Featured Articles

Get the answers to your questions and stay up to date about apartment building management with our featured articles and NOTB guides, on topics such as service charges, right to manage, buying your freehold, major works, building insurance and other issues about blocks of flats.

Principle to manage unusual clock tower and flats in private investor’s Midlands portfolio

An unusual clock tower and rented flats in a private investor’s Midlands portfolio are to be looked after by Principle Estate Management. The clock tower, which discretely houses a telephone mast let to EE until 2032, was built by Redrow Homes in a section 106 planning requirement at a development on Leek New Road, Baddeley Green, Stoke-on-Trent. Meanwhile, the modern, purpose-built rented flats are in Harborne and Selly Oak, close to the University of Birmingham, and are let to a mix of students and medi

PBM has appointed Sandeep Singh MIRPM Assoc RICS as Chief Property Officer

PBM, the leading property management company, wants to welcome Sandeep Singh as their Chief Property Officer. This is the organisation's latest commitment to ensuring that outstanding service matters for every customer. As Chief Property Officer, a new role at PBM and a new approach to managing property, Sandeep will be responsible for overseeing the Property Management Team and supporting his team in delivering an exemplary customer approach to all existing and new customers. MIRPM and Assoc RICS qualifi

Levelling Up lettings – here’s why the rental stock shortage needs to be addressed now

The government’s much-discussed levelling up agenda must include the provision of more new rental homes in all parts of the country, according to the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC).  The AIIC says that, in certain parts of the country, the private rented sector is coming dangerously close to running out of homes completely, and as a result the Boris Johnson government must extend its flagship policy to the rental market as well.  “We’ve had reduced social housing for the last 20 years,

Deferment rate in the spotlight at ALEP Lecture 2022

The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) welcomed more than 160 leasehold sector professionals to its Annual Lecture, which returned to an in-person format in central London following last year’s virtual presentations.  The topic of this year’s lecture was the ‘deferment rate’; a key component of the calculation used to determine the cost of leasehold enfranchisement. The discussion looked in detail at the Upper Tribunal decision in Llangewydd Court, and the possibility of a fu

Burrington Estates leads the way for women in construction

Now in its 47th year, International Women’s Day 2022 is taking place on Tuesday 8th March, promoting a world of gender equality and less discrimination. One industry that is still perceived as largely male-dominated is the construction sector. Tackling this stigma, Exeter based developer Burrington Estates employs a number of women in dominant roles, encouraging women into the industry. Here, Katie Wells, Michelle Mitchell and Natalie Tucker explain more about their roles at Burrington Estates, and why mo

Mainstay wins management contract for The Waterside

Mainstay, part of UK leading residential services provider FirstPort, has further boosted its foothold in the Midlands region by winning the operational management contract for The Waterside, an exclusive development in Worcester.   The buildings and estate, situated on the original site of the former Royal Worcester porcelain factory, constitutes an eclectic mix of private and affordable houses and apartments, together with additional commercial space, and secure car parking facilities.   Mainstay won th

The New Home Quality Code – Too Much or Not Enough?

Will the New Home Quality Code drive a buyer’s decision when purchasing a new property? Will it become an industry standard or will the administrative burden on developers prove impractical to implement? What is the New Homes Quality Code? In 2021 an independent body was set up and named New Homes Quality Board (“NHQB”) this board issued the New Homes Quality Code (“Code”) which replaced the existing consumer code. The Code has been introduced to address the gaps in existing protections for new build buye

Jackson Sims Recruitment adds another hire to the North West division

Jackson Sims Recruitment are pleased to announce another hire to cover the booming North West residential property market. Introducing Danielle Hill, who is now our third consultant covering Liverpool, Manchester and the surrounding areas.    Danielle is a personable, flexible and highly-focused individual with a passion for Property. From previous experience within the Recruitment industry, she possesses the ability and confidence to maintain successful client / candidate relationships. This, partnered

Essential upfront information webinar with Trading Standards announced by Gazeal

Leading upfront information specialists Gazeal have secured an exclusive webinar with the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT), which will include a live Q&A with agents.  The webinar, taking place on Wednesday March 2 at 10am, comes on the back of the announcement earlier this week that Trading Standards and the government have jointly announced compulsory new data which must appear on all property listings.  It will feature guests from NTSELAT, Boomin (to represent the por

Further lettings regulation is needed, but must not alienate landlords and agents

New regulations could make the lettings industry fairer, more transparent and ultimately more rewarding for all concerned, but this must not come at the cost of alienating landlords and letting agents.  That’s according to specialist rental payment platform PayProp, which argues that politicians drafting new rules should give all sides of the lettings sector a fair hearing.  “It makes sense on many levels,” Neil Cobbold, PayProp’s Managing Director, said. “Landlords and agents are far more likely to be on

Legal expenses cover 'driving a sharp rise in domestic property disputes'

Legal expenses cover in household insurance policies is driving a sharp rise in domestic property disputes, says building surveyor Tony Mancini. He said householders are ‘no longer frightened of falling out’ with neighbours or contractors because their legal bills are increasingly being met by insurers. Mr Mancini is a partner at national surveying and property management firm Scanlans and most of his work nowadays involves acting as an expert witness in property-related wrangles. The firm has seen a 30 p

Paving the way for women to break boundaries in the real estate industry

Fortem Property was founded in 2021 by merging two already successful real estate businesses – DCBM and Fortem Property Management. Both companies provided different things to the market so today they unite as one strong, multi-disciplinary service.  Here’s why they are leading the way for women to break boundaries in the real estate world… Fortem Property was established early last year when a gap was spotted in the market for bespoke property management services. Fortem Property not only looks after pro

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