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Proper Talk’s fifth outing on 30 January was another resounding success, drawing around 100 industry professionals together for a lively and thought-provoking panel discussion. The event kicked off in style, with attendees fuelling up on breakfast pastries before making their way into the plush Derby Suite at Manchester’s Midland Hotel for the main event. Jack Seton, Head of FlatGuard, set the tone by "shining a spotlight" on the invaluable work that block managers and their suppliers do in our sector. Wi

The Ringley Group, a leading property management and real estate consultancy, is pleased to announce the appointment of James Paul and Sabuj Sarkar to key leadership roles. These strategic moves are set to drive Ringley’s growth and further strengthen its position in the property management sector. James Paul has been appointed as Managing Director Ringley Fire and FM. Additionally, James is Operations and Partnerships Director for Ringley Building Surveying & FM, bringing extensive experience in fosterin

Homeowners who have recently purchased a flat have received a significant boost following a landmark legal change that allows them to extend their leases without waiting two years. This reform, part of the Government’s broader overhaul of leasehold and freehold regulations, removes a major barrier for leaseholders seeking to secure the long-term value of their property. Lease extensions are crucial as they not only increase a property’s market value but also make it easier to sell. Under the new law, leas

Issue 135 of News on the Block has now been published and is available for subscribers to read online. This issue of News on the Block includes a special Service Charges feature and a tribute to Ian Fletcher as he announces his retirement from the BPF. Some of the articles in this issue include:  Housing Secretary makes leasehold reform promise Special three-page feature, where we mark the contribution made by Ian Fletcher as he gets set to retire Why two-year lease extension rule matters Preparing a B

Principal Accountable Persons for high-rise blocks have been able to complete a Safety Case Report that “summarises the safety case for a high-rise residential building…identifying the building’s safety risks and explaining how the risks are being managed” since October 2023. It’s likely that most PAPs have now completed their safety case reports and have either been invited to apply for their Building Assessment Certificate or are waiting for their notification. Here we’ll be explaining what will go into

Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy at The British Property Federation announced his retirement from The BPF as of 31 March 2025. We would like to thank Ian for all of his hard work, contributions to the industry and his support to News on the Block as a long standing judge of our Property Management Awards for a number of years. Ian is a hugely respected member of the industry and his outstanding contributions and presence will be missed. Ian commented “I have been so lucky to have worked in a job that I ha

Service charges are the most contentious element of property ownership and it’s rare that property managers have raving fans. It’s no secret that leasehold laws are desperate for reform - the industry awaits more detail on what this might look like, but the next twelve months could well see some pivotal changes. Discontent around service charges is rampant and has been for many years – but the industry has carried on regardless and has failed to take heed, thereby forcing the government to take the lead,

With recent statements from government indicating that significant parts of leasehold reform, including elements relating to service charges and legal costs, will be subject to further consultation in the coming year prior to the development and implementation of secondary legislation, the Technical & Complex Litigation team at JB Leitch turn our attention to recent and notable case law which provides a more immediate consideration of the precedents being established with regard to service charges in a Co

It might seem obtuse to say that spending money will save money but that is true for many things in property management. For example, proactive, cyclical major works to a block of flats is going to be more cost effective than attempting to patch up maintenance issues as they arise. A building’s declared value – the cost of rebuilding it including demolition costs, professional fees, VAT and more – is needed by an insurer to work out the cost of the buildings insurance. It’s a simple sum to calculate the p

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (“ECCTA”) received the Royal Assent on 26th October 2023. Despite being in force for over a year now, how many directors of freehold companies, resident management companies, Right to Manage Company and/or managing agent professionals fully understand what this landmark legislation means for them and/or their clients? The ECCTA represents one of the most significant reforms to Company House since it began its corporate registration service in 1844. At

Ensuring service charge demands are issued correctly, and are therefore enforceable, is one of the most important roles of a managing agent. With changes on the horizon to how service charge demands are issued for higher-risk buildings (HRBs), managing agents should be preparing for their introduction, as they are likely to come into effect in a matter of months rather than years. Within this article we detail what you need to know about the new requirements under Sections 47A and 49A of the Landlord and

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook’s November 2024 statement makes a further promise to reform the law of forfeiture as it affects residential leases. We know from the passage of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (‘LAFRA’) (and the amendments tabled by Mr Pennycook when he was in opposition during the reading of the Act in the House of Lords) that this is something about which he feels passionately. However, the suggestion of reform of the law in this area is nothing new - indeed, the Law Commiss