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In a survey of members of ALEP (the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners). 80% agreed with the statement, posed in the government’s ongoing consultation on ground rent reform, that ‘residential ground rents can have a negative or undesirable impact on the sale of leasehold properties’. As part of its wider leasehold reforms, the government is currently running a consultation Modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases. The consultation seeks views on limiting the ground

Data compiled by Lansdown Insurance Brokers has pinpointed the most commonly occurring claim causes for their property clients. This data highlights the need for owners of both houses and flats to have effective property cover in place, in order to ensure they’re protected against commonly occurring events which can have a significant financial impact.  Burst pipes and water leaks (referred to as “Escape of water” in insurance terms) were the most frequently claimed for events in both houses and flats for

Coole Bevis LLP strengthen their specialist national Residential Leasehold Department with the  appointment of Adam Davis, Partner and Anna Davis, Solicitor.  Adam joined the firm as a Partner in December 2023 having previously headed up a successful  leasehold team at a boutique central London firm. Anna Davis joined the team in January 2024  following the successful completion of her training contract with the firm, where she gained  experience in this area of law.  Since qualifying in 2017, Adam has sp

Nominations for the highly anticipated Unsung Heroes feature 2024 are officially open! News on the Block and Jackson Sims Recruitment are thrilled to join forces once again to recognise and celebrate the exceptional individuals within the leasehold property industry who have gone above and beyond. Entering its fourth year, the Unsung Heroes feature has become a popular platform for honoring professionals across the property industry. This year, we are proud to shift our focus to the Build-to-Rent sector,

Leading managing agent Rendall & Rittner is pleased to have recently secured a Five Star award from the British Safety Council, as well as having maintained its ISO 45001 accreditation. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Rendall & Rittner has obtained the British Safety Council’s highest accreditation for health and safety standards. Providing the most comprehensive, quantified, and robust evaluation of a company’s occupational health and safety policies, processes, and practices, the British Safe

Householders dealing with the aftermath of Storm Henk can take steps to protect their homes from future flood events, says a national trade body. The Property Care Association says that unsettled weather patterns being seen year on year mean flood resilience is becoming paramount for many householders across the UK. More than 600 Flood Warnings were in put place due to Storm Henk – with hundreds of properties affected by flooding and thousands left without power including parts of London. Flood resilience

Chartered surveying firm Space Building Surveyors have announced their relocation to brand new premises at the Custard Factory in Digbeth just 18 months after launching their business.  The growing firm, run by Toby Bowser and Stephen Seeney, is swapping its former office on Temple Street for more space and the creative buzz of the Green House Building in Digbeth as part of ambitious growth plans.    Toby Bowser, who founded the firm in 2022 explains what the move represents:  “We’re not typical building

Livingcity Group of Companies is delighted to announce the appointment of Daniel Bright, as Associate Director of Livingcity Asset Management Ltd. Daniel’s appointment underscores a significant growth in our professional asset management consultancy. The asset management consultancy has benefitted from an increase in real estate investment and property development clients, in addition to providing key advisory services to our core property management service.  Daniel joined Livingcity in 2019, having comp

Leading estate management company MetroPM has been appointed to manage a major development of 110 apartments in Ilford, Essex. Medici Close is one of 18 new contract wins in the past six months for MetroPM, which is based in Birmingham but has a growing national portfolio. Medici Close consists of Tuscany House and Lorenzo House which provide modern accommodation situated handily both for access to central London and other parts of Essex. The development is on the doorstep of King George Hospital and a sh

James Massey, the Managing Director of Facilities Management at MRI Software, delves into key tech trends he is seeing as we begin the year, shedding light on how they are poised to revolutionise the industry in 2024 As we step into a new year, the Facilities Management (FM) and Property Management (PM) landscape is set to undergo a tech-driven transformation that promises to redefine the way teams operate and maintain our built environments. Spearheading this evolution are three key trends: the widesprea

Issue 128 of News on the Block has now been published and is available for subscribers to read online now. This issue includes a special Property Management Awards 2023 feature and includes some of the following articles. Mixed reactions to lease reforms in King’s Speech The importance of staying compliant  Spotlight on small operators AI second that emotion! Insurance commissions: could they be at risk? BAC to the grindstone! Why resident engagement strategies really matter Landlords... beware o

Kevin Sims, Director of Sales & Marketing at SO Resi:   Location, location, location “With the market proving to be unpredictable as ever this year, one thing which buyers are sure of is being strategic in the places they buy. Proximity to London and amenities help to reduce commuting times and costs whilst in turn aiding our strategy in where we provide affordable housing. “This means that the Thames Valley region is proving to be a property hotspot this year, with a markedly denser population than its h