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Key insights into the challenges of installing electric vehicle charging points into leasehold properties were presented at a top industry seminar.   The presentation, EV Charging Points, Legal and Practical Problems, was made by Alan Draper, Technical Director of start-up business EV Solutions Group and Roger Hardwick of Brethertons Solicitors at the Institute of Residential Property Management  (IRPM) event  attended by over 600 delegates.   It drew on a white paper Alan has written - Electric Vehicle C

Training is too often neglected or an after-thought, with property professionals sometimes considering it demeaning and trivial. However, the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks claims it’s vitally important for personal development, building a reputation, and giving the industry a better name.   “In times of uncertainty like what we’ve experienced in the light of the global Covid-19 pandemic, training can be one of the first things that businesses cut back on because it’s deemed unnecessary to cu

OneDome, the challenger portal that aims to streamline the homebuying process and make homebuying significantly faster for all parties involved, has hired two new directors to its board. Tim Brooke Thom, a former Chairman of Monzo, the challenger bank, has joined the Board as a Non-executive director. Tim brings a wealth of experience in start-ups and scale ups, as well as large financial institutions.  From 2015 to 2019, Tim was Chairman and a board director of Monzo Bank, one of the largest fintech comp

Carter Jonas’ Build to Rent (BTR) team has been appointed to deliver lettings and property management services on a 63-unit scheme of student accommodation at the Old Bakery Yard development in Twerton, Bath, on behalf of MCP Bath Ltd. MCP Bath is part an independent group of property companies with a proven track record of delivering award-winning, complex regeneration schemes. The group concentrates on mixed-use, leisure, residential and retail developments, usually on brownfield sites in the West Count

This article looks at the status of the reforms announced so far around the sale of houses of a leasehold basis, ground rents in new leases, the fees payable by leaseholders for essential information needed on sale and the potential changes to the premium payable for a lease extension or freehold. Leasehold house sales ban, Zero ground rent & sale information – partially implemented In 2018 the then secretary of state for housing communities and local Government Sashid Javid announced a “crack down on unf

Background  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. No premium is payable.  Leaseholders, acting via an RTM company, can take control of services, repairs, maintenance, improvements, and insurance in respect of their building. It has provided a very useful alternative to collectively acquiring the freehold. A premium is payable for the freehold and the process is much longer. That

An historical site on the canalside in the Black Country with plans submitted to build 50 apartments has come on the market for £1,250,000. Top Midlands property agents Bond Wolfe is marketing the scheme which includes the refurbishment and conversion of the Grade II-listed Boat Gauging House in Tipton, dating back to 1873. This key building will house four exclusive two-bedroomed dwellings in a way that maintains the historic character of the listed property. The remainder of the 1.1-acre site has alread

A national trade body is raising awareness of the key issues surrounding the structural repair of homes. Issues including ground movement, subsidence, failed lintels or buildings materials, as well as inadequately restrained or tied walls, can all take their toll on a property. Movement fatigue and mechanical impact or disturbance can present similar concerns too. Fortunately, although the situation can seem daunting, the message from the Property Care Association is that the majority of structural issues

A company providing end to end bespoke charging solutions to the leasehold property market has opened for business. EV Solutions Group has been created to overcome the multitude of obstacles associated with providing Electric Vehicle charging capabilities to leasehold developments. The company designs a complete, end-to-end solution, then fully project manages the process to ensure a total solution is delivered. This involves working with specialists such as distribution network operators, electrical desi

Background The Government has recently reconfirmed its proposal to implement reforms in this regard in the current term of Parliament.  This follows the Government asking the Law Commission to review the law on enfranchisement with a view to making it simpler, easier, quicker and more cost effective and, controversially, to look at ways in which the price payable by leaseholders to acquire their freehold or a longer lease of their flat or house might be reduced. The Law Commission consulted around various

MRI Software, a global leader in real estate solutions, has named three experienced technology leaders to key senior vice president roles in sales, services and revenue operations – in addition to broadening company President John Ensign’s role to Executive Managing Director of North America. The company announces that it has appointed Sherry Lautenbach as Senior Vice President (SVP) of North America Sales, Eric Walsh as SVP of Global Services, and Jamie Brown as SVP of Global Revenue Operations. “I’m thr

Background The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill received Royal Assent on 8 February 2022. The main elements of it, i.e. the ground rent restrictions themselves, remained to be brought into force by regulations. This has now taken place; The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 (The Act) will come into force on 30 June 2022.  For retirement home leases, the provisions will not take effect before 1 April 2023 to allow the retirement sector time to adjust. The government announcement around this said t