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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

A coalition including 20 organisations, Management Companies and industry leaders have formed to take action. An official letter was delivered to the Chancellor. Fexco Property Services are proud to be a part of this group, here is their official message: As a large participant in the managing agent sector, Fexco Property Services, via our Remus and Crabtree brands fully acknowledge the scale of the cladding issue currently affecting the property industry. As such, we have a planned cladding programme in

A new contract to look after a quality development of luxury flats in Bristol has highlighted Principle Estate Management’s expansion into the south west. The Pier Management Group has appointed Principle to manage the block of flats it has recently purchased at North Road, which is near St Andrews Park. The new build development involved the demolition of previous buildings and the construction of a two and three-storey block which contains a mixture of one, two and three bedroomed flats. This is the sec

MRI Software (“MRI”), a global leader in real estate software solutions, announced the European launch of MRI Living and MRI @Work at Ascend London, the organisation’s largest-ever event in the region, held on February 12-13. The comprehensive residential and commercial property management solutions expand on MRI’s existing technologies for the European market, offering clients additional flexibility to meet the shifting demands of the property industry with an innovative PropTech platform. The MRI Living

Following new evidence that the scale of the cladding crisis may affect up to half a million people, cladding campaigners, residents, property managers and the UK’s largest freeholders have formed an unprecedented coalition to request a multibillion-pound fund to remediate unsafe buildings.   In an open letter to the new Chancellor, the group has called on the Government to step in following failures in the building safety regime that have dated back decades. Without support, leaseholders may be left havi

FirstPort, the residential property manager, has appointed Lee Richards as Director - Build to Rent. Lee joined FirstPort in July 2018 as Head of Property Standards and takes up his new appointment immediately. Managing properties that investors are building specifically to rent (BTR) is emerging as the sector’s fastest growing commercial opportunity in 2020. Prior to joining FirstPort Lee was Managing Director of a national property lettings business, managing large portfolios for clients such as the Min