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Creepy neighbours, residents who have died, rumours of haunting, and unlucky door numbers are just some of the spooky reasons likely to frighten off potential home buyers, according to research from first direct. Nearly half of all home buyers (43%) claimed creepy neighbours would be enough to have them heading for the door, while one in five (21%) said that a death in the property would send shivers down their spine. Rumours of ghostly goings on would also see 20% staying put and nearly one in ten (8%) w

It was billed as “Birmingham’s hottest new address” and Assay Lofts in Charlotte Street is already virtually sold out over a month before the first buyers will be able to move in. Elevate Property Group’s 32 apartment development which overlooks St Paul’s Square in one of Birmingham’s most sought-after locations, has “flown out the door” according to sales and marketing director David Hofton. Assay Lofts has been constructed on the former car park of the Assay Office which was based there from 1878 but mo

An experienced property manager has become the 15th staff member at Principle Estate Management as the business continues its fast growth. Melanie Hunt has spent five years building up extensive knowledge of the sector after taking a BA (Hons) in Business Enterprise at University College Birmingham. Ms Hunt’s new role comes as Principle continues as the UK’s fastest growing residential estate management business 18 months after its launch, with well over 100 developments across the country. In addition, t

If flat owners want to install EV charge points in their blocks, they face an array of problems. These include restrictions on development or modifications within building leases, who pays for charge point installation, and how costs should be allocated among residents. But George Freeman MP, Minister of State for the Future of Transport has stated in a letter to leading EV charge point provider Future Fuel, that commonhold is the answer to leaseholders’  problems.  Director of Future Group, Jamie Willsdo

Sir Desmond Swayne MP cut the ribbon on the brand new McCarthy House building in Ringwood at an Official Opening ceremony on Monday 7th October. The new £4m building is the Head Office for Millstream Management Services (MMS), Churchill Retirement Living’s dedicated property management arm. Members of the Churchill and Millstream teams were there to help mark the occasion, including the Group’s co-Founders Spencer and Clinton McCarthy and their father John McCarthy. John McCarthy pioneered the retirement

We know a thing or two about moving at News On The Block - so when we heard about the ARMA Conference moving to a brand new etc.venues location in Houndsditch in the heart of the city, we couldn’t help but get excited.   The venue was not the only change, ARMA has built upon its history of serving our industry and rejuvenated its flagship conference with a new format and an ever-more engaging list of speakers, sponsors and partners.   With over 550 industry professionals in attendance, delegates heard wha

The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) has written to Esther McVey, Minister of State for Housing to review and improve flat owners’ rights to extend their leases.  The Association's letter to the Minister highlights the issue of the current two year wait regulation that applies to leaseholders wanting to purchase the freehold of their property.  John Midgley, ALEP Director, explains: “At present, under current legislation, leasehold property owners must have been the regi

Princes Gate, the conversion of former HMRC offices in Solihull into luxury apartments by Elevate Property Group, is now over 60% sold. The company said that the nine minute train journey into Birmingham was attracting young professionals working in the city, and the proximity to Birmingham Airport was appealing to the “lock up and leave” generation with properties abroad. Sales and marketing director David Hofton revealed that the first phase of Princes Gate, Consort House, is already 100% sold and the s

Significant value may be added to a leaseholder’s property interest if they can change the use from commercial to residential and even more if, as a result, they are then able to acquire the freehold interest from their landlord by enfranchisement. Two cases illustrate this and the problems for leaseholders and their landlords in this regard i.e. as they battle for ground to negotiate for a share of the development value. In the first case, Shaviram Normandy Limited v Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council,

ARMA (the Association of Residential Managing Agents) has issued a ‘Fire Safety Management in Flats’ Guidance Note to share best practice with professional Fire Safety personnel involved in the residential leasehold sector, including managing agents, developers and landlords. The Guidance Note has been produced in line with statutory guidance and industry best practice and independently reviewed by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, ARMA’s Primary Authority Partner and can be accessed by clicking here.  D

As any good property manager knows, they’re only as good as the people they surround themselves with. And as a residential block manager has more on their plate than ever before, the reliance on the team on-site has never been greater.   Does this give the property manager the excuse to let the on-site staff run the show?   Under-utilised An on-site team may comprise an estate manager, concierges, a caretaker, maintenance man, security personnel, cleaners… At another building, there may be a single front

MRI Software (“MRI”), a global leader in real estate software solutions, announced a range of key new solutions during the opening general session of MRI Ascend, its North American users conference, held in Anaheim on October 13th through 16th. The announcement underlines MRI’s continuing commitment to both innovation and an open and connected approach to real estate software. The announced products bring new payment, lead management, lease intelligence and secure signature capabilities to MRI’s comprehen