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It is important that we continue to maintain and repair Fire Safety Systems to ensure the safety of residents. We have put in special measures to ensure we continue to do this. To assist Property Managers with the questions they have we have setup a Q and A section on our website which is being continually updated so that Property Managers are kept informed of anything relating to the fire safety services we provide within their blocks during the COVID 19 outbreak The link to see the Q and A section, plus

Leading managing agent Rendall & Rittner has recently hired, Adenike Olowe as its Customer Service Manager. Adenike has a strong background in Customer Service and previously headed up the customer service teams for home furnishing company Loaf and fashion designer Gucci. Looking for a new challenge Adenike has decided to venture into Property Management with Rendall & Rittner and has already hit the ground running. Commenting on her new role Adenike explains: “Customer Service is not only an innate quali

When a head of block management or head of accounts receives your CV from BBL, we suspect they will do one or more of the following: Shortlist it (hopefully) and invite you for interview Ask trusted peers in the industry if they know anything about you Look you up online. Part of a reputable recruiter’s role is to vet candidates before passing CVs to prospective employers. However, many employers want to do their own ‘background checks’ and the easiest way of achieving that is to delve into your onli

It was recently announced that managing agent SDL Property Management has joined a coalition of cladding campaigners, residents, property managers and the UK’s largest freeholders to call for a new multibillion-pound fund to remediate unsafe buildings.   Sam Massey MRICS FIRPM, Head of Professional Training and Qualifications for SDL Property Management, PRS and Auctions spoke to News on the Block to explain why action needs to be taken.   A new study from the Association of Residential Managing Agents (A

Energy Systems Catapult is launching an innovator challenge call in collaboration with Places for People, Geovation and Pineapple Partners, inviting SMEs developing products and services targeted at Zero Carbon Housing Solutions, Smart Buildings and Estates, to receive tailored business incubation and acceleration support. The 4th intake of the Innovator Support Platform (ISP) offers SMEs access to advanced energy system expertise from across the Catapult alongside a wider network of around 40 firms offer

Scanlans is expanding its property management portfolio in Leeds with an agreement to look after 68 energy-efficient homes at an award-winning scheme on the city’s South Bank, one of the largest city centre regeneration projects in Europe. Work on the Ironworks development in Holbeck Urban Village is under way and is due to be completed in 2021.   The joint scheme by igloo Regeneration and PfP Capital will comprise 53 apartments and 15 town houses, alongside two ground-floor commercial units and parking.

More than 200 professionals from the leasehold sector gathered at 30 Euston Square for the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners’ (ALEP) Annual Lecture.   The Lecture examined the impact of missing landlords on leasehold enfranchisement cases. Sector professionals came together to discuss and debate this topic, with the Lecture hosted by ALEP’s Honorary President, Damian Greenish.   The main theme of the day was missing landlords and surrounding issues that can arise in such cases.

We’re living in a rapidly changing world. Politically, environmentally, socially and economically. Uncertainty has a tangible and immediate effect on business and markets. In recruitment there is concern regarding the increasing – and global – issue of diminishing skills. In attracting and retaining talent, we face the challenge of a potential talent shortage in what is becoming an increasingly candidate driven market. John Kelly and Penny Simister from the Training and HR teams at specialist property sol

We are delighted to announce the launch of JPC's new brand identity.  The rebrand follows impressive growth in the last 12 years during which time JPC  have evolved as a partnership acquiring 5 law firms along the way. The firm's reputation has been further enchanced not just by industry awards, but also through their involvement in high profile and ground-breaking cases. Through cross-practice collaboration, JPC's experienced team provide effective legal intelligence and innovation to make the law work f

The directors of Osbourne House situated in Queen Victoria Road in Coventry city centre have appointed Pennycuick Collins as managing agents with effect from 1st February 2020. The six storey development comprises 50 residential apartments was built around during 2003/2004 and is very popular with residents seeking easy access to the city, easily accessible train station and both Coventry and Warwick universities. Speaking about the appointment Kulvinder Dosanjh of the Osbourne House Management Company Lt

Leasehold homeowners have been “misled and taken advantage of” after an investigation by the competition watchdog found “worrying evidence”.   The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued a damning report following its probe and said it would take action against housebuilders.   It has also called for a change in the law and for refunds to be paid.   The CMA said many homeowners found themselves in “serious traps” after being misled by developers. It has not disclosed any names so far as it cont

QUESTION My block hasn't had a fire risk assessment for some time. How often are they required to be done and who is responsible? ANSWER The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is the regulation which most explicitly defines the need for Fire Risk Assessments to be carried out in the common areas of blocks of flats. There are various guidance documents and standards which provide detail on how to achieve compliance with that regulatory requirement, although they stop short on prescribing a specifi