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Wembley is quickly becoming one of the biggest hotspots for first time buyers, with 77% of homes in the up-and-coming Northwest London location snapped up by first-time buyers since the start of the year.  Wembley Park Gardens, Barratt London’s fast selling new collection of one and two-bedroom apartments is a joint venture with Places for London (TfL’s property company), helping to meet the demand from aspiring homeowners renting in the area. With the first phase over 90% sold, the modern two-bedroom apa

The built environment accounts for approximately 25% of the UK’s total carbon emissions, with traditional and heritage buildings playing a significant role in this figure. According to the government’s review on adapting traditional homes for energy efficiency, 5.9 million buildings were constructed before 1919  – a sizeable proportion of the UK’s housing stock that requires urgent attention if the nation is to meet its net zero targets. The government has set a legally binding goal to achieve net zero by

Oakfield Estate Agents is excited to announce its recent appointment by developers Purple Pepper Partnership Limited as the exclusive letting and management agent for the highly anticipated Station Plaza, a stunning new build-to-rent development conveniently located in the heart of Hastings. This exceptional project aims to provide residents with modern, high-quality rental accommodations in a vibrant and accessible setting. Station Plaza comprises 103 private residential apartments, featuring 1, 2, and 3

Thackray Williams is pleased to announce the expansion of its construction law services. The firm now offers both non-contentious and contentious construction law advice to clients involved in the management of residential and commercial properties. Contentious Construction Law Mustafa Sidki, Litigation Partner at Thackray Williams, specializes in a wide range of property and construction disputes. His expertise includes: Construction Adjudications: Resolving construction disputes through a swift and co

This Christmas season, JFM Block & Estate Management partnered with the residents of Battersea Reach to deliver much-needed donations to several inspiring local charities. Acting as organisers, JFM facilitated the collection and delivery of clothing, toys, and essential equipment generously donated by the Battersea Reach community.   The donations were delivered to: Little Village – A lifeline for families, providing clothes, toys, and baby equipment for children up to five years old. Salvation Army

The UK leasehold market is set to face significant recruitment challenges in 2025. Legislative reforms, evolving workforce expectations, economic pressures, and a heightened focus on employee well-being are reshaping how organisations attract and retain talent. Adding to this complexity, the ongoing consolidation of property management firms is altering the competitive landscape, necessitating innovative approaches to workforce management. Against this backdrop, the use of specialised recruitment services

Octopus Energy and SNG customers become the first social housing residents to move into homes with no energy bills for at least 5 years. At Nexa Fields in Exeter, six social housing residents will pay absolutely nothing for their energy, thanks to state-of-the-art green technology that makes their homes eligible for Octopus Energy's pioneering ‘Zero Bills’ initiative. Launched in 2022, ‘Zero Bills’ is a world-first energy tariff from Octopus Energy that allows customers to move into homes that are fully k

The property market has been fairly tumultuous this year, but all signs are set for a January surge in residential and commercial properties new to the market! With uncertainties in mortgage rates a lot of homeowners put their house sale on hold in autumn. But with the impending threat of further mortgage interest hikes and the incentive of beating the lowered stamp duty threshold at the end of March 2025 property insights point to a rush of house sales in January. January is a popular month to put proper

With the cost of living going through the roof, getting onto the property ladder has never been more expensive. And it's not just the deposit and legal fees that are burning a hole in your pocket. HCB Solicitors reveals the true costs of moving into your first home, from energy bills and broadband to buying furniture can cost £32,065.32. [1] According to Zoopla’s latest House Price Index, the average cost of a house in the UK is £267,200. This means a first-time buyer could expect to pay up to £26,720 as

There is no doubt that 2024 has seen several changes in the market and hiring within the Leasehold sector. With this in mind, Joe Peat, Senior Consultant in Leasehold Management at deverellsmith has put together some transformations he has been seeing and how this has altered how we attract top talent. A shift back to office working As the UK leasehold property market navigates the post-pandemic shift towards in-office work, retaining top talent demands a strategic balance between traditional practices an

Giving back to the communities in which it operates, Essex property group, Beresfords, has reflected on a year of charitable giving, in which the team’s collective efforts have raised £27,000 for local initiatives. Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) - charity property dinner An annual property dinner, held at the Down Hall Hotel & Spa, brought together over 180 guests for an evening of fundraising and celebration. Together, significant funds for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) were raised, adding to

Commentary from Mark Chick, director of ALEP (Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners) and a Partner at Bishop & Sewell LLP: 2024 has come to a close with some very welcome clarity from the government on leasehold reform. An end to uncertainty? At ALEP’s annual conference in October, the overwhelming sentiment was one of uncertainty - uncertainty which extended across professions but also to the five million plus leasehold flat owners in England. With the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2