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A property management company has launched an innovative new app to help its clients log issues and track repairs on their phone. Block Management UK has launched its new Dwellant app, which is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, giving stakeholders and residents access to a centralised hub detailing all repair work and issues raised where they live. David Collinson, MD of Block Management, said: “This brilliant new app not only speeds up our repair and maintenance process, it also gives

IWM is the industry buzz word this year, but is it just that, or is there merit in adopting an alternative approach? The industry standard herbicide for weed control is Glyphosate, and whilst it is the optimum chemical for providing a long-term solution, there is no doubt the Glyphosate debate will no continue well into 2023. But does adopting IWM as part of the process make a real difference? Here we provide the information and key points of consideration that will help answer these questions. What is IW

UK private investors of all sizes are being given a unique chance to be part of a business targeting the property maintenance market worth £30bn through an intuitive digital platform called EVO, already the favoured choice of Housing Associations and Registered Providers.   The platform, which connects landlords, tenants and tradespeople with simple, easy to use technology, also has a positive social impact with its mission to solve Britain’s broken rental property sector where some 2.8m people are living

A recent nationwide landlord survey run by property insurance experts, Lansdown Insurance Brokers has found that two-thirds of landlords have considered reducing their rents to help their tenants during the cost-of-living-crisis, whilst three-quarters have contemplated freezing their rents at this time.  One hundred and seventy landlords throughout the country took part in the Lansdown landlords survey which set out to uncover how landlords are dealing with swiftly rising costs alongside ensuring social a

Brendan Geraghty, Chief Executive Officer, The UKAA comments: “The Build to Rent sector has a key role to play in addressing the housing shortage in the UK delivering affordable, high quality, secure accommodation for those whose access to home ownership is limited and helping to accelerate housing delivery. The growth of the sector is dependent on continuing to attract capital investment. However, the biggest obstacle to delivering these homes is the planning system. “The on-going delays to planning exac

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has set out his plan to encourage economic growth across the UK in his Spring Budget. The announcement of twelve new high investment zones located in the Midlands, Greater Manchester, Teesside, Liverpool, and other parts of the Midlands and the north, spells encouraging news for the local property market. Testament to the governments levelling up scheme, the East of England and the Northwest are the second and third most popular locations for housing market activity in the UK, with

Daniel Chard, Partner at UK conveyancing solicitors Bird & Co, uses search engine research to uncover the UK’s most common conveyancing queries to celebrate National Conveyancing Week. Chard’s expert commentary, answering common FAQs surrounding conveyancing, aims to educate and inform the general public in understanding the role of conveyancing in the property transaction process. This is in line with National Conveyancing Week, commencing March 20th , which seeks to boost the profile of conveyancing acr

One piece of information brokers need to know before quoting or renewing a policy is the Buildings Declared Value of the building. That is the sum on which your cover is based and even though it is an estimate of the cost of rebuilding in the unlikely event of a total loss, getting it wrong can affect even the smallest claim. Under-declaring is usually unintentional, because people don’t realise the importance of keeping their valuation up to date. If it is intentional, with a view to reducing premiums

The deadline for developers to sign the Building Safety Contract has now passed, and despite Government threats to block from the market those who don’t comply, only 11 developers are confirmed to have formally signed up to fix their unsafe buildings. This result will certainly be disappointing to Michael Gove, given that 49 developers signed a pledge in August 2022, committing to carry out critical safety works and to reimburse taxpayers.  developers who have signed confirmed the contract does not materi

Housebuilders want chancellor Jeremy Hunt to get cladding and insulation product manufacturers to contribute to the estimated £3bn bill to make hundreds of risky flats safe. The trade body, in its Spring budget representation, is arguing for a levy, or a corporation tax surcharge, so that they can contribute to the post Grenfell remediation bill. Home Builders Federation, HBF, executive chairman Stewart Baseley said: "It is only the private home building industry which has been repeatedly targeted for con

The historically high inflation rates of the last year continue to affect every corner of the economy. The cost-of-living crisis is clearly impacting the housebuilding sector, threatening to dampen property demand; pushing down on margins as construction costs increase and slowing the speed that new properties can be turned over. In the UK housing market as a whole, values are beginning to fall.  Allied to this, many analysts fear that interest rates – which have more than doubled in the last 6 months – a

Leading shared ownership provider SO Resi recently launched its latest development in the capital, SO Resi Whetstone, comprising 17 one and two-bedroom apartments. With the average first time buyer deposit in London now a staggering £125,000 according to research from Halifax, SO Resi Whetstone will offer a more accessible route to homeownership, with the new homes exclusively available to purchase through shared ownership. All homes have been designed with flexible living in mind, featuring open-plan kit