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More than 50 firefighters have been tackling a blaze today (July 3) that spread across four storeys of a block of flats in London. Eight fire engines were called as flames licked up the side of the building in Heritage Lane, West Hampstead, north-west London, at 11:25am. The fire was believed to have started on a balcony before it spread to balconies above, but London Fire Brigade (LFB) said that the cause was not known at this time. The added that no casualties had been reported in the fire, which has no

People attending the Grenfell Inquiry were evacuated when a fire alarm sounded today (July 3). A tannoy announcement at about 12:30pm said that a fire had been reported and urged those at the inquiry to assemble outside Holborn Bars. A fire warden then reported that it had been a false alarm and the hearing continued from 2pm. During the day’s evidence, the inquiry heard that senior fire officers wanted to abandon the policy of telling residents to “stay put” as the inferno engulfed the high-rise. Senior

JPC Law are delighted to announce Andrew Morgan has joined the partnership at JPC Law. Andrew joined the firm in 2017 as Head of Company and Commercial. His experience is broad, however he has particular expertise in tier one transactional matters including Mergers, Acquisitions and Disposals of Corporate entities, Management Buy-Outs and Joint Ventures. Andrew has demonstrated excellent client care and business development skills, operating a very simple “client charter” which sees him offer an informal

QUESTION I own a leasehold ground floor flat with concrete floors. I recently had an under floor water leak which was quickly traced to a faulty dishwasher connection. Initially it seemed possible that the Karndean vinyl flooring, which was showing no damage, might have needed taking up to investigate. The buildings insurance for the flats only covers me for trace and access if there is damage. As there was none visible I would not have been able to claim and emergency home cover would not have covere

Issue 95 of News on the Block has now been published.  This issue includes some of the following articles: Landmark judgment passed down following appeals in two cases Unravelling complexities in tax clearance Right to Manage: are you compliant?  Defeating the claim to appurtenant land  Will Commonhold take hold? Grenfell: one year on! Enfranchisement & Right to Manage Awards 2018 - winners announced!  and more... Please click the download link below to read this issue.

A fire at a high-rise in London and another at a block in Glasgow broke out on the morning of the first anniversary of the Grenfell tragedy.   Eight people were treated for smoke inhalation after a fire in a kitchen in a 14th floor flat at Commercial Court, in the Gorbals area of Glasgow.   Alan Fairbairn, the area manager of the Scottish fire and rescue service, said the blaze was contained within an hour.   Hours earlier, at 4:14am, about 180 people fled their homes when fire broke out on the 12th floor

The firefighter who led the response to the Grenfell blaze had no knowledge of how the inferno was burning out of control and was not trained in reversing “stay put” advice. Watch manager Michael Dowden, who broke down in tears while giving evidence to the public inquiry into the blaze, said he had never experienced a fire like Grenfell.   He told the inquiry that on his way to the blaze, crew manager Christopher Secrett had radioed to say the fourth floor kitchen fire that started the inferno had been pu

As a flat owner you might not consider the effects on your flat in an area that is prone to flooding as much as a house owner would. After all, surely flood water won’t reach any levels above the ground. However, buying a flat in a flood risk area is actually an important factor to consider whatever level your flat is on. What are the downsides? Even a flat owner above the ground floor will often find they have a higher contents insurance rate to pay in a high risk flood area unless you shop around for an

Stuart Jackson and Michael Sims MIRPM AssocRICS have teamed up and launched Jackson Sims Recruitment, a new boutique property recruitment firm servicing the specific needs of the leasehold environment. With a combined 18 years' experience and excellent track records in sourcing talent, they will continue to offer the same solutions on a more personal level. Stuart Jackson commented: “The idea of setting up our own firm came from the oversights, and missed opportunities we witnessed working for larger unfo

Brethertons are delighted to announce that Roger Hardwick, Partner in Residential Leasehold, has won both the Solicitor of the Year Award and the Regional Professional of the Year Award at the Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards. Brethertons was also highly commended in the Solicitors Firm of the Year category.   The Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards, which celebrated its 10th Anniversary this year, took place on Thursday 7 th June 2018 in London. The highly prestigious event celebrates su

Principle Estate Management has brought in experienced chartered surveyor and estate management expert Joe Jobson as a director. He joins Principle founder Brett Williams in the Birmingham-based practice from 1 June. Joe Jobson said: “I have worked closely with Brett Williams over a number of years and we are likeminded as far as business goes. We both seek to build sustainable, long term relationships with clients and respect each other’s professionalism and commitment. “These are exciting times to be ba

Bishop & Sewell, a leading full service Central London law firm, announces the appointment of Charles Green as a Partner and Head of Immigration with immediate effect. Charles is a UK qualified Solicitor with over 22 years’ experience in immigration law, encompassing Private Client, Corporate, Litigation and International Protection work. Charles began his immigration career in the mid-1990s when he joined an independent organisation in London offering legal advice and general representation to asylum see