Featured Articles

Intelligent home technology provider, Wondrwall, has launched Energy Service Contracts (ESC), a funded model enabling all new build homes to be net zero energy from build, without incremental costs to the housebuilder or homeowner. In an industry-first, Wondrwall ESC provides housebuilders access to thousands of pounds worth of renewable technology at no additional cost, keeping build costs down in an environment where skills shortages, material prices, and land values are all increasing development costs

Less than 6 months after relocating to the creative buzz of the Custard Factory, Chartered surveying firm Space Building Surveyors are creating a buzz of their own with their first official team hire.  The bold, straight-talking firm run by Toby Bowser and Stephen Seeney, have welcomed Kerrie Bisla to the team as part of ambitious growth plans and their mission to be the go-to niche building surveying practice in the West Midlands.   Kerrie, who has taken on the role of Building Surveyor and is determined

On Wednesday 27th March, the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill had its second reading in the House of Lords and industry expert, Linz Darlington, MD of lease extension specialists, Homehold, has shared his thoughts and asks ‘what promise will be broken next?’ Highlights of his comment include: “As Lord Kennedy pointed out, no clarity has been provided on when changes to lease extensions would come into effect. This means the Bill could be passed, but leaseholders could potentially have to wait for years

Nine in 10 project managers working in the construction sector are confident the UK government will meet its 2050 net zero target, according to a new survey by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered membership organisation for the project profession. But 70% highlighted concerns over the profession’s pipeline talent to sustain the delivery of net zero projects – adding to growing calls for urgent action to tackle the skills gap across the sector. It comes after new figures showed UK e

Property experts at SBA Property Management have revealed the London boroughs with the highest number of vacant properties amid a worsening shortage of homes in the nation’s capital.  The research, which draws on data from all 33 local government authorities, shows that 87,763 houses stood empty across London in 2023. The total value of these properties is worth an estimated £50 billion, with a quarter of the city’s empty homes concentrated in just five boroughs.  The news comes at a time of increasing de

The Association for Rental Living (ARL) – formerly known as the UKAA (UK Apartment Association) - has today introduced principles for a new Build to Rent Code of Practice that will be road tested by the sector to refine their implementation. As the representative body for the institutionally backed, purpose-built rental living sector including Build to Rent (BTR), ARL members and wider stakeholder groups asked the organisation in late 2022 to develop a Code of Practice for the sector on their behalf which

Due to expansion, Keesource have taken on new premises within a beautiful location in Hertfordshire.  We are delighted to inform you that we are moving to a new office location as of 1st March 2024.  Our new address will be Broxbournebury Mansion, White Stubbs Ln, Broxbourne EN10 7PY Thanks to our wonderful clients, we have outgrown our current workplace and have found a space that matches our ambition. If you have any questions about the move, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on 0203 145 075

Banning the sale of new leasehold houses had been trailed in the King’s Speech; a press release later issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities  announcing The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill stated that the Bill would include provisions “Banning the sale of new leasehold houses so that, other than in exceptional circumstances, every new house in England and Wales will be freehold from the outset.  These proposals were not present in the Bill as originally submitted, nor were p

Key Lettings and Property Management, based in Kent, has been expelled from The Property Ombudsman (TPO) following their failure to comply with an adjudicated award totalling £3,100. This expulsion comes as a result of Key Lettings and Property Management's negligence in resolving a complaint filed by a landlord, where several breaches of best practice were identified. The complaint encompassed a range of issues, including failure to register deposits, outstanding rent, failure to provide relevant documen

Managing agents in Haringey have been instructed to pay a £15,000 fine for operating a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) without the required license on Berwick Road, N22. Following an investigation which was carried out in March 2023, it was identified that a property had been occupied as an unlicensed HMO for approximately two years with no adequate management arrangements. This included issues such as disrepair as well as significant hazards of inadequate fire protection and precautions. Prior to issu

Two brave staff members from Principle Estate Management climbed the cold and cloudy peaks of Snowdon to help raise more than £2,500 for a cancer patient. Alanis Griffin, business development assistant at Principle, and Seran Fitzpatrick, a client services assistant with the firm, climbed the 3,560 foot mountain on Sunday 10 March. Ms Griffin recalled how they had to wrap up warmly to cope with the cold winds, and had to tread carefully when they met cloudy and icy weather. The nine-mile fundraising walk

Propertymark urges property agents to be ahead of the curve as pressure builds to enact Regulation of Property Agents.  The news comes as the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Communities, and Housing, Michael Gove, received correspondence from the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee on 22 March which suggested that tenants, leaseholders, and others are being hindered by the UK Government’s delay over implementing regulation.    Propertymark’s views regarding the need for a code of p