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The Right to Manage (RTM) was introduced in 2002 giving flat owners a no fault right to collectively take over the management functions in respect of their building via an RTM company. It has provided a very useful alternative to collectively acquiring the freehold as no premium is payable and the process is shorter and arguably less complex.  However there have been some problems and so the Government tasked the Law Commission to undertake a review of the existing RTM legislation with a view to improving

Issue 121 of News on the Block has now been published and is available to read online. This issue includes a special PropTech feature sponsored by Hyperoptic.  This issue includes some of the following articles:  Tribunal hits out at S20 consultation  Report finding leads to call for education on housing  How to deal with angry customers  Are you set for the Building Safety Fund?  Putting sustainability first is crucial  How technology is changing health and wellbeing  19 reasons to wait for Lease

Specialist property solicitors JB Leitch are pleased to report they have retained Tier 3 status in the new Legal 500 rankings for property litigation for the third consecutive year. Acknowledged as the world’s largest independent legal referral guide, the rankings for 2023 are based on a broad series of criteria, including strong technical ability available for the most complex and innovative work, client recommendation and results. In a remarkable achievement, Legal Director Phil Parkinson has been award

A webinar explaining the best way to navigate the tough new Facebook advertising rules for estate agents is to be hosted by online valuation specialists, The ValPal Network (TVPN).  Head of marketing, Steph Rady and industry advertising expert, Paul Long, will address the recent Facebook updates, explain how they are affecting estate agents and outline what can be done to reduce the chances of accounts being restricted.  In December last year, Facebook introduced the ‘Special Ad Category: Housing’ update

A stylish collection of 102 apartments in a former Edwardian warehouse set in London’s famous Camden Town are to be looked after by Principle Estate Management. The converted property known as Carlow House is a striking example of 1930s art deco architecture, with the one and two bedroomed apartments arranged around a four-storey atrium with a daytime concierge. The right-to-manage (RTM) company responsible for the development appointed Principle after a full tender. Although Principle already manages mul

Residential property management company FirstPort is putting environmental sustainability at the top of its agenda – with community partnerships at the heart of its biodiversity plans.    As part of its sustainability work, a group of conservation students from Surrey have teamed up with FirstPort to create an ecological plan to conserve and improve the ponds, grassland, and woodlands at their local retirement development.  The work with the college is just one example of how Christian Phipps, Sustainabil

Lynda Clark, CEO of First Time Buyer Group, Comments: “It’s about time the Government takes housing as a subject of address. We’re less than a month away from the end of Help to Buy, but we have yet to see an alternative low deposit scheme with the same level of oomph, though shared ownership is an invaluable option for many. “Affordability remains a concern for the next generation of homeowners, with the average house price now above the current Stamp Duty threshold for first time buyers. The Government’

Housing provider A2Dominion has signed a contract with award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group, to deliver a scheme of 125 units to house a minimum of 340 key workers at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Due for completion in October 2025, the residential scheme replaces the existing Ivy Lane accommodation and includes seven new apartment buildings, ranging from three to five storeys high. Designed to meet the needs of the Trust’s staff, the site is made up of 68 apartments and 57 cluster units, e

Channel Islands residents are the most active overseas investors in UK residential property, according to a new study from Solomon Investment Partners. In July 2022, Land Registry data showed a total of 93,754 UK property purchases by overseas investors, which included a mixture of private individuals and corporations. Analysis of the data found that those based in the Channel Islands purchased 33,788 UK properties, over 10,000 more than other nations, and more than a third of all UK residential property

The new people focused, passion led brand provides temporary, contract and permanent staff for your on-site teams. They also offer outsourced solutions to enable you to focus your time and energy on managing your buildings whilst they take care of your workforce.   Accord aims to shake up the traditional approach to on-site recruitment and management by implementing creative new recruitment processes supported by modern technology and the company’s vision for challenging convention.  Zoe Southwell, Associ

QUESTION  "I have a leasehold flat on the first floor with a loft space. I want to convert this into another room / loft conversion but the freeholder who lives downstairs on the ground floor will not give their permission as they think the process will be too noisy.  Is there anything else I can do if this is their only reasoning for not giving consent? Any advice would be appreciated.   ANSWER It is not clear if the loft space above your flat forms part of your demise or not.  If not, then the freeholde

21st September 2022 saw all motive8’s fully managed facilities embrace National Fitness Day. The day saw a total of 75 residents take part in the pull-up challenge with a leaderboard created across the portfolio using the motive8 wellbeing app. Many more residents took part but chose not to join the leaderboard. Staff and Personal Trainers were also encouraged to set the benchmark for residents to beat, which provided some great friendly competition. Group Exercise Sessions  Group exercise taster sessions