Featured Articles

Service Charges: What’s Driving the Costs? In recent years, service charge increases have put a strain on household budgets, leaving many residents questioning what’s behind the rising costs. As property managers, it’s our responsibility to balance maintaining high-quality services while managing costs effectively. From soaring inflation to stricter regulations, we break down the key drivers behind service charge pressures, and how we’re working with Resident Management Companies (RMCs) and customers to m

Award-winning property management agent Rendall & Rittner has recently appointed Fiona duCassé as its new Business Development Manager. Fiona’s appointment reflects the wider expansion of Rendall & Rittner’s new business team, as the company aims to continue bolstering its growing portfolio in 2025 and beyond. With 20 years of residential block management experience, Fiona has proficiency supporting a variety of developers, freehold investors, RMCs, RTMs, and later living developers across portfolios, fro

Private landlords can currently demand large upfront rent payments, leaving many Brits financially strained or in debt. The upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill seeks to cap advance rent at one month. Landlords could still request one month’s rent upfront and a security deposit of up to six weeks, per the Tenant Fees Act 2019. Lawhive’s UK lawyer and Head of Legal Operations, Daniel McAfee, comments on the Bill’s potential to transform landlord-tenant dynamics, with major changes to financial obligations and ten

A coalition of prominent housing organisations, including the Leaders Romans Group (LRG), has written to Matthew Pennycook MP to express concerns over the proposed Renters' Rights Bill. The joint letter highlights the risk that measures such as limiting advance rent payments and freezing housing benefit rates could unintentionally restrict access to housing for vulnerable groups, including tenants with poor credit histories, international students, and those with fluctuating incomes. While supporting the

A unique luxury development of 142 apartments in a famous former bank’s landmark headquarters in Yorkshire is to be looked after by Principle Estate Management. Principle has won the contract for what will be known as The Halcyon from property investment company Joseph Mews, partners on the project with developers Sekhon Group. The Halcyon is on Croft Road in Bingley in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, once the base of the former Bradford and Bingley banking group. This will be transformed into a mix of

“Whilst the Association for Rental Living welcomes legislation that will improve the rental experience and support the professionalisation of the rental sector, we are concerned that the new amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill to restrict rent in advance, passed in yesterday’s Third Reading, creates another barrier to entry for those already on the margins of the private rented sector. “The greatest impact of these ‘unintended consequences’ will be felt by the self-employed and retirees, who are often a

Earl Kendrick is thrilled to welcome Dan Lane to the team as Associate Director and Head of EK Reinstatement Cost Assessment Ltd. Dan brings with him over 25 years of expertise in the building and surveying industry – a journey that began in his family’s construction and refurbishment business, where he first fell in love with the nuts and bolts of insurance claim reinstatement. With a solid foundation in loss adjusting, Dan’s path took a turn down the RCA route, and he’s never looked back. Fast forward a

Robert Poole, Director at Glide Property Management, part of Leaders Romans Group (LRG) “Reflecting on 2024, the block management sector has faced considerable regulatory changes, particularly with the Freehold and Leasehold Act and the Building Safety Act. These updates have expanded the scope of fire risk assessments to include external walls and flat entrance doors, reinforcing the critical role of proactive management in ensuring resident safety. “Looking into 2025, the sector is set to undergo furthe

I am delighted to announce our next Proper Talk coming up fast at the end of January. If you haven’t attended a session, Proper Talk is a lively property panel discussion forum, with straight-talking experts giving you the information you need. This will be our fifth Proper Talk, the collaboration of Bridge Insurance/Flatguard, Earl Kendrick and me, Jonathan Channing. We’re back in MANCHESTER at breakfast time (830am) on Thursday 30 January 2025 at the wonderful Midland Hotel on Peter Street in the centre

Regulatory compliance can often feel like an overwhelming journey. In “Mind the Gap,” we break down these complexities using the familiar metaphor of a train journey - complete with stations, platforms, and signposts to guide managing agents and property managers through the route to compliance. This engaging and accessible approach makes it easier to understand what lies ahead and how to prepare effectively. How to Get on Track for Compliance: Ready to bridge your heat network’s compliance gap? If you’re

Leading social enterprise Places for People has acquired an affordable housing development site in Langley Mill, Derbyshire, working in partnership with Derby-based developer Wheeldon Brothers Ltd. As one of the UK’s largest affordable housing providers, PfP is committed to increasing the supply of much-needed affordable housing in the East Midlands. The Langley Mill site will be a key development supporting the launch of the organisation’s new apprenticeship and skills initiative PfP Thrive based out of

We are thrilled to announce the return of the Unsung Heroes feature for 2025, brought to you by News on the Block in partnership with Jackson Sims Recruitment. Now in its fifth year, this special initiative shines a spotlight on outstanding individuals within the leasehold property industry who go above and beyond in their roles. We are happy to say that nominations for 2025 are now open to continue celebrating the professionals whose dedication and exceptional contributions make a real difference in the