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.

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

PayProp named REMAX Approved Supplier for property management

PayProp, a global leader in residential rental payments, has been named an Approved Supplier by leading international real estate brand RE/MAX. The agreement covers all regions globally, as PayProp continues to expand rapidly into new areas, but is currently in force in Florida and Texas in the United States, the Ontario Province in Canada, as well as the United Kingdom and South Africa. The alliance will make the benefits of payment automation available to more than 130,000 RE/MAX real estate professiona

FirstPort links with Turing Trust to equip Malawian school

FirstPort, the UK’s leading residential property services provider, has teamed up with The Turing Trust to help equip a new computer lab at Ntchuwa Primary School in Salima District, Malawi. The Turing Trust was formed by the family of Alan Turing, the legendary mathematician and computer scientist, best known for his work on breaking the German Enigma codes during the Second World War. Today, the charity honours his contribution to the early years of computing, by providing quality IT resources and train

ARMA CEO steps up to lead board

The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) has announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nigel Glen, will be stepping down from his post after five years and will be seeking election to ARMA’s Board as Executive Chairman.  Nigel joined ARMA as Chief Executive in 2016, and has led a far-reaching transformation of the organisation, creating a strategic plan to increase ARMA membership and bolster ARMA’s political influence as the leading trade association for residential managing agents in E

ALEP Director warns that cladding crisis will not necessarily cut costs of enfranchisement

A Director of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) has warned leaseholders that the cladding crisis is unlikely to reduce the cost of purchasing their freehold. Up to 11 million people in Britain may live in properties with fire safety issues, facing not only physical fears for their wellbeing but financial concerns about paying for remediation work. For many, enfranchisement may seem like an appealing option, offering control of the service charge budget and choice of managin

New Report on The Future Of The Cladding Crisis Unveiled

Government policy and a distinct lack of joined up thinking is holding back the progress needed for the “cladding crisis”, particularly in the way it is dragging its feet in protecting leaseholders from bearing the costs of remediation - a new report claims.   ‘Cladding: A Way Forward’, a new cladding crisis report from residential property experts across the sector has been unveiled by national law firm Irwin Mitchell, complete with a ten-point plan on what could be done to help solve the crisis.   Stati

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