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.

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

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

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