Communal areas are the places that your residents and visitors see every day that represent the work you do for them.

Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) for high-rise blocks have been able to complete a Safety Case Report since October 2023.

Communal areas in residential buildings or community spaces, play a significant role in building a sense of belonging among residents.

JB Leitch look at recent case law to examine the issues surrounding internal space.

For residential blocks that provide their residents with parking, the installation and management of EV chargers is an inevitability.

Maximising outdoor spaces is a great way to add value to a residential block, attract new residents and boost current resident satisfaction.

To ensure compliance with insurance regulations and to reduce breakdowns, effective maintenance is essential.

Under UK law, there are specific legal obligations to ensure that communal areas are safe, accessible and properly insured.

The need for employers and public liability coverage, especially regarding private roads and gated communities.

If you own a leasehold property, you are usually responsible for maintaining the internal parts of your flat.

In this article, we (FirstPort) explore the common challenges and solutions involved in communal property management.

Whether this is within a residential building, or an office space, lifts often serve as crucial access points to the shared areas.

Communal areas and outdoor spaces are integral components of residential and commercial properties.

Many Management Liability Insurance include both Directors and Officers Liability Insurance and Corporate Liability Insurance in one policy wording.

Principle Estate Management to look after exclusive apartment blocks worth a total of more than £0.25 billion in central London.

Earl Kendrick is thrilled to welcome Dan Lane to the team as Associate Director and Head of EK Reinstatement Cost Assessment Ltd.

The publication of BS EN 81-76, which focuses on the evacuation of persons with disabilities using lifts, has been delayed.

The Building Safety Act overview and the requirements of your Building Assessment Certificate application.

Amid an ever-changing landscape for developers, it is now more important than ever to engage and work alongside property managers from the very outset of a project.

There have been notable decisions regarding what can be considered fatal to a claim for rights to manage.

The Government remains committed to dismantling what it terms “the feudal leasehold system” and making commonhold a viable alternative.

Nick Gazzard, CEO and Founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, has been awarded the prestigious Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Charley Noakes from Verto HR, provides an update on the 2025 employment law changes. 

As we start a brand-new year, compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022 remains a pressing concern for Principal Accountable Persons and their managing agents.

Future legislation is expected to pave the way for widespread adoption of commonhold, offering greater autonomy and fairness for property owners.

Disputes between leaseholders and between leaseholders and freeholders can quickly escalate into expensive and time consuming court battles.

An depth look at how the Act affects leaseholders, outlining key rights and responsibilities, the impact on property values and compliance timelines.

Mixed-use buildings combine residential and commercial spaces, making their needs and challenges unique.

For managing agents, the new laws have altered their licensing requirements, the way they charge and how they handle complaints from leaseholders.

A survey to capture the voice of women working in property has been launched with women from across the residential property sectors encouraged to contribute.

Commentary from Mark Chick, director of ALEP (Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners) and a Partner at Bishop & Sewell LLP.

Since the Grenfell tragedy over seven years ago, building safety has been at the forefront of change in our sector. To keep you informed and aligned with the latest health & safety standards, we’re proud to introduce our new and…

As we approach the end of the year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the developments and insights surrounding block management.

We have once again been asked for our predictions for 2025 for this month’s article in Flat Living magazine. However, before we do so, it is useful to reflect on 2024 and the challenges/successes faced by the lift industry.

All residential buildings over 11m in England already have a pathway to fix unsafe cladding which also protects residents from these costs.

Martin King, Managing Director of The FirstPort Group, looks at the top property trends set to influence the industry in 2025.

We’re always looking to improve the services we offer, and our Client Engagement Team is poised and ready to do just that. Our dedicated team are on hand for any and all queries and will also be scheduling regular in-person…

These are the biggest recurring tasks that you need to be aware of that might be due for your building this year.

Throughout 2024, BCH Ltd has observed continued pressure on the flats market, with leaseholders facing rising costs in most areas.

Looking ahead, we expect 2025 to be another year dominated by the need to help clients ensure compliance with the Building Safety Act.

As we look back at 2024, it has proven to be another eventful year for the property management sector.

We now have more of an idea of the timelines for the implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act (‘LFRA’).

Following the rushed Royal Assent of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, further controversy has arisen.

Here we will be recapping how the new landscape has shaped the insurance market, covering the Building Safety Act, EWS1 forms, fire safety and remediation works, as well as the effects of the “Golden Thread”.

Many of the changes made this year have put great emphasis on fairness, transparency and clarity for leaseholders.

Rising premiums have affected many, particularly those living in residential blocks with unresolved safety concerns.

Rising premiums, limited options for coverage, and complex regulations all create obstacles for property owners and leaseholders.

The Leasehold Reform Act 2022 came into force in June 2022 and has been pivotal, setting the stage for a broader shift in leasehold rights and policies.

The BIG NEWS though, is mandating qualifications for professionals and likely regulation of property management firms.

The Ringley Group has launched a new platform, Service Charge Sorted to offer an alternative to hefty block or estate management fees.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, which became law on 24 May 2024, is a long-awaited piece of legislation designed to make it easier and cheaper for leaseholders to extend their lease or purchase the freehold of their building.

If you’re involved with a RMC or RTM company, there will come a time when major lift works are necessary to avoid significant breakdowns…

Whether the failure to serve a claim notice to all landlords involved necessarily invalidates an RTM claim…

The Property Institute hosted its highly anticipated Annual Conference marking the first Conference under its unified TPI brand.

A step-by-step guide to help leaseholders navigate the process effectively, ensuring a smooth transition to right to manage.

When residents choose to take control of a block of flats, it is commonly done in one of two ways: Right to Manage or Enfranchisement.

How right to manage affects your building insurance and what leaseholders should consider when securing or changing their insurance policy.

How Right to Manage can be used to take control of service charges and how leaseholders can legally challenge excessive charges.

Applying for the Right to Manage your building can be a great way to take control of building maintenance and the related costs.

The Right to Manage can be an attractive option for leaseholders who want more control over what happens with their building.

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal in a landmark ruling in the case of A1 Properties (Sunderland) Ltd v Tudor Studios RTM Company Ltd [2024] UKSC 27 (‘the Appeal’).

With a growing number of consumer-led property management models, such as RMCs and RTMs, residents have more say in how their communities are being cared for.

EK Specialist Surveys, part of the Earl Kendrick Group, is proud to announce the launch of its new Leak Inspection & Identification Service (LIIS), a specialist service tailored to support property managers and those responsible for buildings affected by leaks…

Regular Fire Risk Assessments are an obvious legal responsibility for property managers, but do you know what level of assessment your building needs? The current regulations stipulate that risk assessments must be reviewed regularly, but little guidance is provided around…

Embarking on the journey to homeownership is an exciting milestone, especially for first-time buyers.

If done correctly, Right to Manage (RTM) can deliver several key benefits.

Guy Sackett to lead Irwin Mitchell’s National Real Estate Team and Garrath Reayer to lead Residential Property.

The FirstPort Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Jo Green as Director of Operational Excellence, effective immediately.

Jodie Fraser has been honoured with the prestigious title of “Property Personality of the Year” at the Insider South West Property Awards.

This week the Legal 500 rankings for 2025 were released, which sees JB Leitch hold its high position in Tier 3 for property litigation.

FirstPort has appointed Rocco Archidiacono as its new Head of Business Development to lead new business services and bolster client partnerships.

Mark Chick, Senior Partner and Joint Head of Landlord & Tenant at Bishop & Sewell considers the increase in disposals.

Regional Manager, Amir Khani discusses the key considerations when approaching more complex residential developments.

Maintenance and cleaning of vertical lifts are essential to ensure safety, comply with regulations and extend the life of the equipment.

Deciding who is responsible for cleaning mould and repairing any resultant damage depends on how the mould appeared in the first place.

It is essential that timeclocks controlling dusk-to-dawn lighting are updated to match the change in daylight hours.

As the colder months approach, it is essential for Resident Management Companies (RMCs) and leaseholders to implement a well-structured maintenance plan for their blocks of flats or apartments. Autumn and winter specific plans ensure the safety and comfort of residents…

Keeping on top of cleaning and general maintenance can go a long way to preserving or even increasing the value of a leasehold property.

If leaseholders and freeholders choose to neglect their maintenance or cleaning responsibilities then serious legal consequences may follow.

Ensuring compliance with lift insurance regulations, effective maintenance is essential to reducing breakdowns and avoiding accidents.

Proactively maintaining the cleanliness, decorative state, safety features and structural integrity of your building is crucial.

Understanding the implications of service charges, maintenance contracts, and QLTAs is critical for landlords to avoid legal disputes, meet their obligations under lease agreements, and maintain positive relationships with leaseholders.

How to communicate asbestos risks or lack thereof to avoid any accidental disturbances and to make sure that those living in the building are doing so as safely as possible.

There are a number of reasons why building owners may wish to carry out cleaning of the exterior masonry to their building.

Don’t miss out on The Property Institute (TPI) Annual Conference 2024, the must-attend event for property management professionals.

Cardinus Risk Management announces a announces new Building Safety Case Report Service as part of its property management software.

30 Seconds Group today announced the appointment of Dr Nigel Glen to their board as non-executive director.

Find out more about reinstatement cost assessments, how to make sure yours is correct, and how they’re utilised by the insurance industry.

There seems to be a lot of confusion between these two terms. We even hear them being used interchangeably- but they’re very different figures, used for very different purposes.

This article will explore the potential legal and financial implications that can arise if a property is damaged beyond repair.

The overall condition of a block, along with its planned maintenance and inspection schedule, play a crucial role in determining the coverage and premium of the required buildings insurance policy.

Here we’ll be discussing why, and how, to avoid the pitfalls of securing appropriate insurance coverage for your block.

How to put your strategy together; from deciding on means of communication to ensuring your strategy is suited to the needs of your block.

Michelle Lewis of FirstPort explores how trustworthiness manifests in property management and how we must nurture it.

Hiring a lift consultant can provide value to a building project, whether it is a new construction, modernisation, or maintenance of existing lift systems.

Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act question and answer By Mark Chick Director of ALEP, Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners.

With mixed-use developments, it’s vital to understand the effect any commercial units will have on the building’s overall insurance.

For leasehold flat owners, the decision to release equity can be particularly nuanced due to the characteristics of leasehold properties.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 represents a significant shift in the landscape of property ownership in the United Kingdom.

FirstPort has launched a new London Residential Real Estate team aimed at supporting resident-managed developments across the capital.