We spend an awful lot of time talking about the cost of insurance, but perhaps not enough time talking about its value.

Reform should protect leaseholders from disproportionate loss while preserving their neighbours’ ability to live in a properly managed building.

Preparing your block for the colder season is a proactive step towards maintaining compliance, minimising risk, and protecting residents.

When reviewing your next lift maintenance contract, don’t just ask, “How much does it cost?”

For property owners and managers, cleaning is less a chore and more an asset-management decision.

This month in Flat-Living Magazine; we are focusing on some maintenance orientated FAQs we often get asked of property managers and clients:

Structured, validated data turns winter’s repairs rush from a series of manual tasks into predictable, evidenced, low-risk operations.

Maintenance is an opportunity to build lasting relationships, strengthen trust and demonstrate a genuine commitment to the people who live there.

Good maintenance is about recognising defects early, protecting existing assets and knowing when repair should become renewal.

Colin Stokes, MD of Adiuvo, on what property managers should look for, and look out for, when lining up trades for the out-of-hours emergency list.

How the Building Safety Act and Section 20 consultations are colliding—and how to protect your funds.

Installing suitable equipment is only ever the beginning. Regular inspection, testing and maintenance are essential to ensure it remains effective.

Water can quickly spread through floors, ceilings and communal areas, potentially affecting several homes before the source is identified.

An ageing heating system may appear to be saving money while it continues to work, but repeated repairs, inefficient operation and increasing safety risks can tell a different story.

Regular maintenance, clear emergency responsibilities and good communication give residents and building managers a stronger starting point when severe weather arrives.

Chris Shattock has been promoted to Director and Head of Commercial Surveying, a year after he joined the business.

The Government published its partial response to the Energy Performance of Buildings consultation on 21 January 2026.

In some residential buildings, the absence of a Fire Strategy may only become apparent when the document is requested.

For many, purchasing a flat in an older building represents a chance to live somewhere with genuine architectural or historical interest.

For residents of historic mansion blocks and converted buildings, the lift can be much more than a means of getting from one floor to another.

Fixflo’s new Section 20 workspace, powered by Aareon Intelligence, helps agents run consultations in the correct statutory order while building a live audit trail as they go.

Residential buildings generate a surprising amount of financial information, but making sense of it as a whole is harder.

For property managers, the challenge lies in ensuring these buildings remain fit for modern living while preserving the features that make them special.

What happens when the lift at the heart of that building reaches a point where it needs significant refurbishment, modernisation or replacement?

Period architecture, original features and a strong sense of history can make these blocks highly desirable places to live.

Listed buildings offer something that many modern developments cannot: history, character and distinctive architectural features.

With careful planning, appropriate materials and a whole-building approach, improving energy performance and protecting heritage can go hand in hand.

Historic buildings often offer character and architectural details that are difficult to find in modern developments.

There has been a huge amount in the press about the “feudal” system of leasehold and how the government’s revitalised commonhold will fix all of the problems associated with long leasehold ownership.

Leasehold reform will alter income, control and liquidity, but it will not remove the need for careful due diligence.

On 16th July 2026, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) published its Government Response to the Plug-in Solar Consultation, alongside an Interim Product Specification for plug-in solar panels.

Multi-disciplinary surveying and engineering consultancy Earl Kendrick has announced the promotion of Daniel Lane to Director.

Mountview Estates plc v W8 Property Ltd [2026] UKUT 196 (LC) provides important guidance on how the condition of a flat should be treated when assessing the premium payable for a lease extension under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (“the 1993 Act”)

For many property managers, managing agents, freeholders, and residents, lifts are an essential part of everyday life.

Strong communication lays the groundwork for successful property management, particularly when it involves managing a new build development.

Fixing today’s problems is reactive. Building tomorrow’s reputation is proactive.

For those responsible for higher-risk buildings (HRBs), it helps meet legal duties, builds trust and ensures residents understand the safety measures in place, their own responsibilities and how to raise concerns.

So, how can you tell whether your lift maintenance contractor is delivering the level of service your building deserves?

AI has an important place in customer service, but residential block management is ultimately about people. The most effective approach is therefore one that combines the best of both worlds.

Open and transparent communication can help residents understand why premiums have increased and what has been done to secure appropriate cover.

Organisations that invest in the wellbeing of their teams are often better equipped to deliver the consistent, thoughtful and responsive service that residents value.

By focusing on prevention rather than reactivity, you can reduce risk, protect residents and improve the long-term performance of their buildings.

Brady Solicitors, a leading specialist property management law firm, has secured investment from LDC, part of Lloyds Banking Group.

The Property Institute (TPI) has published research revealing a widening two-tier divide in cladding remediation.

The Remediation Bill gives the headlines two numbers: end of 2029 for buildings above 18m, and end of 2031 for buildings between 11m and 18m.

As 4site marks 20 years of supporting the property industry, it feels like the right time to look back at how much the building safety landscape has changed since we began in 2006.

It is common for flat leases to have restrictions on sub-letting. These exist to try to maintain the character of a building and ensure a mix of different tenure types.

One of the most significant changes has been the level of specialist expertise now embedded in the delivery of major works projects.

What does major works mean when it comes to lifts, and how do you tell whether your building needs a repair, a modernisation, or a full replacement?

While managing agents have legal responsibilities to meet, there is also an opportunity to explain the process in a way that builds understanding and trust.

On Friday 19 June 2026, The Property Institute (TPI) welcomed over 700 guests to the stunning Old Billingsgate in London for ACE Awards 2026.

By marrying Earl Kendrick’s engineering precision with Fixflo’s digital compliance engine, property managers can finally eliminate Section 20 anxiety.

Understanding the impact of arrears and the importance of dealing with them promptly and fairly is a vital part of successful block management.

The most cost-effective buildings are the ones that plan ahead; monitoring assets and dealing with problems before they become emergencies.

Effective reserve fund planning is one of the most important tools available for maintaining a well-run and financially stable block.

For many leaseholders and Resident Management Companies (RMCs), major works are viewed as an unavoidable expense.

The Renters’ Rights Act has introduced a new framework for private renting in England, with the aim of providing greater security for tenants.

One of the UK’s best-known landlord and tenant solicitors in the Private Rented Sector has joined Central London law firm Bishop & Sewell.

The problem we see is that in too many cases, the Planned Maintenance Programme is treated as a piece of paper rather than a practice.

The introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 has marked one of the most significant changes to residential building safety legislation.

What the UK’s move to fully digital landline services could mean for residential emergency call systems.

ALEP welcomes the Select Committee report into the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill but warns that leaseholders need clearer expectations.

In recent months, a recurring theme has emerged across the lift industry where lift projects are taking longer to get moving.

As of 1 May 2026, assured shorthold tenancies are expected to disappear from the private rented sector in England.

This guide sets out the criteria that genuinely distinguish the best property management software for managing agents from the rest.

In October 2024, workplace harassment law changed in a way that many businesses may still not fully appreciate.

The UK Lift industry has seen significant changes driven by advancements in building regulations, sustainability goals, and the need to enhance accessibility and safety standards.

JB Leitch provide an update on some significant cases which hold major implications for the property management sector.

The government’s draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, published in January 2026, is designed to reinvigorate commonhold and make it the default tenure for new flats.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has officially published the 4th edition of its Service Charge Residential Management Code, which came into effect on 7 April 2026.

Rejected Safety Cases, Building Safety Regulator (BSR) intervention and misapplied leaseholder protections are all real risks.

Legal updates and additional regulations have been brought in to improve safety and accountability, and to ensure building risks are better understood and managed.

The Act introduces significant changes that could affect how leaseholders manage costs, extend leases and gain greater control over their buildings.

The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 came into force on the 6th April 2026, introducing new duties for those responsible for certain blocks of flats.

Safety oversight, resident communication and compliance management are now central parts of running a residential block.

Over the last few years, expectations around transparency, communication and resident treatment in the leasehold sector have increased significantly.

Today, 13th May 2026, King Charles delivered the second King’s Speech of Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Government.

JMJ Asset Management is proud to announce that its Manging Director Jodie Fraser, has been shortlisted in two categories at the 2026 ACE Awards.

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 represents one of the most significant reforms to the private rented sector in decades.

Burnout is often treated as an inevitable byproduct of a high-pressure industry. However, as pressures continue to mount in the sector, a different picture emerges. 

By fostering awareness and practising small acts of kindness, we can all contribute to a more positive, human-centred environment across the buildings we manage and occupy.

Ultimately, design and management must work together. Homes should not simply provide accommodation but support the way people live.

Hybrid working was supposed to give us the best of both worlds: flexibility at home and connection in the office. For many people, though, it has quietly introduced a third experience, something in between that can feel surprisingly isolating.

Behind every building is a group of people, and the reality is that the decisions we make do not just affect structures, they affect daily lives.

By promoting awareness, providing support, and embedding well-being into workplace culture, the lift sector can rise to the challenge.

The Court of Appeal decision has made it clear that an RTM may enforce lease breaches through Section 168(4) of the 2002 Act.

Hosted by The Property People Presents the podcast brings together property professionals and industry voices for honest conversations about what the job really looks like.

Flat living comes with its own set of challenges, but it also offers opportunities to create a comfortable and supportive environment.

Protecting your own mental health is not only important for you, but also for the long-term success of the RMC.

A building that supports wellbeing is not only more pleasant to live in, but also easier to manage and more resilient over time.

Your RMC board could benefit from training that goes beyond the rules and regulations.

Alongside mortgage payments, there are service charges, reserve fund contributions and, at times, significant costs for major works.

Vengrove-backed Beyond Apartments & Aparthotels grows central London portfolio and advances pipeline across the UK.

A former church converted into a business and cultural centre and adjacent apartments in the heart of Brighton has come on the market with Watling Real Estate.

A new business venture, Chelsea in Devon, has officially launched, providing tailored coordination, marketing and administrative support services to property professionals across the sector.

For block management companies still weighing up whether AI is ready for real-world use, the evidence from those already using it is hard to ignore.

Bond Wolfe has been instructed to bring to market a potential residential conversion development opportunity in Wolverhampton.

The changes reflect LRG’s continued commitment to developing talent from within while ensuring the business is well positioned for its next phase of growth.

LRG has acquired Principia Estate and Asset Management, a specialist block management business operating across some of the most prestigious residential buildings in Prime Central London.

Clear governance, defined safety responsibilities and better-informed homeowners will all be essential to ensuring that commonhold can operate effectively.