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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

Businesses are being warned that HMRC is cracking down on potentially fraudulent claims for research and development (R&D) tax relief.  The tax credits are aimed at companies investing in innovation. The Government has rewarded them for this through the rebate of up to 27 per cent of R&D costs and they can then use the cash to help them sustain and grow the business. But HMRC claims the system has been abused over recent years and at the height of the pandemic, more than £1bn was lost to error and fraud i

Leading estate agent Hamptons is pleased to announce a new partnership with Birchgrove, the award-winning specialist provider of retirement properties. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in offering a unique proposition for those seeking quality senior rental living within the vibrant communities around the M25. With a shared vision for excellence and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of residents, Hamptons and Birchgrove are set to redefine retirement living. Birchgrove's innova

In short, no….It’s a completely unregulated industry. There are a number of regulatory organisations that block managers can join but this is entirely voluntary. This includes: The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) The Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM) The Chartered Institute of Chartered Institute of Housing. The Institute of Health and Safety. The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) Financial Conduct Authority Do managing agent have to be qualifi

Did you know that an investigation by UN Women UK (2022) found that 97% of women ages 18-24 had been sexually harassed, with a further 96% not reporting those situations because of the belief it would not change anything.   22% of girls aged 7-12 have experienced jokes of a sexual nature from boys.   Therefore, in the pursuit of creating a safer and more supportive community, the Hollie Gazzard Trust is gearing up to host the Active Bystander Conference at Hartpury University in Gloucester on 10th July 20