Featured Articles

Get the answers to your questions and stay up to date about apartment building management with our featured articles and NOTB guides, on topics such as service charges, right to manage, buying your freehold, major works, building insurance and other issues about blocks of flats.

Construction of Sama’s multi-million-pound Canalside scheme in Birmingham set to begin in early 2025

Sama Investment Group, the Birmingham-based developer and investor, has announced that construction of its multi-million-pound Canalside residential scheme in Birmingham’s Digbeth Quarter will commence in the first quarter of 2025 – with 85 apartments now for sale. The project, known as the Brickworks Canalside – which is inspired by the area’s rich industrial history – will see a range of one-to-three-bedroom homes delivered as part of an eight-storey building along Watery Lane Middleway and Bolton Stree

Ringley Group launches new service charge platform

The Ringley Group has launched a new platform, Service Charge Sorted, created to shake up the market and offer an alternative to hefty block or estate management fees. Service Charge Sorted is the latest addition to the residential group, which manages a £12bn portfolio of apartments and properties for homeowners across the UK. Ringley has 30 years’ experience in residential real estate, advising major investors including Patrizia and Europa. The new platform is designed for leaseholders in small blocks o

Celebrating Growth at Strangford Management Ltd: Welcoming Claire Bates and Recognising Steph Grillo’s Impact

Strangford Management Ltd is thrilled to announce two important milestones in our team’s journey. With immense pride, we’re celebrating the promotion of Steph Grillo to Senior Property Manager and welcoming Claire Bates as our new Head of Growth and Partnerships. Steph’s journey with us has been remarkable. Known for her tireless dedication and hands-on approach, she’s been a trusted figure to our clients and a mentor to her colleagues. Moving into her new role as Senior Property Manager, Steph will conti

Huge success of ARL Annual Build to Rent Conference demonstrates sector commitment to elevating rental living

The Association for Rental Living (ARL) has thanked the Build to Rent (BTR) sector for its support in the huge success of the ARL Annual Build to Rent Conference and Awards 2024. More than 400 delegates gathered in central London on 7th November for the event, which focused on elevating rental living – to government, policy makers, local authorities, consumers and across the wider BTR sector. Diverse discussions encompassed three keynote speeches and six in-depth breakout sessions. Simon Century, Managing

Beresfords raises £4,890 for SNAP to support families of children with additional needs

Property group, Beresfords, has announced its recent charitable success in raising £4,890 for SNAP, an Essex-based charity supporting families with children and young people with additional needs or disabilities. The contribution was part of Beresfords' initiative to donate £10 to SNAP, for every property completion across its sales and lettings transactions in the Brentwood Borough, throughout 2024. SNAP, located in Brentwood, provides a lifeline to families across Essex whose children have additional ne

Landlord Action Calls for High Court Enforcement as Bailiff Crisis Worsens

Landlord Action, one of the UK’s leading eviction and housing law specialists, is drawing attention to significant delays in bailiff appointments at County Courts across London. Courts managed by the Stratford Housing Centre are now scheduling bailiff appointments as far out as mid-2025, with delays stemming from a critical shortage of County Court bailiffs, placing additional financial pressure on landlords already facing tenant arrears. The courts with bailiff applications processed by the Stratford Hou

Housebuilding insights: East London bearing brunt of capital’s new-build burden

New research has revealed the London boroughs with the biggest share of new-build homes amid a renewed effort to increase housing supply across the capital. Drawing on the latest housebuilding statistics, property experts SBA Property Management have found that East London is leading the way for new-build developments. The research shows that Tower Hamlets has the highest share of new builds in the city, with 7.2% of the borough’s housing constructed in the last five years. The inner London borough is fol

No pain, All gain with launch of onsite gym at Barratt London's Ridgeway Views

As the winter months roll in and it gets darker earlier, many people begin to struggle with motivation to exercise. In between desk based jobs, long working hours and stressful commutes, staying consistent can be tough, but at Barratt London’s Ridgeway Views development in Mill Hill, buyers will benefit from a state-of-the-art gym on the doorstep of their home.  The launch of the onsite gym will provide a convenient, easy space for residents to maintain a healthy lifestyle, with 24/7 access to cater for b

A Guide to Addressing Damp and Mould in Social Housing and Private Rental Properties

Damp and mould are persistent issues in social housing and rental properties and pose significant health risks and structural challenges. In this article, Jon Crosby, Managing Director of building safety specialists Trail Group, looks at the issues, best practice strategies for dealing with mould and the regulatory environment.  For housing associations and providers, property managers and private sector landlords, understanding the health risks, prevention strategies, methods of remediation and complianc

Wembley: The New Hotspot For First-Time Buyers in London

According to The Building Societies Association’s latest ‘First-Time Buyers’ report, 2024 is roughly the most expensive time to be a first-time buyer in the past 70 years.1 Fortunately, SO Resi is offering an accessible route to homeownership, offering Shared Ownership at its newly launched SO Resi Wembley Park development on Brook Avenue, Wembley HA9.   Data from Shelter reveals that nearly half of private renters have no savings.2 Shared Ownership allows buyers the opportunity to purchase a percentage s

How I discovered a marijuana factory in my rental property

You’d think that as the CEO of No Letting Go, the UK’s leading provider of inventory and property reporting inspections, and Kaptur, the provider of software for property reporting, with most of my career spent in the lettings industry, I wouldn’t be caught out by such a major issue. I’m writing this article to highlight the pitfalls landlords can face, and to share what I’ve learned from my experience. As a small landlord with a handful of properties in and around South London, which I’ve owned for many

Five Compelling Reasons Why People Choose To Rent Over Buying

With the emergence of the UK’s Build to Rent (BTR) sector, more and more renters are choosing to rent rather than buy, highlighting how the UK’s rental landscape is continuously growing. With BTR developments often occupying prime urban sites in major cities, lifestyle as a city’s biggest demand driver, coupled with a location that provides access to restaurants, leisure and cultural options, means more people are consciously choosing to rent in urban locations, and rent for longer. Offering flexibility,

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