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QUESTION  I am thinking of investing in a buy-to-let property. How does it work if I buy a flat with a sitting tenant? Is there anything I should be aware of? ANSWER Purchases of residential properties subject to an existing tenancy are not particularly unusual and when a buy to let property is being purchased, it may be considered beneficial to have a good tenant in situ.  However, there are a number of potential pitfalls and issues, which make it vital that anyone seeking to purchase such a property is

Could keyless technology improve security in the blocks you manage? Sean Cassidy looks at the alternatives to keys and fobs. Physical keys take two forms. They can be the traditional metal cut key which has been around for hundreds of years and offers varying levels of protection from copying.  Or they can take the form of a fob or card, known as a ‘token’, each with a unique code or ‘credentials’. These are presented to a reader positioned at the entrance to a building and access is granted to anyone wit

Principle Estate Management has had to relocate onto a new floor in its Birmingham headquarters after tripling the space it needed after just 18 months. The company initially bought five desks for its city centre office when it was launched in spring 2018 by Brett Williams, the former head of residential property management at CPBigwood, and a past-chairman of ARMA. But it quickly became the UK’s fastest growing residential estate management business, and now has well over 150 developments where it manage

Award-winning property management law firm, Brady Solicitors, has invested in substantial new premises on Regent Street, Nottingham, in a move that signals its commitment to both the city and the leasehold sector. The firm completed the purchase of the premises in April, and moved in in early August following an intensive refurbishment project and a six-figure investment, working closely with Nottingham City Council to retain the key features of the 1850s listed building whilst creating a modern, open-pla

Creepy neighbours, residents who have died, rumours of haunting, and unlucky door numbers are just some of the spooky reasons likely to frighten off potential home buyers, according to research from first direct. Nearly half of all home buyers (43%) claimed creepy neighbours would be enough to have them heading for the door, while one in five (21%) said that a death in the property would send shivers down their spine. Rumours of ghostly goings on would also see 20% staying put and nearly one in ten (8%) w

It was billed as “Birmingham’s hottest new address” and Assay Lofts in Charlotte Street is already virtually sold out over a month before the first buyers will be able to move in. Elevate Property Group’s 32 apartment development which overlooks St Paul’s Square in one of Birmingham’s most sought-after locations, has “flown out the door” according to sales and marketing director David Hofton. Assay Lofts has been constructed on the former car park of the Assay Office which was based there from 1878 but mo

An experienced property manager has become the 15th staff member at Principle Estate Management as the business continues its fast growth. Melanie Hunt has spent five years building up extensive knowledge of the sector after taking a BA (Hons) in Business Enterprise at University College Birmingham. Ms Hunt’s new role comes as Principle continues as the UK’s fastest growing residential estate management business 18 months after its launch, with well over 100 developments across the country. In addition, t

If flat owners want to install EV charge points in their blocks, they face an array of problems. These include restrictions on development or modifications within building leases, who pays for charge point installation, and how costs should be allocated among residents. But George Freeman MP, Minister of State for the Future of Transport has stated in a letter to leading EV charge point provider Future Fuel, that commonhold is the answer to leaseholders’  problems.  Director of Future Group, Jamie Willsdo

Sir Desmond Swayne MP cut the ribbon on the brand new McCarthy House building in Ringwood at an Official Opening ceremony on Monday 7th October. The new £4m building is the Head Office for Millstream Management Services (MMS), Churchill Retirement Living’s dedicated property management arm. Members of the Churchill and Millstream teams were there to help mark the occasion, including the Group’s co-Founders Spencer and Clinton McCarthy and their father John McCarthy. John McCarthy pioneered the retirement

We know a thing or two about moving at News On The Block - so when we heard about the ARMA Conference moving to a brand new etc.venues location in Houndsditch in the heart of the city, we couldn’t help but get excited.   The venue was not the only change, ARMA has built upon its history of serving our industry and rejuvenated its flagship conference with a new format and an ever-more engaging list of speakers, sponsors and partners.   With over 550 industry professionals in attendance, delegates heard wha

The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) has written to Esther McVey, Minister of State for Housing to review and improve flat owners’ rights to extend their leases.  The Association's letter to the Minister highlights the issue of the current two year wait regulation that applies to leaseholders wanting to purchase the freehold of their property.  John Midgley, ALEP Director, explains: “At present, under current legislation, leasehold property owners must have been the regi

Princes Gate, the conversion of former HMRC offices in Solihull into luxury apartments by Elevate Property Group, is now over 60% sold. The company said that the nine minute train journey into Birmingham was attracting young professionals working in the city, and the proximity to Birmingham Airport was appealing to the “lock up and leave” generation with properties abroad. Sales and marketing director David Hofton revealed that the first phase of Princes Gate, Consort House, is already 100% sold and the s