Featured Articles

Residential property investors, represented by the Residential Freehold Association (RFA), have written to the Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to warn that the Government’s leasehold reform proposals to retrospectively cap residential ground rent could expose public finances to a potential compensation bill of up to £30 billion, due to the interference with the legitimate property rights of investors.  Given the OBR’s role in evaluating fiscal risks, the RFA have written to its Chair R

Affordable housing provider SO Resi has recently launched its newest Shared Ownership scheme in the capital, with 37 homes at its SO Resi Canning Town development in Newham. Eager buyers are invited to find out more at two launch events at The Crowne Plaza Hotel Docklands from 10am – 4pm on 18th & 25th May, strictly by appointment only. The apartments at SO Resi Canning Town have all been stylishly designed with comfort in mind, offering low maintenance modern living. All homes come with Koncept kitchens

Housing association Peabody and development partner The Hill Group recently came together to see how work is progressing on the redevelopment of land formerly occupied by St Ann’s Hospital in South Tottenham.  The project partners were joined by members of the Greater London Authority, Haringey Council and other guests for a tour of the site, where work is well underway on the foundations of the new homes. The transformative project is set to deliver up to 995 homes for local residents across multiple pha

As we raise a toast to News on the Block's milestone, we're also celebrating the launch of Block Debt in April 2024. It's not just another credit control agency; it's a game-changer in how businesses supplying the leasehold property sector manage the weight of debt. With a mission to shift mindsets and spotlight ethical payers, Block Debt is poised to lead an industry-wide transformation. In the intricate web of the leasehold property sector, there are a few persistent issues that loom large for suppliers

In this article, Nia Blackwell, Associate Solicitor at JB Leitch Real Estate, provides an update on the subject of EV charging – and the practical implications for landlords and managing agents to consider.  Since our previous articles on the subject, the energy landscape remains a core concern for many. Despite general stabilisation with wholesale prices falling for electricity and gas supply over the last year, recent weeks has the price of fuel at pumps beginning to increase again as the market reacts

Block Recruit Group embarked on an innovative journey with its 4-day work week trial, stirring interest in a new era of work practices. But what's driving the excitement around this pioneering approach? The trial wasn't just about trimming workdays; it aimed to revolutionise the workplace experience. By condensing the workweek, Block Recruit Group sought to elevate productivity, boost well-being, and attract top talent.  Over six months, meticulous data collection and analysis across various performance i

The Property Institute (TPI) have just released their shortlisted finalists for the ACE Awards 2024! Congratulations to all those who made the shortlist. Winners and highly commended will be announced at TPI’s Awards Dinner at Old Billingsgate, London EC3 on Friday 21st June 2024 (6pm - 12:30am). Click here to view the 2024 Finalists. Those who have been shortlisted are entitled to one complimentary ticket per category. To claim your complimentary ticket(s) please contact Yen Ly Nguyen. If you have alr

New research lays bare the challenges faced by prospective buyers in getting on London’s lucrative property ladder, with mortgage costs across the capital revealed to be 42% higher than average rental prices – substantially higher than other cities like Manchester, Leeds and Bristol. Market analysts at London-based property management specialists, SBA Property Management, found that across the city homeowners spend around £797 more on mortgage payments than tenants pay on rent each month. The research com

The latest research by HomeOwners Alliance shows that almost 60% of homeowners who bought within the last 5 years say they had a RICS house survey or a new build snagging inspection. Of those who had a survey undertaken before buying their property, nearly a third (30%) took action as a result of issues flagged in the survey. Among this group, 10% renegotiated the purchase price, while 9% got the sellers to fix the problems. Having a survey enabled other homebuyers to get quotes for remedial work before d

Running enthusiast Edd Owen recently embarked on an extraordinary feat, completing an impressive 80-mile run by circling his apartment block—a remarkable journey that drew inspiration from his own aspirations and the feats of others. Over the course of 12 hours, the 26-year-old tirelessly traversed 290-meter loops around his apartment complex, totaling an astounding 441 laps. His determination and stamina were fueled by the legendary exploits of Russ Cook, who earned the title of "Hardest Geezer" by becom

The iconic tower block immortalized as Nelson Mandela House in the beloved British sitcom "Only Fools and Horses" is slated for demolition, making way for a new chapter in London's urban landscape. Harlech Tower, known for its role in the TV series as the residence of Del Boy and Rodney Trotter, is set to be razed and replaced with state-of-the-art £850 million luxury apartments by 2027. Despite its portrayal as a Peckham-based home, the tower block, situated north of the Thames in Ealing, served as the e

The latest research by property development appraisal software, APRAO, has revealed that since Sadiq Khan became the Mayor of London, the capital has seen the second largest number of new homes delivered of all English regions. However, when compared to the same time period prior to his election, London has seen by far the smallest increase in new housing stock reaching the market, as well as the lowest rate of house price growth.  APRAO analysed the delivery of new homes in London since 2016/17 when Sadi