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Modulr - Easily open a tenement account today

17-09-2024

BY CHRIS KRIEGLER

Modulr - Easily open a tenement account today
Most traditional banks do not offer specific products tailored for tenements and their repairs, making the management of shared repairs highly challenging. The Novoville Shared Repairs app addresses this issue by allowing owners in a virtual tenement to open a Modulr payment account, specifically designed to manage their property's repair and maintenance needs.

What is Modulr?


Modulr is a financial services provider regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). They have been offering services such as digital accounts and transfer capabilities (called “e-money”) since 2016. £100bn flows through their system every year. For more information, please visit Modulr's FAQs here.

Benefits of using Modulr payment accounts through Novoville app


This simplifies repairs’ financial dealings, negating the need for traditional maintenance accounts from high street banks. There are no
extra charges for account opening, maintenance, or closure (all are included in Novoville’s fee). Novoville, as an Authorised User, can manage the
account on your behalf (such as move money around), following your direct instructions. These accounts are usually opened within 48-72 hours.

Modulr vs Traditional Banking


Modulr offers a modern alternative to conventional bank accounts. It provides all the essential features like account number, sort codes and digital access. As an Authorised Electronic Money Institution, Modulr FS Limited is empowered to issue e-money, hold client funds in safeguarded accounts, and offer related payment services, adhering to stringent regulatory standards.

Safeguarding Your Funds


Money held in your account is yours. It is not Novoville’s or Modulr. Modulr provides a robust safeguarding mechanism for your funds. As they explain:

“100% of client funds related to the e-money that Modulr FS Ltd has issued are segregated from Modulr’s own funds and are held within designated Client Money Accounts with our clearing bank. This means 100% of client funds are protected from any risk associated with Modulr’s solvency.” Furthermore, Modulr maintains minimum “own funds” requirements to ensure that, in the case of any business issues, “there are enough funds to support an orderly business wind-down and the process of returning of client funds held back to clients.”

You can verify Modulr's registration with the FCA here, and Novoville's here.

Compliance with Tenement Management Scheme’s rules


The money held in your account is not invested by Novoville or Modulr, and is not generating income. Novoville adheres to the Law Society's guidelines regarding interest payments, making them payable upon request. However, to keep our charges low, we kindly ask that our clients do not ask for interest payments.The app today doesn’t offer “two signatories” over the account. This is unnecessary thanks to the way the app has been designed. This rule was designed to avoid money being diverted or misspent. Through the app, it’s only possible to pay the contractor that has been selected in order to carry out the work (the beneficiary of the funds is locked).

Related Articles:
- Emergency Repairs on the Novoville Shared Repairs app
- "Missing shares" for common repairs: what can your council do for you?
- Landlord Story: managing repairs from a long-distance
- Legal Responsibilities and Obligations of Property Owners for Shared Repairs