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.

Principle wins two prestigious London property management contracts

Principle Estate Management is to look after two prestige property developments in London on behalf of a major freeholder client. The contract includes Sawmill Studios at 19 Parr Street, close to Regents Canal in trendy Islington. This has two commercial units on the ground floor and basement levels, and 24 residential apartments which each sell for nearly £1m and rent for nearly £3,000 a month. The second property is Crown Apartments at 45 Westholme Gardens in Ruislip, made up of 24 residential units wor

Navigating the changing face of Britain’s high streets with PropTech

The British high street is going through a period of incredibly dynamic change. But it need not be all doom and gloom, because diversification could lead to reinvigoration of our town and city centres – a shift in which PropTech will play a pivotal role. For instance, an MRI survey of chief executives, directors and top managers in the property sector revealed 72% see the development of residential properties in former retail premises giving the British high street a new lease of life. It is a change that

My month: driven by ongoing commitment to innovation & development

Specialist Liverpool law firm J B Leitch delivers expert niche legal solutions for a range of commercial clients including residential freehold investment and block management companies, in particular some of the country’s largest institutional landlords.  Established in 1997, the market-leading firm enjoys a strong reputation for its niche property litigation work. The team is proud to support key players in the property management sector with services including volume debt recovery, complex technical ca

JB Leitch Receives Leading Recommendations for 2020

The Legal 500, widely acknowledged as the world’s largest independent legal referral guide, has published it's rankings for 2020. Based on a broad series of criteria, including strong technical ability available for the most complex and innovative work, client recommendation and results, the rankings provide a comprehensive view of the merits of best law firms across the world.   Liverpool based property solicitors JB Leitch have received tier 4 Leading Firm status, with specific recommendations for prope

Property gets 96% of £32k lift repairs covered by insurance

A £32,000 bill for major lift repairs at an office and apartment block in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter was 96% covered by insurance, after prompt action by Principle Estate Management. Principle was appointed last autumn to manage the four-storey Altitude building on Powell Street knowing there were some immediate issues – including the broken lift. The problem was quickly reviewed, insurance claims made for the repairs and the contractors commissioned, resulting in a working lift and happy clients. Ian

The Recipe for the Perfect Major Works Project

This Blog has been written by Earl Kendrick, following the inaugural Leasehold Manchester conference organised by News on the Block on 19 September 2019. Questions and feedback from property managers and solicitors who heard our presentation have been of great help in the blog’s preparation.  No two major works projects are the same Before we attempt to give away the perfect recipe for a major works project, a word of warning: No two major works projects are alike and that is because every block of flats

Ferndale House appointment for award-winning Pennycuick Collins

Residential property management experts Pennycuick Collins have been appointed as managing agents at TAG Development’s luxurious Victorian conversion of seven unique freehold properties with effect from 1 September 2019. The development, a joint project with Calthorpe Estates, is located on the Harborne Road within walking distance of Edgbaston Village, on the Calthorpe Estate. The stylish apartments, which have an extensive communal landscaped garden, have all been sold, or are under offer with most now

Your planet needs you!

The Climate Change crisis   Whilst the global impact of climate change is widely acknowledged, experts are divided over the potential extent. The World Bank believes that as many as 150 million people could be displaced by 2050 due to Climate Change; a recent study from an Australian think tank suggests that the true figure could be closer to 1 billion.   The UK has committed to leading the global war on climate change by reducing our greenhouse gases to virtually nil by 2050. Shortly before leaving offic

Principle to manage exclusive mansion apartments in Birmingham

A contract to look after 52 luxury mansion apartments in five buildings near Birmingham city centre has been won by Principle Estate Management. The impressive 1930s-style properties at Kenilworth Court sit behind a gated driveway off the Hagley Road in leafy Edgbaston. They have many original features such as the original lifts and enjoy large gardens with plenty of mature trees. Ian Smallman, a director at Principle and the lead on the Kenilworth Court contract, said: “We’re delighted to have won this c

A day of insight and intellect at the ALEP Conference

The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners’ (ALEP) Annual Conference saw a record-breaking 280 sector influencers attend the event.   Held at No 11 Cavendish Square and hosted by ALEP Honorary President, Damian Greenish, the Conference tackled issues impacting professionals in the leasehold enfranchisement sector with Commonhold and regional relativity emerging as topical themes of the day.   Mark Chick, ALEP Director, said: “The ALEP Conference is one of the sector’s biggest events

Mainstay Group appoints new Managing Director for Residential Property Management

Worcester based Mainstay Group has appointed a new Managing Director, following a period of planned and sustained growth.   The full-service property management company has brought on Andy Billson to head up its residential property management arm of the business.   Andy joins the Group from residential giant Barratt Homes, where as Managing Director, he was responsible for introducing an in-house property management service – Barratt Residential Asset Management – from 2012, until its successful sale in

Scanlans partner Tony cycles from Land's End to John O'Groats for charity

A partner at property management and surveying firm Scanlans has raised nearly £2,500 for Parkinson’s UK by cycling the length of Britain.   Tony Mancini completed the 980-mile Deloitte Ride Across Britain from Land’s End to John O’Groats in nine days.   The 53-year-old undertook the marathon ride for Parkinson’s UK because his sister Raffaela suffers from the disease.   He said: “Seeing my sister gradually deteriorate and being helpess to prevent it spurred me to raise money for Parkinson’s UK as my way

© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.

News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site you consent cookies.