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Service charge planning and budgeting are critical responsibilities for managing agents overseeing residential or mixed-use developments. Mistakes in these areas can lead to financial shortfalls, leaseholder disputes, and potential regulatory breaches. Below are the five biggest mistakes, with an emphasis on the importance of working with skilled service charge accountants to mitigate these risks. 1. Underestimating Costs for Routine Maintenance and Repairs • Mistake: Managing agents often underestimate

On Monday 3 March further provisions within the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 come into force, including Section 49 which concerns the change of non-residential limit on Right to Manage (RTM) claims. This secondary legislation will mean that residential leaseholders within a mixed-use scheme will qualify for RTM when the commercial element of a building is as much as 50% - an increase on the previous cap of 25%. Additionally, leaseholders will no longer be required to cover the freeholder’s legal

The effects of climate change on our weather are clear for all to see, and increasing numbers of us are becoming more conscious of our impact on the environment. In fact, 78% of people in a study by McKinsey claimed that having a sustainable lifestyle is important to them.  Since our homes play a key role in our lifestyles, it’s vital that we pay attention to the sustainability and eco-friendliness of the buildings we inhabit. But what exactly makes a building good for the environment? Let’s take a look a

JPC is thrilled and proud to announce its brand new, super charged Dispute Resolution Team. Each lawyer joining the team brings with them a wealth of experience, and a broad and impressive client base which will allow JPC to enhance our service delivery objectives. This new team’s calibre, tactical knowhow and strategically minded approach significantly bolsters and strengthens JPC’s expertise in both property litigation and corporate and commercial  litigation also. The lawyers in JPC’s new dispute resol

The Government has recently provided updates on the phased implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LaFRA), which represents a landmark shift in property law aimed at improving rights and protections for leaseholders. It has also enacted one of the many provisions. We explore the latest developments and upcoming reforms following recent statements by the Housing Minister, as well as their implications for leaseholders and freeholders alike. Latest statements Statements made by the Min

In housing developments with heat networks, every connected household has a part to play in ensuring the entire system works efficiently. Heat networks are vast, intricate systems of interconnected components that each affect the functioning and efficiency of the whole. If any part of the network, however small, is neglected, it can ultimately lead to impaired performance, higher emissions and increased energy bills for everyone. Sadly, this is too often the case. According to the Heat Trust, most UK heat

It goes without saying that keeping properties looking pristine and inviting is a top priority for property and facilities managers, something that is made more difficult by rising reports of graffiti and vandalism. The impacts of such anti-social behaviour are far reaching and can have a lasting impact within local communities, creating a feeling of uncleanliness and unsafety, deterring potential customers and decreasing property values. Given these potential negative consequences, keeping graffiti at ba

A Birmingham-based one stop shop for developers and landlords looking for reliable, efficient property maintenance is providing a roaring success before its first year is even up. Arto Property Maintenance was launched in March 2024 by Sam Cole to set up an operation to maintain clients’ investments to a higher standard and at a lower cost on a more time-efficient basis. He had previously worked as head of maintenance for a Birmingham development and investment group before branching out on his own to set

With London now the ‘UK’s Pet Capital’, 46% of homes in London have a dog as their pet, yet one in five households in London do not have access to a private garden. As an increasing amount of Londoner’s live in flats, maisonettes and apartments, having accessiblepet friendly green space is hard to come by. For prospective buyers and their pets, developer Barratt London has created over 58 acres worth of green space in the capital, with their developments across London, boasting an abundance of nature for

Lansdown Insurance Brokers, specialists in block of flats insurance has unveiled key insights into the most frequent insurance claims for blocks of flats in 2024. The data highlights common risks faced by landlords and property owners, as well as positive trends in claim cost reductions compared to 2023. Darren Bee, Associate Director at Lansdown, commented: "It's reassuring to see a decline in claim costs across key areas, which suggests that property owners are taking proactive steps in maintenance and

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said it ‘does not hold’ the information requested by global PropTech supplier, Reapit, about the numbers and types of rent increase cases heard by the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). Reapit made the Freedom of Information (FOI) request in a bid to understand the additional workload that is likely to be created by the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill, which is due to undergo further scrutiny when it enters the committee stage in the House of Lords shortly. Among o

Commenting on the Government’s response to the Grenfell Inquiry, which the Secretary of State for Housing announced today, along with the publication of a consultation on reforms to the construction products regime, Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council, said: “It is good that the Government will enact all 58 recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry. As the tragedy at Grenfell Tower made clear, systemic change has long been needed to keep people living in high-rise buildings safe and to