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.

Acis and MRI Software Win Prestigious Award for Groundbreaking Partnership in Property Maintenance Innovation

Acis Group and MRI Software have won a prestigious award in the ‘Most Innovative Property Service’ category at the National Housing Maintenance Federation (NHMF) Awards 2024 held on January 23. The annual conference is devoted to housing maintenance and is run by asset management professionals. Acis Group, is a prominent housing, education, and skills provider operating in Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire.  The award recognises the success of its collaborative partnership wit

UKAA confirms Legal & General’s David Reid as the Chair of its committee for the Build-to-Rent (BTR) single-family housing sector

The UKAA (UK Apartment Association) has confirmed David Reid as the Chair of its committee for the Build to Rent (BTR) single-family housing sector. Reid, Managing Director of Legal & General’s Suburban Build-to-Rent business has long been seen as a leading figure in the rapidly growing market for suburban build-to-rent houses and is committed to supporting the sector to deliver high-quality new houses that meet the needs of institutional investors and operators, whilst providing secure, professionally ma

Martyn Gerrard continues ambitious growth with acquisition of Range Homes

Martyn Gerrard, recently hailed as the Best London Estate Agent at The Negotiator Awards, is today announcing the acquisition of Palmers Green-based estate and lettings agent Range Homes. The near £1 million deal will see the highly regarded services offered by Range Homes, which include lettings valuations and management, guaranteed rent packages, and property management, integrated into the comprehensive lettings services already offered by Martyn Gerrard across north and northwest London, and beyond. R

10 million UK homeowners experience barriers to carrying out energy efficiency measures on their homes

The majority of UK homeowners (57%) have experienced obstacles that have prevented them from carrying out energy efficiencies   The majority of homeowners (57%) have reported the following barriers from carrying out energy efficiency improvements, according to the latest research by HomeOwners Alliance.  More than one third (36%) of homeowners have not undertaken work because of the cost of improvements, one in five (19%) say the lack of grants/ incentives is a barrier and a similar proportion are not

St Basils Woof Run Returns to Solihull's Brueton Park

St Basils Homelessness Charity is thrilled to announce the return of the Woof Run to Brueton Park in Solihull. This family-friendly and fur-tastic event is set to take place on Sunday, 3rd March, promising a day of canine fun and community spirit, all while supporting a crucial cause. About St Basils Woof Run: The St Basils Woof Run is not your ordinary doggy event; it's a thrilling 2.5K obstacle course designed for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Taking place against the scenic backdrop of Brueton Park Nat

Issue 129 Online Now

Issue 129 of News on the Block has now been published and is available for subscribers to read online. This issue of News on the Block includes a special Back to Basics feature with Guest Editor Benjamin Hume, and sponsored by TNA Building Services.  Some of the articles in this issue include:  Ground rents ‘a problem’ say majority of ALEP members What are the options available to agents for an out-of-hours service? What you need to know about starting your own block management business Beyond balance

How Landlords Can Encourage Tenants to Be Environmentally Mindful

In an era where environmental consciousness is on the rise, individuals and businesses alike are seeking ways to minimise their ecological footprint. Buildings, being responsible for about 42% of annual global CO2 emissions, are largely contributing to global warming and other environmental factors. Chris Martin, Sale's Director at Skip Hire UK said: “Landlords, being key players in the housing sector, can make a significant impact by fostering a greener mindset among their tenants. This not only contribu

Leasehold Reform Bill - Committee Stage Comment

Linz Darlington is the Managing Director of lease extension specialists, Homehold and feels very passionate about the topic of the Leasehold Reform Bill.    Linz commented, "A key policy objective of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill is to make it cheaper and easier for people to extend their leases and buy their freeholds.  However, the legislation is deafeningly silent on the prescribed rates that will dictate the cost of doing this. Instead it delegates this important task to the Secretary of Stat

Siddall Jones expands with the acquisition of 4D Properties Ltd

Leading Birmingham commercial property agency Siddall Jones has purchased Bromsgrove-based 4D Property Management, which specialises in asset management. Ed Siddall-Jones, the managing director of Siddall Jones, explained that the strategic purchase meant the business could now serve an even broader range of clients across the West Midlands and further afield. 4D Properties Limited was established in 2001 and is a successful niche company specialising in high-net-worth clients who invest in, or already ho

Crowned with Success

One of the South-Wests largest independent property agents celebrates its 30th year this month and owner & founder Darren Stocks MIRPM, AssocRICS says, "It’s been a long road, I started as a young 24 year old lad by opening a small office on the same day my daughter Rebecca was born I might add, 12th February 1994 and we remain in the same road that we trade from today albeit we have moved into larger premises". Mr Stocks adds, “the key to Crowns success has always been people and not property, most of my

Abloy UK uncovers multi-residential access trends and market drivers

Abloy UK has delved into multi-residential access trends and key market drivers in a new whitepaper, “The future of multi-residential access management”, encompassing environments such as apartments, university accommodation, care homes, and more. Chris Pike, Business Development Manager – Multi Occupancy at Abloy UK, explains: “Multi-residential housing - or multi-family as it’s also known - is Europe’s second-largest real estate sector, and we are seeing digitalisation gathering pace in this arena with

How Will the Renters Reform Bill Impact Landlords?

The private rented sector is a vital part of England’s housing market. Around 4.6 million properties are privately rented, representing nearly one-fifth of households in England. The Government is taking a closer look at the sector through the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill, which aims to improve conditions for both tenants and landlords. The reasoning behind this decision draws upon the fact that some renters face "a precarious lack of security" while landlords are being "undercut by a minority

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