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The latest Government house building data shows that the number of starts rose in the first three months of this year to the best level since the second quarter of 2008. Despite this, starts are currently only running at around 50% of the level achieved at the high water mark of the previous cycle. Commenting on the Government's house building data, Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist said: "Significantly, most of the recent improvement has come from a turnaround in private sector development with outp

The Federation of Private Residents Associations has called for a change to the Landlord and Tenant Act that would allow for ‘reasonable' insulation to be carried out to blocks of flats as part of the service charge. Existing legislation on energy effi  ciency excludes many leaseholders because the grants are aimed at individuals that purchase in their own names rather than through communal arrangements. It is therefore not practical for the leasehold owner of a flat to take most of the steps that a house

Over 50 property managers celebrated together in London as England beat Slovenia in the FIFa world Cup 2010. The event was jointly hosted by News on the Block and Sky Homes.

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