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MRI Software, a global leader in real estate software solutions, and OSCRE International, a nonprofit consortium focused on the development and implementation support of real estate data standards, announced that the MRI Agora platform will use the OSCRE Industry Data Model™ (IDM) to help clients improve strategic decision-making and reporting and easily integrate disparate software applications.   “MRI and OSCRE have a shared mission to improve data quality and consistency and ease the burden of integrat

Following recent success in the Legal 500 listings, JB Leitch receives further accreditation in the Chambers Rankings for 2024. The Chambers & Partners UK Guide for the year 2024, the most researched Guide to date, was launched last week and it has been confirmed that specialist property firm JB Leitch has been ranked for the first time. Chambers and Partners has been the leading source of independent legal market intelligence for over 30 years, providing a listing for the top ranked lawyers and law fi

The government’s more landlord-friendly approach on encouraging residential landlords to meet minimum energy efficiency standards has been welcomed by Principle Estate Management. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Mr Sunak has announced that no legislation will be introduced requiring property owners to make energy efficiency improvements, known as EPC ratings. And he also pledged that extra money would be made available to those who wanted to replace their gas boilers with heat pumps. Lauren O’Brien, head of le

The UK is facing a bed bug epidemic, with pest control companies reporting a surge in infestations in recent years. Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on human blood. They are typically found in mattresses, bedding, and furniture, and can be brought into your home on luggage, clothing, or even secondhand furniture. Bed bug bites can be itchy and uncomfortable, and can sometimes lead to infection. While bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, they can cause significant distress and sleep d

A national trade body is urging householders to take steps to prevent rats seeking refuge in their homes from flooding. Areas across the UK have been hit by localised flooding, some very severe in parts, following the arrival of Storm Babet.  British Pest Control Association (BPCA), is urging householders to take preventative steps now to avoid the risk of an infestation. Dee Ward-Thompson, BPCA Head of Technical, said: “Each year winter weather forces some rats to seek warmer, indoor spaces near a source

A national trade body has drawn up a list of measures householders can take to protect their homes against flooding. The Property Care Association says that unsettled weather patterns being seen year on year – including Storm Babet – mean flood resilience is becoming paramount for many householders across the UK. Flood resilience measures are solutions that can make properties better withstand flood events. James Berry, Deputy CEO of the Property Care Association, said: “Our tips suggest some measures tha

The highly successful team at accountants and business advisors Whitley Stimpson are continuing to receive national recognition. Staff have been selected as finalists in the Service Provider Team Award category of The Rewards, a prestigious industry competition for payroll professionals. It is the fourth time the company, which has offices in Banbury, Bicester, High Wycombe and Witney, has made the finals of an awards scheme in the last year showing how highly regarded it is by its peers. Director Jonatha

No article on selling a leasehold property can go without a mention of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) and the immense difficulties it has now caused on any leasehold flat being sold.  There is a lot more terminology for sellers (and their solicitors) to wrap their heads around and it is important to familiarise yourself and anticipate issues so that you can save time and cut down on the number of questions once the conveyancing process does get going.  Many solicitors are now declining instructions wh

The new UK Government funded Property Advice Service has launched to support SMEs with commercial property related issues, across all London boroughs until March 2025. The free ‘one stop shop’ service is providing in-person and online advice for small and medium size enterprises, micro-businesses and solopreneurs who are struggling with issues such as re-negotiating leases, paying rent arrears, the new energy efficiency rating and business rate relief schemes. For the next 18 months ventures across Greate

Last Wednesday, The BBC’s Rip-Off Britain covered the story of Daniel Bruce and his neighbours. Having bought flats in a new building in Camden in 2019, they have been battling the developers, the building inspector and warranty provider to fix their structurally unsound home. Things are so bad, independent surveyors have recommended the demolition of the building. It’s a shocking but not unfamiliar tale of “nightmare new builds”. The Secretary of State for Housing, Michael Gove, who was interviewed for t

Leading property management firm Rendall & Rittner has been appointed to manage New South Quarter in Croydon, a residential development of over 800 apartments. Providing a dedicated team to look after residents’ needs, Rendall & Rittner took over management services at the beginning of October. The development joins the company’s growing portfolio of over 80,000 homes under management nationwide. New South Quarter is a contemporary urban village built by Barratt Homes conveniently located less than a mile

Hopefully the Principle Accountable Person (PAP) will have now registered their high risk buildings, and they and/or their agents will be working towards creating a building safety case and safety case report in advance of 1st April 2024. From that date the Building Safety Regulator will start calling in Tranche One buildings (those over 30m, with more than 150 units or buildings where the Regulator is aware of existing safety issues) for assessment. Clearing the registration and safety case report hurdle