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The UK’s leading property management company, FirstPort, has secured funding through the Government’s Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) The funding aims to benefit residents living in developments with district and communal heat network systems by supporting improved efficiency and helping to reduce future costs. FirstPort applied to the HNES to improve the efficiency of the heat network at Victory Pier in Gillingham, Kent (pictured) and the development was selected to receive funding in November 2023

Zain Rizvi, a 39-year-old management consultant from London, is gearing up for his 25th "Big Sleepout" to support the prevention of youth homelessness through the youth homelessness charity St. Basils. Born and raised in Birmingham, Zain's dedication to this cause began at the age of 14 when he participated in his first Sleepout after learning about the event from a schoolteacher. Over the past 25 years, Zain, with the support of his ever-generous friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers, has raise

The second ‘Proper Talk’ – a lively property panel discussion forum – is to be held on Thursday 1 February 2024, 830am at Building Centre, 26 Store Street London WC1E 7BT, just off Tottenham Court Road. You will have the opportunity to network over breakfast before the panel session which starts at 9am, and afterwards too. Discussions will be centred around topical property insurance issues, of which there are several, causing managing agents and freeholders significant headaches. We aim to provide you wi

"We hope that making it easier to convert houses into flats will boost private rentals and create more right sized homes. Our research has shown that 46% of downsizers say that a lack of suitable housing is a barrier to them moving.  But the government doesn’t have a good track record on extending Permitted Development Rights.  The quality element can be missing and is too often not up to standard, as we have seen with these office to flat conversions,. Standards need to be maintained as deregulation in t

A development of luxury canal-side apartments with private parking  in Birmingham city centre is to be looked after by Principle Estate Management. 63-64 Water Street is a new collection of two and three-bedroomed apartments and penthouses within the city’s historical Jewellery Quarter, developed by Alcora Warren. The ten exclusive residences across four storeys are currently being marketed by Maguire Jackson and Centrick, and Alcora Warren has awarded the estate management contract to Principle. Joe Jobs

Leading property management agent, Rendall & Rittner, has recently supported the work of charity, Ukrainian Action, by sponsoring six trucks of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. With Ukrainians facing the prospect of another winter of power outages and instability, the donations have been distributed across the country where they are most needed. The team of Rendall & Rittner volunteers drove over 1,000 miles from Woolwich in 48 hours to hand over the aid to volunteers in Poland. The trucks were stacked with a

Future Group is excited to announce the newest addition to our team, Russell, who joins us as the Business Development Manager. Dedicated to the needs of property and estate managers, Future Group has consistently delivered a fresh, comprehensive, turnkey service, and Russell's arrival reinforces our commitment to excellence. Russell's Property Journey Russell entered the real estate world at 18, starting as a Letting Negotiator before transitioning into property management. With a six-year tenure at one

Principle Estate Management has recruited two senior property directors with a total of nearly 20 years of experience in the sector between them. Polly Dyer joins Principle as property director from the HML Group, where she was regional head of property management for the last four years overseeing offices in Bolton, Knutsford, Birmingham, Aldershot, Luton and Whetstone. Ms Dyer, who once served with the RAF, had previously spent more than four years as senior property manager with the Residential Managem

The revolving door of housing ministers in the UK continues, as Rachel Maclean becomes the 15th to be ousted since 2010. Described as a "totally embarrassing conveyor belt" by a Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities insider, Maclean's dismissal came as a surprise, especially on the eve of her introduction of the government's Renters Reform Bill. Maclean's departure was announced on social media, sparking frustration from her colleagues, including Housing Secretary Michael Gove and Cabinet Mi

When Chancellor Jeremy Hunt gets to his feet on Wednesday to deliver his Autumn Statement, he should consider offering support to both tenants and landlords, according to one PRS expert. While rising rents caused by supply shortages have hit tenants hard – especially those who rely on the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) – many landlords have in turn had to cope with increased interest charges on buy-to-let mortgages, which some claim have rendered their rental properties unviable. Neil Cobbold, managing dir

Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group and waste management and recycling business Powerday have teamed up to raise money for this year’s BBC Children in Need. A brightly coloured skip, decorated with Pudsey-themed spots, recently toured London to raise awareness in the run-up to the big event on Friday, 17th November. The family-owned companies have collectively contributed £20,000 to the appeal, with each donating £10,000. In keeping with this year’s BBC Children in Need theme, ‘Be Spotacular’, the l

The realm of property management is a multifaceted one, filled with both opportunities and challenges. In light of the PMA Awards, this article illuminates these challenges and unveils the award-winning strategies that have propelled property management companies to gain recognition and attain excellence in their field. Remaining Compliant in Health and Fire Safety Regular Health, Fire, and Safety Risk Assessments Legislation underscores the necessity for "regular" health, fire, and safety risk assess