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Recent media reports (including in The Sunday Times, Property Industry Eye, Estate Agent Today and The Guardian) have stated that the Government has abandoned plans to reduce ground rents to ‘a peppercorn’ – which was originally trailed in November’s King's Speech, the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill and in a ground rents consultation which closed earlier this year. This comes amid concerns that the plans could wipe out between £15 billion and £40 billion of investment, effecting pensions and others. I

World leading Nobel Prize winners made huge breakthroughs here, including the discovery of the flu virus and vaccine in 1936[1]  19 commemorative plaques are being installed at the development to honour the scientists   Stephen Hawking was inspired here as a boy whilst visiting his father, who worked at the NIMR for over 30 years[2]    London has been home to some extraordinary scientific breakthroughs over the years, none more so than at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIM

Welcome to a world where the day-to-day intricacies of property management are transformed with the stories of industry leaders, residents, and experts to create a podcast to discuss ideas and experiences.  This podcast steps out of the conventional mould of block management and into a world of honest and open discussions.  It is not just about exploring the nuances of living in a leasehold property or working in the leasehold sector; it's about delving into the stories that exist within these spaces. It'

New research produced by global property consultancy Knight Frank and law firm Irwin Mitchell reveal that planning remains one of the largest challenges for the Seniors Housing market as nearly a third of councils across England remain unprepared to provide suitable housing for their ageing populations. Just under a  third  (32%) of local authorities still do not have clear policies in place to support housing for seniors according to new research from Knight Frank and Irwin Mitchell. This significant sho

When residents at a Black Country apartment block reported unsafe window frames on their communal stairs, Principle Estate Management sprang into action. The problems arose at the Bentley Wharf development in Short Heath, Willenhall, and were more challenging due to the age of the development, as there was a lack of any warranty on the faulty windows. But Andrew Winstanley, a senior associate director at Principle who heads the firm’s property management operations, explained how this hurdle was quickly t

From 20 March 2024, the UK Apartment Association (UKAA) will be rebranded as the Association for Rental Living (ARL), highlighting the breadth of the purpose-built rental living sector which it represents in the UK, and the growth of rental living internationally. Since 2016, the UKAA has established itself as the leading membership organisation representing the Build to Rent (BTR) sector in the UK. Originally founded out of, and with affiliation support from, the National Apartment Association in the USA

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has today published its Manifesto for 2024, calling on the next Government to commit to world-leading standards for British buildings. Key asks include encouraging ‘micro’ investment zones to develop clusters of excellence in net zero research, embracing technologies like AI to enable improved planning and retrofit programmes, and enabling government collaboration with low carbon entrepreneurs to ensure innovative products meet sustainability standards. BRE’s Mani

A new resident engagement initiative undertaken by Complete Technology Group (CTG), Orbit Housing Association and Lightning Fibre has confirmed a lack of consumer knowledge and understanding of Full Fibre.  The ‘Connecting Customers’ initiative drives digital inclusion and aids the rollout of Full Fibre broadband ahead of the forthcoming copper switch-off, particularly among those in housing schemes. Initial findings revealed 51% of those spoken to had little to no understanding of Full Fibre. However, 87

Noella Lee (previously Morton) has joined Livingcity as Director - Property Management. Former Chief Operating Officer of ARMA (now the Property Institute), Noella Lee has returned to her roots in residential block management, joining Livingcity Asset Management Limited as Director – Property Management. This move aligns with a pivotal period for Livingcity as 2024 signifies a year of targeted growth. Having over two decades of experience, Noella comes with a wealth of expertise; having been a Senior Prop

Often called 'touch me not balsam' this highly invasive plant is becoming an environmental and commercial issue in many parts of the UK. It’s one to watch! Featured in this article: Why Himalayan balsam spreads so quickly How to identify it Legal implications Its environmental impact  Increasing flood risk How to control or remove Himalayan balsam Each Himalayan balsam plant produces more than 2,500 seeds which can remain viable for up to 2 to 3 years and can be easily transported by water. When t

Almost half of project management professionals working in the construction sector consider themselves to be neurodivergent, according to a survey by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered membership organisation for the project profession. Ahead of Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 18-24 2024), APM surveyed over 1,000 project professionals working in various UK sectors including construction in the poll carried out by national research company Censuswide. In total across all sec

Residential property management company The FirstPort Group has partnered with luxury retirement living provider Platinum Skies, a part of the Affordable Housing & Healthcare Group (AHH), to oversee its communities across Dorset, Wiltshire, and Somerset. The six schemes, exclusive to those over 55, have been developed by Platinum Skies, offering luxury retirement living in vibrant communities made affordable through a shared-ownership model. FirstPort has been appointed to manage Platinum Skies' thriving