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Green shoots are finally appearing, with indications that the property market is moving in the right direction for the first time in over five years. However, owners of properties whose leases have fewer than 80 years unexpired must not allow this glimmer of hope to gloss over the importance of taking action to address such diminishing assets. The length of a flat’s lease affects its underlying value for a number of reasons. When a lease falls below 80 years it can be difficult to secure a mortgage for t

QUESTION Dear Sir Dear Editor, can you please advise me on the rules and regulations relating to CDM (Construction, Design and Management Regulations) Name Withheld ANSWER If you are about to alter, maintain, or extend a building or structure, thinking of putting up a new one or demolishing an existing one, then the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 place a number of specific duties on you. The extent of these varies with the type and project involved, and you may be required to a

Leasehold management in housing associations has been a Cinderella service for many years. The vast majority of our property is managed for social or affordable rents. However over the last 20 years there has been steady growth in the leasehold stock owned by HAs. The sources of this growth come from two main sources, the various shared ownership schemes and the Right to Buy (RTB). With the changes to central government funding many HAs now find that in order to continue to develop, they have to build le

Braemar Estates appointed Gabriela Boczkowska to the new role of Portfolio Data Controller. Based in Hale, Gabriela joins from the Co-operative Pharmacy division where she was responsible for developing and maintaining a data control system covering over 800 Co-op Pharmacy outlets. Braemar has a £1bn property portfolio covering some of the country’s most iconic residential assets, including Cathedral Group’s award winning Clapham One in London, Grosvenor’s One Park West in Liverpool and the high-rise Bee

Tracey Hartley, Project & Operations Manager at Grainger PLC, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord, has been seconded to the Government’s Private Rented Sector Taskforce. Tracey, a Chartered Surveyor and member of the National Association of Estate Agents, joined Grainger in 2006 after several years working in estate agency and before that at the Local Government Ombudsman.

Michael Newey has succeeded Alan Collett as President of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Mr Newey is the group chief executive of Broadland Housing Group based in Norwich, UK, and a regular visitor to the Australian affordable housing sector since 2004. Louise Brooke-Smith will take office as the first female President Elect in RICS history, Martin Brühl becomes Senior Vice President, while Amanda Clack becomes Vice President. Mr Newey said: “I am delighted to assume the office of RI

James Biley has been appointed to the position of Marketing & Communications Director at Countrywide Estate Management (CEM). He will be assisted by Hollie Robertson as Marketing and Communications Assistant. Ronnie Green, Managing Director of CEM, said of James’ appointment, “The words ‘above and beyond the call of duty’ are synonymous with his work ethic. His enthusiasm, dedication and boundless energy are what this business needs to take it forward. James’ wide range of contacts, his understanding of

Hyperoptic, broadband technology provider, has received an equity investment commitment of £50m led by Quantum Strategic Partners Ltd (Quantum) to reach more than 500,000 homes with 1Gbps true fibre hyperfast broadband within the next five years. Hyperoptic’s broadband provides unimpeded fibre speeds directly to the premises, whereas other services are hybrids relying on existing infrastructure and copper cables. The firm will soon be expanding to provide hyperfast broadband to business and commercial pr

A new high-rise elevator is set to break industry limits and enable future travel heights of up to 1km, double the distance currently feasible. Elevator designer KONE claims its UltraRope elevator uses brand new hoisting technology that surpasses conventional steel rope and dramatically boosts savings and eco-efficiency. A carbon fibre core and high-friction coating makes the elevator lighter, cutting energy consumption and reducing the weight of the ropes, car and passenger load. Downtime caused by bui

Arthur J Gallagher International, the fourth largest insurance broker in the world, have bought property insurance company Deacon Insurance Services, enabling it to expand its coverage within the UK. Deacon’s Managing Director Nigel Feast said: “We are delighted that Deacon will enjoy the advantages of such an influential parent company. For our clients this is extremely good news and we expect them to enjoy an improved level of service.”

Residential Management Group (RMG) has secured two management agreements alongside its recent work with Oakes Luxury Homes. Kier Homes appointed RMG to manage its forthcoming developments in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire. The sites in Spalding and Little Paxton, St Neots, will comprise 539 and 49 houses respectively, including Housing Association properties and private homes. This win comes after family-run historic property restoration business, Oakes Luxury Homes, completed its first leasehold devel

Employees from the Crabtree Group walked from London to Brighton in around 26 hours to raise money for North London Hospice. The team set off from Richmond at 10.15am, Saturday 25th May, reaching Brighton around midday the next day. Crabtree PM also sponsored a mini bus for Chalgrove Primary School, with a launch day visit from their mascot, Crabbie the Cat.