Featured Articles

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

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has welcomed the Government’s commitment to improving energy efficiency in housing, with the announcement that it will consult on proposals for private and social rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C or equivalent by 2030. This step represents a significant move towards creating healthier living conditions and addressing the root causes of fuel poverty in the UK. For years, CIEH has championed the need for urgent action

An established London office building with residential development opportunities and a larger mixed-use proposal awaiting permission is being marketed for sale by Watling Real Estate. Symal House at 423 Edgware Road, in the Burnt Oak area of Brent, was built in 1955 by renowned architect Walter Segal for Tretol, a manufacturer of construction products, and extends to 21,548 sq ft across four floors, although it is now vacant and partly dismantled. Renewed permitted development for the 0.55-acre site would

The appointment will assist UKREiiF with the next phase of their growth following Infopro Digital’s acquisition of the business. UKREiiF (The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum) has announced the appointment of Lord Richard Harrington as UKREiiF’s Advisory Group Chair. He’ll assist UKREiiF with their growth strategy following their acquisition by Infopro Digital in July. Alongside his role in chairing the UKREiiF Advisory Group, he’ll help advise around key growth areas for the business.

Sigma Capital Group, the UK’s leading build-to-rent provider, has appointed a new lettings director, who will lead on the company’s portfolio in London and the South of England.  Charlotte Russell joined the Sigma team in September 2024, with over 20 years of experience in real estate. Charlotte previously spent 14 years at JLL, holding various senior positions in the business, including Area Director – London Lettings.   Charlotte’s role at Sigma will be to lead on developing lettings strategies for Sigm

New technology has the power to transform residential property letting and management for landlords and tenants alike, both now and in the future explains Saveli Kotz. Given the rapid growth of residential property letting and management in recent decades it is surprising that the tools to manage the process for landlords have been so limited. But that is set to change with the emergence of ‘landlord platform technology’ - a new, more automated form of property management that makes asset information more