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.

Response to Matthew Pennycook’s Statement on leasehold reform from the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP)

Yesterday, Secretary of State Matthew Pennycook made a Ministerial Statement on the future of leasehold reform. Responding, Mark Chick, director of ALEP and a Partner at Bishop & Sewell LLP said: ALEP welcomes the ministerial statement which puts in place a timeframe and some objectives for the implementation of the Leasehold & Freehold Reform Act.  It is clear that government recognises that changes to leasehold legislation are more complex than were first envisaged and we welcome the acknowledgement

Leasehold Reform - Ministerial statement | industry response from The Property Institute

Commenting on the Housing Minster’s statement on Leasehold and Commonhold Reform, The Property Institute’s Chief Executive, Andrew Bulmer said: “The Housing Minister’s announcement today gives much needed detail on how and when Government will move forward with leasehold reform, which we have long awaited. This is welcome progress in bringing an improved quality of living and transparency for leaseholders. “The recognition of the need to drive up standards through mandatory professional qualifications for

Watling appointed on 230 residential unit Croydon development site

The 0.53 acre site in Edridge Road was formerly occupied by the Colombus House office development, which has since been demolished, and planning permission for 230 residential units being granted in July 2022. Andrew Foster and Chris Walker of Watling Real Estate have been appointed LPA Receivers, with Jamie Lamond and Tom Colyer in Watling’s London office leading the sale process. Jamie Lamond said: “The detailed planning permission is for a part 33 storey, part 11 storey, development providing the 230 r

Odevo welcomes addition of award-winning property management agent Encore

Odevo, an international leader that is driving change in the traditional property management industry, continues to strengthen its UK presence following the recent addition of Encore as the latest company to join. As a result, Odevo now oversees the management of more than 1.5 million homes globally. Encore has grown to have eight offices across the country, whilst continuing to maintain customer service at its core having won the prestigious ‘Outstanding Customer Service Award’ at this year’s ACE Awards.

Whitley Stimpson unpacks payroll shifts following the budget

Payroll expert at accountants and business advisers Whitley Stimpson provides an update following the budget outlining the changes to employers’ costs relating to national insurance and the increase in the national living wage. In a significant move, the government has announced an increase in employers’ national insurance contributions to 15%, effective from April 2025.  This 1.2 percentage point rise is expected to generate £25 billion annually for the Treasury. While this increase is slightly lower tha

GAA advises CompassRock International on successful Value-Add programme at Market Quarter BTR property

Asset and property management service provider CompassRock International has demonstrated how to effectively execute a 'value-add' strategy for a UK Build to Rent (BTR) development. This approach has been successfully implemented at Market Quarter,—formerly known as 'Bow Square'—in Southampton, a property that CompassRock owns and manages, where refurbishments and upgrades are now complete and fully operational. Advised by leading Living Sector Consultancy, Global Apartment Advisors (GAA), CompassRock’s s

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

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

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

© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.

News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site you consent cookies.