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Building Management Resource

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) – the leading building science centre – has today announced the creation of the PV Fire Intelligence Network (PV-FIN) – a steering group of leading organisations to analyse the fire safety of solar PV (photovoltaic) systems. A group of solar PV and component manufacturers, fire experts, and solar safety solution providers will form the network, chaired by BRE.

“Earlier this summer, the Association for Rental Living (ARL) contributed to the House of Lords Inquiry into the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), submitting comprehensive evidence based on the input of our institutionally backed, professionally manged purpose-built rental living sector members, and the issues they have faced. 

Major roof repair work has now begun on three of the Ravenscraig multi-storey tower blocks in Kirkcaldy following the resolution of a controversial billing issue that had drawn strong reaction from residents.

In July 2020 the Law Commission published three reports containing over 100 recommendations to enhance leaseholders’ rights to extend their leases, buy their freeholds and take over the management of their buildings.

The latest market analysis by London’s leading estate and lettings agent, Foxtons, shows that demand for homes with electric vehicle (EV) charging points remains robust across many areas of the capital, with this shifting preference set to continue despite the Government’s latest Budget confirming a future mileage based tax for EV owners. 

More than a year on from the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act (LAFRA), there is a feeling in the leasehold enfranchisement sector of progress, but also anticipation and some frustration. There is relief that progress has been made after years of debate, frustration that many of the LAFRA’s provisions remain unimplemented and anticipation as we await secondary legislation and a draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill.

The recent Autumn Budget announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves drew significant attention, heightened by the unusual early release of key details. In the end, the measures were more restrained than many anticipated. While there are changes that affect investors and owners of higher-value homes, the Budget is far less severe than many feared. Most importantly, if the plans do succeed in easing inflation, this could support lower interest rates and offer welcome relief to mortgage holders as early as the next Monetary Policy Committee meeting in December.

Cleaners and concierges at the luxury West End Quay (WEQ) development in Paddington – where flats sell for millions – have announced a 12-day Christmas strike from 19 December 2025 to 2 January 2026, after bosses reneged on an ACAS-brokered agreement and imposed a year-long pay freeze on low-paid, non-managerial staff only.

Throughout 2025 I have spent hours in meetings with and on discussion panels with institutional investors, developers and local authorities. And everything I’ve picked up on in the last year suggests that 2026 will be a crossroads for Build to Rent (BTR). The fundamentals are as strong as they have ever been. Demand for quality rental homes is intense, capital is available and the development pipeline is substantial.

Property management company The FirstPort Group, which manages over 100 heat networks across the UK, has set up a dedicated Energy Team. The team will support clients in meeting the requirements introduced under the Energy Act 2023 – a landmark reform set to transform the management of communal heat networks and enhance service reliability for residents.   

A substantial apartment block in the heart of Fitzrovia in London has gone on sale for offers over £11 million.  Watling Real Estate has been instructed to sell Emerson Bainbridge House on behalf of Oliver Haunch and Hina Patel of Grant Thornton, the joint administrators of Zeba Properties Ltd.