier the issue is flagged the easier it is to resolve, and the less likely it is to snowball into a major complaint.
Encouraging neighbour-to-neighbour conversations
While managing agents are there to help with formal matters, not every issue is appropriate to go through them.
Often, it’s just a case of neighbours needing to touch base.
Some residents set up informal WhatsApp or Facebook groups to share reminders, flag parcel deliveries, or just check in on one another.
It’s not something BNS formally sets up as managing agents, but when used well by homeowners and residents these groups can be a great tool for community and communication.
They also work best alongside a proper channel like your managing agent’s online portal, where homeowners know official issues are being tracked and dealt with.
Living well in multiple occupancy properties is centred on communication being clear, manageable, and respectful.
Managing agents have a big role to play in setting the tone, providing the right tools, and responding quickly when things need attention.
At BNS, we’re proud to support blocks and estates across the South West of England and Wales.
MyBNS is part of our commitment to streamlined and transparent communication that is at the heart of our service.
Because when communication is easy; living in your building is a lot smoother.
