Featured Articles

Get the answers to your questions and stay up to date about apartment building management with our featured articles and NOTB guides, on topics such as service charges, right to manage, buying your freehold, major works, building insurance and other issues about blocks of flats.

Principle recruits new associate director with nearly 30 years’ experience in property sector

Principle Estate Management has recruited an experienced property professional with nearly 30 years’ experience in the property sector as the company continues its expansion. Neelam Samra joins principle as an associate director who will oversee key management functions including property managers and property assistants from the company’s head office in Birmingham. Her appoint follows Principle’s new contract to help look after more than 4,000 homes on the prestigious Calthorpe Estate in Birmingham. That

Landlords Sound Alarm on Potential Election Impact: Survey Reveals Top Concerns

A nationwide survey conducted by Leaders Romans Group has captured landlords’ and tenants’ growing anxieties about the potential impact of the upcoming election on the private rental market (PRS). The results reveal significant concerns over proposed rent controls, property taxes, and regulatory changes, urging political leaders to consider the far-reaching implications of their policies. The survey, which gathered responses from over 1,200 landlords and tenants across England and Wales, highlights a prev

Essex law firm elevates presence in Basildon

Essex-based law firm Birkett Long has elevated its presence in Basildon, Essex, by moving to a new office on the sixth floor of Phoenix House. Having opened in Basildon in 2011, this move aligns with Birkett Long's growth strategy. It aims to strengthen its regional footprint, particularly in South Essex, furthering its objectives to sustain its position as the leading Essex-based law firm providing excellent service for all, by all, all of the time. David Cant, Partner and Director of Business Developmen

Be part of the latest industry research

Share your experience to help shape the future of property management. The Voice of the Property Manager 2024 survey captures the valued views and experiences of property management professionals, helping to identify trends and opportunities and drive actionable insights to support the future of the sector. The survey is open until 14 July to anyone in property management, and the results will be published in the MRI Voice of Property Management Report 2024. Respondents will receive a free copy of the rep

Q&A: Working with RMCs as a FirstPort Property Manager in London

Property Manager, Jennie Roos looks after some of FirstPort’s most prestigious residential developments, working primarily with Resident Management Companies (RMCs), alongside other clients, to provide the support and expertise.  Here, she shares insight about working with RMCs and how property managers like FirstPort can provide the additional support needed to help Resident Directors fulfil their duties and obligations.  Can you tell us about your career in property management?  I have worked in various

Leasehold Reform 2024: Navigating Key Changes and How They Will Affect Leaseholders

It’s estimated that there are approximately 4.86 million leasehold homes in England, of which 69 percent are flats and 31 percent are houses.  Leasehold reform has been a hot topic since King Charles’ speech in November 2023. Fast forward to May 2024 and the unexpected call for a General Election led to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (“the 2024 Act”) receiving Royal Assent.  Anushka Nicholas, Head of the Leasehold Enfranchisement team at Blacks Solicitors, discusses the Leasehold and Freehold

Bridge Insurance Brokers appoints London MD

Bridge Insurance Brokers Ltd is welcoming Robin Gleeson as MD at its London office. Robin brings 20 years of real estate insurance experience to his new leadership role at Bridge. He will join the business at the start of July after 14 years at Towergate Insurance Brokers; leaving his Real Estate division MD role there to run the City office of Bridge. Once he has met the team, clients and insurers, his role will be to shape the strategy and activate the tactics that will deliver on the overall business o

The Impact of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act on Landlords and the Commercial Property Sector

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform reached the Statute Book at speed, having been first introduced in November last year and enacted in the pre-general election ‘wash-up’ in late May. This article considers the impact of one significant change to the new legislation, namely the proposal to raise the 25% non-residential limit in collective enfranchisement claims to 50%. This change was welcomed by leaseholders. But the amendment, whilst not as controversial as other proposed changes, will have a much greate

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act: measures of success

The 4.9 million residential leases in England and Wales now face significant change following the enactment of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill. The legislation may have been a long time coming, but was  then sped through Parliament with ministers clearly keen to get the reforms on the Statute Book before the general election. Almost 80% of lawyers and property professionals support leasehold reform, including the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) of which I am a member.

Rendall & Rittner Receives Managing Agent of the Year Award at ACE Awards 2024

Leading managing agent Rendall & Rittner is thrilled to have received two prestigious awards at this year’s ACE Awards: ‘Managing Agent of the Year (15,001+ units)’ and ‘Resident Engagement Initiative’. This marks the fifth occasion that Rendall & Rittner has received the renowned Managing Agent of the Year award in the 6 years the awards have taken place. This achievement also follows the company’s recent ‘Property Manager of the Year’ award win at the RESI awards, meaning Rendall & Rittner currently hol

Major expansion for Churchill Estates Management with acquisition of 32 developments from Housing 21

Over 60s property specialist Churchill Estates Management (“CEM” or “Churchill”) has completed the biggest ever single expansion of its portfolio with the acquisition of 32 retirement developments from Housing 21. Taking effect from 1st July 2024, this acquisition brings a total of 1,035 leasehold retirement properties across the country into Churchill’s portfolio, growing the company’s total units under management to over 10,000. Churchill takes on the ownership and management of the 32 developments foll

Hilco secures £13m exit loan for residential developer in South London

Specialist bridge lender Hilco Real Estate Finance (HREF) has provided a £13m development exit loan to an experienced developer against 24 high quality apartments in Denmark Hill in the London Borough of Southwark. Developed by Craftworks, an architect turned developer which has delivered many successful schemes over the last 25 years, the high spec apartments provide luxury accommodation and have been designed to outstanding architectural standards. The exterior of the building is visually-striking and t

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