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When a settlement is reached at a mediation the parties will look to confirm this in writing. Usually this is done by what both agree is a binding document. However, sometimes what is signed is labelled ‘Heads of Terms’. These are often interpreted as ‘agreements to agree’ and treated as not being binding. In Abberley & Ors v Abberley [2019] EWHC 1564 (Ch) His Honour Judge Jarman QC had to decide whether heads of terms signed at a mediation were binding The mediation.  This was a family dispute relating t

A new contract from a large corporate freeholder will see Principle Estate Management looking after a portfolio of properties stretching from Yorkshire to Hampshire. Freehold Managers plc has appointed Principle to manage over 200 units on six sites in Leeds, Fareham, Mitcham and Southampton. Freehold Managers collects the ground rent and asset manages over 65,000 units across the country. The properties cover a range of different types, from apartments in a desirable Grade II-listed converted country hou

Millennials – otherwise defined as 24 to 39-year-olds – are dominating property headlines as they, along with Gen Zs, define the future market’s success.  The generation who grew up with the internet dial-up tone are the largest group in the active workforce (28% of those are managers, according to Deloitte in 2018) and demand a new style of living: flexible, convenient and sustainable. According to CBRE Residential’s research Millennials: Myths and Realities, 63% of millennials are renting and 80% agree

If your company has prospective employees queuing around the block to work for you, then great! However, perhaps your industry is more niche, you’re after something specific or you could be spending your time more productively, instead of shortlisting and sorting through applications? Working within the block management industry, candidates can often be in short supply. We have spoken previously about how it can be hard to meet the demand for placing candidates that meet clients’ specific needs.  TemplePM

Retention, motivation, productivity and the success of a business are all factors that are impacted by employee happiness. They decline when employees are disengaged and unhappy and improve when morale is high.  One study found only 12% of UK employees are completely happy in their job, with 8% of those strongly disagreeing with the statement “my job makes me happy”.  Happiness has a huge impact on engagement, and it’s the engaged employees that show up every day with passion, purpose and energy.  A healt

Issue 106 of News on the Block has now been published. This issues includes some of the following articles:  - Industry coalition demands cladding emergency fund - Make sure your lift doesn't let you down  - Is home ownership still the millennial milestone? - Preview of the annual IRPM Seminar  - and more... Recruitment Feature including: - Finders keepers -  It’s not just about recruiting the right people, it’s about creating the right environment  - What does your social media profile say about yo

This announcement was first published on the Winckworth Sherwood website.  These are challenging times and we are all adapting to the current crisis seeking to ensure the best interests of our clients are protected and that their transactions are conducted during this troubling and restricted period.  Challenges include getting documents executed and ensuring arrangements can be put in place to ensure planned completions and other stages of the conveyancing procedure can go ahead with certainty, restricte

Leading law firm Aaron & Partners has put together a list of four tips aimed at business owners and managers to help them maintain relationships with landlords whilst navigating the current coronavirus crisis. Joseph Fletcher-Hunt, a Solicitor in the firm’s renowned Real Estate team, works closely with clients across the UK to provide straightforward and pragmatic advice on a wide range of real estate and property matters. Joseph said: “The coronavirus has caused issues in all areas of business, and many

Ibraheem Dulmeer discusses changes to The Tribunal Procedure as part of emergency measures against Covid-19. The Tribunal Procedure (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020 (“Statutory Instrument”) have bought about some changes to various Tribunals. In particular, to the leasehold sector the Statutory Instrument makes changes to the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Property Chamber) Rules 2013 and Tribunal Procedure (Upper Tribunal) (Lands Chamber) Rules 2010.  These changes have been made as par

We are receiving numerous questions from agents along the above lines.  Those contacting us are saying that access to their offices is currently restricted and they have no facility (remotely) undertake the task of printing and sending physical demands to property owners.  Accordingly, they are asking that “given the special circumstances and the guidance from the Government not to travel unless absolutely necessary, surely it is sensible to email demands during this period instead of posting them?” Whils

Associate Katie Edwards of specialist property solicitors JB Leitch, asks that where a management order is made in respect of a property and service charge arrears accrued whilst the order is in place, can the arrears be assigned to a maintenance trustee and that trustee then take steps to recover arrears from lessees? The background In Chaun-Hui and others v K Group Holdings Inc [2019], units in a mixed-use block were held by tripartite leases, the parties to which were the head lessor, a maintenance tru

Katie Orr of JB Leitch's litigation department looks at recent case law to ask that where an RTM Company serves notice of its intention to acquire rights to manage, will its claim survive a failure to follow specific elements of procedure? The background In Lexham House RTM Company Ltd v European Investments & Development (Properties) Ltd [2019], the RTM Company served notice to acquire the right to manage a block comprising 24 flats, each of which is held under a long lease. Three flats on the top floor