Featured Articles

The redevelopment of One Swallow Street is on track to be Birmingham city centre’s first office-to- residential conversion to be completed following the introduction of permitted development rights.   Scheduled for completion in May, the scheme from Berkshire-based Salmon Harvester Properties Ltd has brought a new lease of life to a prominent, centrally-located office building which was no longer fit for purpose.   Situated metres from the Navigation Street entrance to New Street Station and Grand Central

Qube Global Software has created the Task Hub, as part of its continued focus on developing game-changing mobile technology for the property industry. The remote access portal enables users of Qube PM property management software and their external partners to manage workflow from any location.    The Task Hub can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection, displaying the user’s personal ‘to do’ list which can be filtered according to their preferences, including tasks, diaries, jobs and calls. With

SLC Solicitors, specialists in Ground Rent, Service Charge and AST arrears, have appointed PRS consultants Paul Belson (ex PRS Government Taskforce) and Richard Berridge (PRS expert and strategist) . The firm, headed up by Neil Shearing, operates nationally and has developed a dedicated ‘first of its kind’ PRS team which has been advising institutions on their downstream business for the past two years.   Jo Green, Head of Business Development for SLC said: ‘With all the talk about a £50 billion instituti

We are delighted to announce this years NOTB Championship winners.... The News on the Block Charity Football Championship was a raving success with all teams getting thoroughly involved in the competitive spirit! We would like to thank all of the teams and spectators from across the industry for making it the best championship yet! It all came down to an intense, action-packed final between Finnegan Property Services and PMR, with PMR crowed the 2016 winners.  We would like to Congratulate:              

The British public’s attitude to renting property has evolved, as 62 per cent view renting as a long-term living plan. Yet private rental prices paid by tenants inBritain are predicted to rise, having increased by 4.9 per cent in the last 12 months. As people choose to invest long term in rented accommodation, and prices continue to climb, it is no surprise that tenants are expecting a higher standard of living. This puts pressure on property management companies to maintain their properties and fix any p

Landlords are obliged to provide certain information to leaseholders upon request.  As most readers will know, service charge and ground rent demands must also contain specific information.  Additionally, there is a prescribed summary of rights and obligations which must accompany demands for both service charges and administration charges.    The vast majority of leases will provide very few, if any, rights to information about the landlord or management parties to the lease.  The statutory rights entitl

​The MediOliver Foundation need your shoes to help smash the Guinness world record for the largest shoe mosaic.  We are very happy to to support the MediOliver Foundation, who was also one of the nominated charities at The Property Management Awards 2016. The foundation was set up in honour of Medi Oliver Mehra whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 11. Medi’s mother, Mary-Anne Bowring of Ringley’s started the foundation which focuses on projects that bring opportunities to children through edu

QUESTION We have a leasehold property which is a house above an under croft (it is a tunnel and an area for parking). There are four houses (two either side of the leasehold properties) three of which are freehold and one a tenancy. The houses and flat all have access through the tunnel to parking at the rear. We and the owners really want them to take over management or buy the freehold but are unsure if this can be done under the Leasehold Reform Act (RTM or enfranchisement). If not how else can it be

QUESTION Under the tenants’ rights and obligations I have the right to see the records and invoices etc. which relate to my property. Does this include the bank statements which relate to the managing agent. ANSWER You are correct that you are entitled to see all of the details regarding the service charge including, accounts, invoices and statements. That said, it is only the details for your development that you have a right to see. Service charge money paid by leaseholders is trust money and should be

The property management event of 2016 is Property Management Unwrapped, organised by Brethertons Solicitors LLP.   If you haven’t attended before, block out the 24 - 25 June in your diary now.  The event is being hosted at the stunning Grade I listed Royal Holloway in Egham and attracts some of the best speakers in the property industry. If you like conferences that mix the latest in property news and information, with a relaxed social atmosphere including a gala dinner (and a few surprises) book your pla

Specialist property law firm Brady Solicitors has added a Head of Real Estate Development to its growing team, further strengthening the firm’s offering to the block management and residential property sector.   Julie Carr joins Brady Solicitors from DWF in Leeds, where she was a Partner and Head of Residential Development.   Commenting on the appointment Clare Brady, MD of Brady Solicitors, said: “Julie’s appointment is a real coup for Bradys. She is exceptionally well-regarded in the industry and has

Qube Global Software have launched their new series of 6 free online webinars, tackling key issues throughout all areas of the property industry. Each webinar will also offer sneak peeks of their award winning property management systems, as used by the likes of First Port, Grainger and Harrods Estates.   Residential Block Managers: How to deliver better service to leaseholders and stay on top of your property management challenges 17 June 2016 Discover how software can tackle the unique challenges faced