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Affordable housing provider SO Resi, part of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), one of the UK’s largest housing associations, has unveiled its second annual report into the status of shared ownership in England. The report reveals the housing aspirations of the next generation of homebuyers, and a crucial need for greater education on housing options for young people. From the 2,000 18-30-year-olds who were surveyed by phone across the UK, 70% of respondents said they would prefer to own their own

Samantha Massey, fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Director at The Property Institute (TPI), is launching a new service aimed at reinvigorating the experience of customers in residential property management. As a trailblazer for women in the residential property industry and cofounder of Doyenne, the networking group for women in block management, Sam is no stranger to ground-breaking initiatives in block and estate management. Now, after a distinguished career of over two de

The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) claims that rental reform should remain the core property-based focus despite the recent resignation of Boris Johnson and the multitude of Cabinet resignations that took place to force him to go.    Since being appointed as prime minister, Boris Johnson pledged to serve the country by making levelling up and housing some of his key policy goals.    However, lack of trust in Johnson’s ability to lead the country following the partygate scandal at the p

New homes developments under construction may look like exciting places to explore, but the developer is warning children and their parents that they can be extremely hazardous.   Simon Wood, Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Eastern Counties, said: “Developers like ourselves are building more new homes at sites all over the country, but until they are completed these places can be dangerous.   “Whilst we do watch out for youngsters during the day and secure our developments at night, we

The High Court’s recent decision to sanction a Restructuring Plan for a holiday lettings company could have significant implications for distressed small and medium-sized property businesses and their creditors in the future, say lawyers at Irwin Mitchell.   Operating in eight countries and employing 300 people via independent contractors, Houst and its subsidiaries specialise in providing property management services for short-term and holiday lettings. The business lists properties on various websites,

In 2002, News on the Block launched as a magazine for the property management industry. As we reach Issue 120, we wanted to celebrate this milestone and thank all those who’ve helped make it happen... I t feels like only yesterday – but News on the Block this year celebrates its 20th year of publication! And since we launched in May 2002 we’ve gone from strength to strength. We thought we’d mark our milestone in our 120th issue of our bi-monthly magazine. News on the Block became a digital magazine back i

Issue 120 of News on the Block has now been published and is available to read online. This issue includes a special Enfranchisement & Right to Manage Awards feature including all the winners and some wonderful photos from the awards ceremony.  This issue includes some of the following articles:  New housing secretary starts building bridges Property managers advised to take Building Safety Act steps Celebrating 20 years of News on the Block Q&A - What is the right of light? The heat is on to get

Law firm mfg Solicitors has expanded its widely-respected commercial property team with the appointment of a new associate solicitor. Experienced lawyer Phil Hunt has joined mfg and will be based at the firm’s growing offices in Birmingham. Phil brings a variety of commercial property expertise acting for developers, investors and occupiers, with particular experience in battery storage projects. Working alongside partner Beth Margetson, Phil will support Birmingham’s growing client base.  Beth Margetson

This year has already been incredible for Future Fuel: The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) went live in May allowing for two OZEV-funded projects to be awarded within the week. The division also launched its new consultancy service in early 2022 and by July had won Partner of the Year at the ACE Awards.  As knowledge leaders, they are a conduit for news and updates, always readily available to share their expansive knowledge on EV charging. As of 2022, Future Fuel has made more than 40 presentat

The careful management of Birmingham’s finest pre-World War II apartments has led to more than £100,000 in savings, credits and claims for leaseholders’ funds in the last three years. Principle Estate Management won the contract to look after the 162 mansion flats at Viceroy Close in Edgbaston back in early 2019. The development, built in 1937, ranges from one to five bedrooms across eight buildings on an eight-acre site. Viceroy Close was designed by Mitchell and Bridgwater in conjunction with Gollins an

Leading fire safety experts FR Consultants has made a £1000 charity donation to Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club recently to purchase new training kit. Now in their new home under the Westway flyover in North Kensington, the club operated from a gym that was destroyed during the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy over five years ago. The survival of the club, which has crafted the likes of championship boxers James DeGale, George Groves, and Daniel Dubois, is a testament to the strength and resilience that the c

What a summer it has been, we've been busy tendering for new clients all along the South Coast and along the M3 corridor up to London and we're proud to have been selected on some flagship estates in our region. Following our move to bigger offices in Southampton, in the prestigious Ocean Village estate, we have seen a huge increase in enquiries and subsequent instructions, as we have proved we are here to stay and our services come highly recommended. Some of the sites we have won from our Southampton of