Featured Articles

Building safety regulations in the UK have undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Property managers, alongside the wider industry, have been tasked with navigating complex statutory changes which guarantee additional measures are in place for the safety of their residents.  The recent fire in a high rise building in Dagenham is a poignant reminder of the importance of fire safety in all residential buildings. Fleur Bowen, The FirstPort Group’s Director of Health and Safety, reflects on th

Adam Sanders explains why block managers should use consultants to help with safety cases, but that the key to success is the effective implementation of in-house management systems. In January I wrote an article discouraging hysteria about safety case reports, and promoting a more effective strategy for building safety in blocks of flats. My argument is that building safety legislation (the Building Safety Act and 31 pieces of associated secondary legislation) focuses on ensuring we know how buildings wo

Just a matter of weeks since the release of the Grenfell Inquiry phase 2 report we are seeing a lot of activity and commentary on the impact this has for the construction industry and wider implications for building regulations. Whilst we are now dealing with the wide-ranging regulations brought in with the Building Safety Act, it is becoming evident that the remediation of at-risk buildings cannot happen soon enough. Building regulations are detailed and complex documents, and their recommendations are u

Airspace property developers Castlemere Developers have secured a prime London location for its next residential project. The Windsor-based company is to build five one-bedroom airspace apartments at Nicholas Court, Burnt Ash Hill, in Grove Park, London. The development, which will cost a total of £1.35m when complete, will replicate its current airspace schemes by using offsite construction methods before being lifted into place to complete the work. Nicholas Court, which is a three-story apartment block

When it comes to fire safety, expertise and a commitment to quality are paramount. Lyfe Safety Systems exemplifies these qualities, positioning itself as a trusted provider of comprehensive fire protection services. Dedicated to safeguarding lives and properties, the company offers both Active and Passive Fire Protection solutions that go beyond compliance, focusing on delivering peace of mind. What Sets Lyfe Safety Systems Apart Lyfe Safety Systems is built on a foundation of transparency, reliability, a

Issue 133 of News on the Block has now been published and is available for subscribers to read online. This issue of News on the Block includes a special Health & Safety Feature sponsored by Future Group. Some of the articles in this issue include:  - Systematic dishonesty’ contributed to disaster - TPI’s flagship conference set to take place - Ensuring comprehensive fire safety -  Why are fees charged by agents to landlords so high? - A poignant reminder  - A decade of excellence in health and safet

Having an insurance policy and paying your premium does not automatically guarantee that your insurer will pay out when you make a claim. Every insurance policy has exclusions (things or circumstances that aren’t covered) and limits to the amount your insurer will pay out for any single article and/or incident. There are also terms and conditions that must be complied with, including the need for you to take reasonable steps to avoid insured events occurring in the first place. Here are five key things to

Construction is underway on a new luxury property development in Surrey, following a £3.4m residential property development loan from Secure Trust Bank (STB) Real Estate Finance. Located in the village of Felbridge, East Grinstead, nine semi-detached new-build properties are being built to the rear of existing homes on Rowplatt Lane. The homes, which are just outside of the High Weald National Landscape, are being developed by Bruckland Developments, a premium property developer in the South East of Engla

With over 10 years of industry experience, Future Group has established itself as a multi-award-winning specialist in health and safety compliance. Our entire company is built on the foundation of compliance, making us a trusted partner in the block management industry. Our contributions to enhancing health and safety standards are evident in the comprehensive services we offer across multiple key areas. Fire Safety Expertise At Future Group, fire safety is a top priority. We specialize in the installatio

In this second article in our series of three we look at what it means for residential leaseholders and their landlords following the Government’s confirmation that it will enact the remaining Law Commission recommendations around enfranchisement rights (leaseholders rights to extend their lease or acquire the freehold to their house or block of flats). The Law Commission’s recommendations are set out in its report “Leasehold Home Ownership: Buying Your Freehold or Extending Your Lease”. The stated intent

In short, property owners have been left in limbo. Not all property owners but specifically leaseholders seeking lease extensions and those who own freehold houses and are compelled to pay an estate charge. Whilst the Freehold and Leasehold Reform Act 2024 gained Royal Ascent on 24th May as part of the Conservatives “wash up”, little of the legislation is active as it requires secondary legislation to bring the various provisions of the act into force. Some limited parts of the act, including provisions r

Building and fire safety specialist, Trail Group, has marked its 20th anniversary. To celebrate this important milestone, Trail’s directors hosted an event in a spectacular location overlooking the Tower of London. Over 100 clients, supply chain partners and members of the Trail Group team attended. Trail Group has expanded over the last two decades and now offers an even wider range of services to building owners, occupiers, landlords and property managers from a single source – including passive and act