Featured Articles

We are running a competition for Over Bonnet Shed for three lucky winners to win a over bonnet shed storage unit worth £995!!  What is it? For those with a garage, over bonnet storage is a great way to create new storage space. For the increasing number of people choosing to live in apartments, many developments often offer limited storage at or near your car space.  For more information on the units please click here. In short, Over Bonnet Shed will give you an over bonnet storage shed for free, if you..

It may be the last thing you consider when looking for a member of staff. You need someone quickly, the outgoing property manager is on a month’s notice, you hope you find the right PM for your block management firm and that they’ll stay. For a long time. Whether you are an expanding firm of managing agents and need more staff or you’re on the hunt for a replacement for a tricky portfolio, more than ever good property managers are few and far between. And too many think the grass is greener rather than ro

There is an old saying that “No matter how much I earn, I always seem to spend just a little bit more”. The same can be said of storage at home. No matter how much storage we have, we always seem to need just a little bit more. Both models are unsustainable and in the long term may contribute to the fall of civilisation (the key word there being ‘may’!). Whilst earning more might be difficult for many of us, the good news is that extra storage is readily available. So why are our hallways an obstacle cour

PM Legal Services senior associate and founder member, Liz Rowen, has been promoted to head of operations at the award-winning firm.     The practice, a division of Keebles LLP, is widely acknowledged as the “go to” residential leasehold expert just 18 months after being launched. With over a decade’s experience in specialist property management litigation, Liz advises clients on County Court and Tribunal related matters. She is also listed in News on the Block’s 2018 Hot 100 most influential people in th

QUESTION I live in a purpose built apartment building comprising three floors and six apartments. We employ a managing agent to deal with the day to day administration of the block and the collection and disbursement of funds to cover services via the monthly service charge. We also have our management company. Things have generally rolled along quite well over the last 24 years, even with changes in owners and renters along the way. Over the years we have all taken it in turns to fill the roles of direct

Adiuvo are delighted to officially announce their partnership with Ask Porter an AI platform for the property sector. In a recent interview, Managing Director, Colin Stokes confirmed that although initially Adiuvo were involved in the capacity of advisors, Adiuvo invested in the product themselves shortly after seeing the scope of the AI. Colin commented: “We were being approached by companies on a weekly basis with new “revolutionary” software and apps but this was the first one that stood out to us.  On

The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) is the leading trade association for residential managing agents in England and Wales. The association’s mission statement is to constantly improve standards of leasehold management and professionalism by means of member training, guidance and support. The changing face of ARMA Like any organisation we have to continually develop our product offering to meet the changing needs of our members in a constantly evolving leasehold market. These changes are

Have you ever felt like the world of leasehold law is just too boring; confusing; legalised; full of jargon; inaccessible; complicated; daunting…? Do you own a flat, but literally have no idea what you have let yourself in for?   Tenant’s Tales is looking to change all of that and bring leasehold law into real life, so that you, the leaseholder, stand a chance!   Today, you’ll meet a few of our fictional tenants, most of whom you will recognize from your own experiences of flat living. Miss Browne Meet Mi

In this special feature, sponsored by PMR, we identify the most influential people in the residential leasehold property sector. Included within the list is a mix of leasehold campaigners, Parliamentarians, trade and professional bodies, managing agents, building owners, investors, developers, valuers, and lawyers among others. Let us know if we missed anyone out by emailing editor@newsontheblock.com   Entries have been gathered subjectively according to our knowledge and experience of the industry and ar

Issue 96 of News on the Block has now been published.  This issue includes some of the following articles: Abuse on the Block: How block managers can do more to stop domestic abuse The Hot 100 feature   Lawyer’s call over ‘sex for homes’ landlords Crackdown could hit Airbnb bookings A new series; Tenants Tales, to bring leasehold law to life Is there a need for longer minimum term tenancies?  ARMA membership changes to help directors  Please click the download link below to read th

An estimated 46% of 25–34 year olds live in private rented accommodation. This has risen from 27% in 2006-2007 and, as such, the build-to-rent sector has seen massive growth. Some 81% of rental contracts are assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) with a minimum fixed-term of just six or 12 months, most allowing landlords to increase rents or evict tenants at the end of their contracts, without giving reason.   This can leave tenants feeling insecure, unable to challenge poor property standards (for fear of te

Property management and surveying group Scanlans has posted a 16 per cent rise in annual revenues. Turnover in the year to March 31 increased to £4.4m from £3.8m, with growth across all of Scanlans’ operations. Its property management division saw a 10 per cent rise in revenues, fuelled by a host of new instructions for apartment block schemes in Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, and growth for the Scanlans Facilities Management operation. Key appointments in Scanlans’ building surveying and rating te