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RMG property management has successfully generated over £400k worth of business from the north of England.  Justin Herbert, RMG's Operations Director for the North, said: "Customers recognise the benefi t of regular site visits, full transparency and accessibility to Property Managers, quarterly meetings and site audits, as well as the value for money and customer service provided by RMG." RMG has recently acquired 16 new developments from Miller Homes in the North West - replacing the original agents app

Stonedale, the specialist London based property management company has appointed Andrew Lyle as its new Head of Operations. Andrew boasts a career that spans over 20 years in property management, having worked for a number of high profi le managing agents in London. In the 18 months since joining the Stonedale team as a Senior Property Manager, he has managed developments in Docklands, Limehouse and Clerkenwell. Andrew Lyle commented, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the Stonedale team and

As the Government scraps regional housing targets, the Town and Country Planning association has published its latest report, ‘The Future of Planning". TCPa Chief Planner, Dr Hugh Ellis said: "...The TCPa is profoundly concerned that Government's proposal to abolish regional planning will destroy a valuable mechanism for making essential strategic investment decisions." also, Home Builders Federation chairman Stewart Baseley said; "we urgently need clarity on housing planning policy...we have an acute hou

Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger reflected on the risks of too much legislation being introduced too quickly and all too often is poorly drafted by over-pressed civil servants when he spoke at the annual conference of the Leasehold Advisory service (LEASE). He told an audience of property lawyers, managers, freeholders and leaseholders that this leads to cobbled, last-minute amendments and then the judiciary is then called upon to work out what was meant and intended, thus effectively becoming legislato

The government has abolished the Home Information Pack, to industry acclaim. Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), which are required by EU law, will be retained. Serial entrepreneur and television star, James Caan says the Government's quick thinking in axing Labour's controversial HIPs scheme is a step in the right direction. "This is good news for people desperate to move up the property ladder. The HIPs scheme was a major barrier to fluidity in the housing market," says Caan, founder of a billion po

News on the Block magazine is delighted to share with its readers this 50th Issue in publication. Founder and Publisher, Nicolas Shulman said: "We thank all our loyal readers and advertisers for their fantastic support over the years, and we will continue to provide you with the very best information about owning and managing  block of flats".  For over a decade, and to much acclaim, News on the Block has helped thousands of leaseholders, landlords, managing agents and their professional advisors with acc

Housing Minister Grant Shapps has announced that he will be scrapping plans to regulate managing agents. The u-turn was met with dismay by an industry largely supportive of proposed regulation. Speaking in Parliament, Mr Shapps confi rmed that with the property sector already governed by a well established legal framework, the Government has no plans to introduce any further regulations. Lucy Morton of W A Ellis said: "I believe this is a major error of judgement as it is essential to improve the standard

Leaseholders and residents' associations seminar: Your rights explained Trowers & Hamlins LLP are delighted to invite you to a seminar held in conjunction with News on the Block on Enfranchisement, Lease Extension and other leaseholder rights.  The seminar will focus upon the rights granted to leaseholders and leaseholder groups by law.  You will hear from speakers including: Nic Shulman of News on the Block (Chair), Genevieve Mariner of Strettons, Peter Ward, Michael Donnellan and Leigh Shapiro of Trow

Property Management company, Chainbow,  celebrated its 21st birthday by having a staff birthday cake ‘bakeoff’ with proceeds from the sale of the oven-baked treats benefiting children’s research charity, Sparks. Chairman Roger Southam (pictured below)) reflected, “The secret of our success is enforcing a high standard of customer service, transparency, accountability and acting in the best interest of our clients whether they are freeholders, leaseholders or developers.” The company has recently increased

Communal areas of residential blocks are comparatively low risk, however accidents will happen. There will undoubtedly be a collective yawn and audible sigh from Landlords, Block Managers and RMC Directors everywhere. Just the thought of Health & Safety will be enough to make the eyes glaze over with the perceived complex and frankly soporific bureaucracy of legislation and regulation. Health & Safety can have this effect however it is apparent and unfortunate that nothing focuses the mind more on Healt

Peter Gilgallon advises blocks to plan in preventative maintenance throughout the year Here, he looks at the spring and summer months. Springtime Increase garden maintenance as the growing season is starting especially the grass and weeds. Carpets and hard floor surfaces will undoubtedly look tired as rock salt, mud, leaves and wet weather conditions have left their mark on communal areas. During the autumn, leaves and moss from roofs, would have dropped into the gutters so consider having drains

There have been many cases on refusal to consent (whether to assignment or underlet) all turning on what is "reasonable". The Landlord must show reasonableness in refusing consent to an assignment (Landlord and Tenant Act 1988). But what is reasonable is decided by the courts. Two recent cases have established new and helpful principles. First: the landlord must not threaten refusal to improve his position under the lease. This was the point argued (unsuccessfully by the landlord) in Landlord Protect