RICS (the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), in association with NCVO and the Charity Finance Directors' Group, has set up Charity Property Help for charities and other voluntary organisations.

The scheme provides a one-hour consultation free of charge on matters such as property strategy, property management, project management, office relocation, rent reviews, service charges, dilapidations, lease renewals, disposing of freehold and leasehold properties, capital additions, planning issues, rates, council tax, environmental issues, health and safety, Disability Discrimination Act compliance, risk and disaster management, landlord and tenant disputes, and disputes relating to boundaries, repairs, builders or insurance claims. If additional time is required, a fee is negotiated.

Details are at www.charitypropertyhelp.com.

Another source of information about property issues is the Ethical Property Foundation, at www.ethicalproperty.org.uk, which provides written briefings and training on property issues, and has a helpline for charities and other voluntary organisations.