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.

Fexco Property Services announces three pivotal new appointments to expand the group resources

Stevie joins as group Recruitment Manager. Stevie's expertise in sourcing the best candidates for the business will ensure business growth for all our brands. Jane joins the Group as Customer Experience Manager and will be helping all our brands to deliver a superior customer service. This is a new role for Fexco Property Services, aimed at providing excellence in all customer service matters which we see as a vital role for our business. Abbi joins our Crabtree brand as Operations Manager. She brings a w

Thursfields welcomes new rules for converting commercial high street premises into homes

New rules making it easier for commercial premises to be converted into homes to help revitalise England’s high streets and town centres have been welcomed by Thursfields Solicitors. The package of government measures, announced by housing secretary Robert Jenrick, is aimed at providing more homes and transforming unused buildings to give high streets a new lease of life. Robert Pettigrew, a director in the Commercial Property department at Thursfields, explained the conversion of commercial properties to

PLACES FOR PEOPLE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF DAVID COWANS, GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Places for People would like to announce that after 24 years as CEO, David Cowans, Group Chief Executive, has decided to retire on 31st March 2022. David will continue to lead the Group and support a planned transition process. As CEO, David has been responsible for the expansion and growth of Places for People which now manages c200,000 homes across the country and is one of the largest developers of affordable housing through its Placemaking approach. The Group continues its focus to create affordable h

Moda Living announces 13 new hires to support its growth in 2021

13 new hires onboarded over the last month at Moda to supercharge growth.  4 Senior Hires include 3 Project Directors and 1 General Manager.  Recruitment drive focused on operations, marketing, and development.  Moda continues to strategically hire from the hospitality sector to best serve its customers  Moda, the vertically integrated rental-housing brand has made thirteen appointments in the last month to support its growth. Moda is bringing in recruits from across some of the UK’s leading property

Communal Energy Partners investment set to revolutionise the provision of communal energy services

Communal Energy Partners, formerly known as SW Energy,  has announced a significant investment in the business which promises to enhance its services to clients in the property facilities management, building and housing association sectors, as well as residents themselves. With more than 35 years in the industry, the leadership team at Communal Energy Partners has worked closely with customers to gain unique insights into the challenges faced by the sector. With an increased focus on energy efficiency

A Clear Responsibility

In this article Associate Katie Edwards and Legal Director Phil Parkinson consider recent case law and the need for clarity and accuracy in insurance certification, notably where there is potentially error, assumption or a clear disconnect in the liability of named parties. One could be forgiven for providing a robust challenge to the adage of “what’s in a name?” when considering the ramifications for those named on insurance certification, specifically in regard to property transactions and instances whe

REI welcomes fast track homes plan for unused commercial space

Real Estate Investors plc (REI), the UK’s only Birmingham-based, Midlands-focused property REIT, has welcomed new rules that came into effect on 31 March which permit commercial properties to be converted for residential use. The government hopes that the new rules, announced by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick, which allow unused commercial premises to be transformed into homes, will encourage more people to live in their local high streets. Paul Bassi, chief executive of REI, said: “These changes are a

Northfield estate management appointment is close to home for MetroPM

MetroPM, the estate management company with offices in Birmingham and Cheltenham, has been appointed by the directors of a city apartment complex to ensure the smooth running of the properties. Compass Place (Birmingham) Management Co Ltd has called in MetroPM to provide regular electronic site inspection reports, financial reporting and draw up budgets for current and future maintenance and major works projects. Ian Smallman, director of MetroPM, said “Compass Place is an estate of 33 properties built by

Leaders Romans Group launches build-to-rent management offering, Three Sixty Space

Leaders Romans Group (LRG) is proud to announce the launch of its latest offering, Three Sixty Space, a consultation and management service for build-to-rent developers. This offering will bring the entire process of build-to-rent under one roof, with LRG available throughout the life cycle of developments for both developers and future tenants.   As part of Three Sixty Space, clients can expect guidance on site selection, planning, local operations, leasing, referencing, block management, property mainte

FirstPort appoints Andrew Urwin as new Head of Technology

FirstPort, the UK’s leading residential property services provider, has appointed Andrew Urwin as its new Head of Technology.  Appointed into the brand new position, Andrew will play a leading role in delivering FirstPort’s vision of ‘People First’ technology.   Through significant investment in its digital integration programme, FirstPort is developing industry-leading solutions, integrating systems to streamline communications and optimise operations for the benefit of FirstPort’s customers, employees a

Northfield estate management appointment is close to home for MetroPM

MetroPM, the estate management company with offices in Birmingham and Cheltenham, has been appointed by the directors of a city apartment complex to ensure the smooth running of the properties. Compass Place (Birmingham) Management Co Ltd has called in MetroPM to provide regular electronic site inspection reports, financial reporting and draw up budgets for current and future maintenance and major works projects. Ian Smallman, director of MetroPM, said “Compass Place is an estate of 33 properties built by

269 new homes to be built in Crewe

Hundreds of new homes are being built on the former site of the Bombardier Railway Works in Crewe, Cheshire. Sigma Capital Group plc, in partnership with Countryside, is developing 131 houses and apartments for rent while Countryside is also building 138 units for open market sale. Simple Life is one of the leading providers in build-to-rent housing having already built over 3000 properties across the UK. The new site has been named Coppenhall Place and will combine 107 three- and four-bedroom houses with

© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.

News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site you consent cookies.