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EVC, the experts in fully-funded destination charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs) announces its rebrand to Roam.  The change reflects Roam’s broader ambitions for 2025, including European expansion and rolling out the next stage of its £165m commitment, announced last year, to install 100,000 fast and rapid EV chargers across hospitality, workplaces, multi-dwelling residentials, leisure and retail sectors. Since Roam started in 2020, the company has made significant steps in providing a nationwi

Since its introduction in 2004, commonhold has been met with resistance, with only a small number of developments adopting the framework, compared to millions of leasehold properties. Anushka Nicholas, Head of the Leasehold Enfranchisement team at Blacks Solicitors, shares insight on what commonhold ownership is, how the legislation differentiates from leaseholds and the challenges and benefits of embracing this framework.  What is commonhold ownership?  Commonhold ownership allows individuals to own thei

For over a decade, permitted development rights (PDRs) have been a crucial aspect of the planning system. PDRs have shown to be beneficial in responding to need – for example, regenerating high streets post-Covid and providing a tool for addressing the housing crisis. PDRs allow certain types of building work and changes of use to be carried out without the need for a full planning application.  But while many in the development sector are familiar with PDRs for residential extensions or office-to-residen

The rental sector is undergoing perhaps its most radical transformation ever, with a significant increase socially responsible investing. The rise of  Build to Rent (BTR) schemes and institutional investors has ushered in a new era for the private rented sector (PRS), driven by a combination of political change, economic shifts, and a strong desire for sustainable development. The role of policy and political change One of the many catalysts for this new ‘breed’ of property investors has been the recent p

Specialist property manager Lee Baron is pleased to announce the internal promotion of Tom Hardy to the position of Director - Head of Estates at Greenwich Peninsula. This appointment reflects Lee Baron’s ongoing commitment to building lasting relationships with clients and further strengthens its leadership team. Tom, who joined Lee Baron in January 2022, has been instrumental in overseeing the operational management of its largest mixed-use residential site, Greenwich Peninsula.   Lee Baron manages t

AI is revolutionising most if not all work industries, and construction is no exception. Advanced technologies, including machine learning and computer vision, are being implemented into various facets of the sector to improve efficiency in areas such as planning, safety, quality control and overall productivity. Although AI has the potential to revolutionise construction processes, what about areas of construction that remain beyond the reach of automation? One long-existing challenge in the industry is

Fast-growing specialist bridge lender Hilco Real Estate Finance (HREF) has closed a £17.1m loan to a London-based property developer to release capital from a mixed development of high quality apartments and a commercial unit in the capital. The loan, which was delivered at a 64% loan to value with a one-year term, has enabled the borrower to buy out equity partners and enables the developer to complete the sale of the remaining units with more flexibility to maximise their return on investment. The deal

Shaun Lundy, a seasoned health, safety, and fire risk management professional and Director at Tetra Consulting, has been appointed to the prestigious IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) Presidential Team. IOSH is the world’s largest chartered body for health and safety professionals, boasting over 50,000 members across more than 130 countries. This global institution is renowned for setting standards, championing professional development, and leading the way in creating safer and healthie

Following the rushed Royal Assent of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, further controversy has arisen. In the King’s Speech on 17th July, the new Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill was announced, but the full details of the Bill have yet to be released. We can expect more information on this in the near future. The current guidance highlights five key areas the Bill will address. We explore each of these in detail below. Enact remaining Law Commission recommendations to strengthen leaseholde

Birkett Long’s Intellectual Property department continues to grow from strength to strength with the qualification of Michael Pokrachynskyi as a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney. This milestone reinforces the firm’s commitment to offering clients unparalleled expertise in IP law, combining deep technical knowledge in patents and trade marks with the broad experience of a firm that has served clients for over 200 years. Michael has successfully passed all exams related to the Professional Certificate in Trade

It’s a well-known fact that exposure to natural light is better for our health and wellbeing, and clean windows playing a key part in this. But, clean windows do more than simply impact our health, they make a positive  contribution to the appearance of a facility, promoting a healthier and happier living environment for residents. In an era where wellbeing and mindfulness are on the agenda, this can then be a significant differentiator for property management organisations. Let’s face it, first impressio

New research from epIMS, the EPC and energy efficiency platform developed for landlords, reveals that private landlords in England are facing a total upgrade bill of close to £20 billion if they are to ensure that all privately rented properties meet the government’s minimum proposed EPC C rating by 2030. epIMS has analysed all private rental dwellings in England*, looking at what proportion currently hold an EPC lower than a C rating*, before calculating how much the nation’s private landlords are going