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.

The Ringley Group’s Una (www.una.co) achieves 17% rent premium during lease up at The Station Quarter Apartments in Corby, UK.

The main legislation relating to major works is Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

Internal redecorations are essential not just for aesthetic enhancement but for maintaining and increasing property value.

Many leaseholders are experiencing substantial increases in the service charges demanded by their landlord.

Major works can come with frustrations for landlords, managing agents and leaseholders. In the worst cases, major works are unpredictable.

Gareth Lomax offers some expert advice on how to undertake a major works project of your lift.

Brady Solicitors announce Emma Wilson as the new Chief Commercial Officer and Jonathan Whittle as the new Technical Head of Arrears.

Navigating leasehold properties can feel like a daunting task, especially when it comes to major works and service charges.

For flat owners and RMCs, effective planning and budgeting for major works projects involve a combination of financial prudence, legal compliance and clear communication.

As leaseholders, you need the assurance that major works are necessary, being carried out by suitable professionals, and for a fair price.

If you receive a service charge statement that you believe to be unjust, or if you think the works you’re being charged for were not carried out to the correct standard, there are steps you can take to challenge your landlord and potentially reduce the costs.

Leasehold reform has been a significant topic of discussion in recent years. One notable area of discussion has been the potential impact of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 on service charges for leaseholders in the UK.

Leaseholders must have their say in any major works via the Section 20 process. But how much do leaseholders know about the implications of major works on their insurance?

Diaz gives her insight into the key duties of a Property Manager and the value that she and her team add to resident-managed developments.

Principle has announced the completion of major works at a highly prestigious London development administered by the firm’s London office.

4site make things clear by discussing the different types of Asbestos surveys available, when they should be utilised and why.

B-hive Block Management Partners, part of the Vegner Group are delighted to now be powering over 100 businesses.

In a daring and heartfelt tribute, Jodie Fraser will perform a wing walk to raise vital funds for the charity.

Section 91 of Part 4 of the BSA 2022 places a duty on the PAP to produce a resident engagement strategy, and to implement it.

The UK Government has announced that the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles funding for electric vehicle chargers will end the 31st March 2025.

Property managers play a crucial role in overseeing and maintaining the safety of the properties under their care.

An Important Building Safety Case Which Provides a New Process for Determining Service Charges Payable Under Leaseholder Protections Recently the Upper Tribunal provided a notable decision relating to leaseholder protections in Schedule 8 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA…

THE ACE AWARDS 2024 The 2024 ACE Awards winners were unveiled at a spectacular event held at Old Billingsgate in London on Friday, 21st June. Set against the stunning backdrop of the River Thames, this year’s theme transported attendees back…

The considerations that must be taken to ensure buildings follow the new safety regulations and the challenges involved.   

What should be included in your asbestos management plan and how you should be keeping it up to date for the sake of safety and compliance.

Adhering to standards, the safety of building occupants and the efficiency of firefighting operations can be significantly improved.

Comment from the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) By Mark Wilson Director of Myleasehold The 4.9 million residential leases in England and Wales now face significant change following the enactment of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill. The legislation…

Leading property management services provider announces a low-cost, alternative route to a compliant Fire Risk Appraisal of the External Walls (FRAEW) for low-rise buildings.

Exploring the key health and safety considerations that are essential for executing major work for blocks of flats and apartment complexes.

With so many changes to leasehold law in recent years, we wanted to provide a succinct round up of the current pipeline for 2024 and beyond. The stricter regulations laid out in the Building Safety Act are focussed on enhanced…

As a critical component of maintaining safety in blocks of flats, fire risk assessments help to identify and rectify any potential fire hazards. They ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place and that both the residents and the property…

Leaseholders have been stitched up for years by freeholders, landlords and property managing agents who have demanded a cut from the insurances they arrange via brokers as a cost to play. 

Block-living can provide a great sense of community, but with so many people living in close proximity, emergencies can unfortunately be disastrous. Emergencies usually happen without warning. Fires, floods, power outages and natural disasters are just a few examples. In…

The Importance of Regular Maintenance for Health and Safety in Blocks of Flats and the Impact on Insurance Regular and effective maintenance is the cornerstone of great property management. It is imperative for the sake of health and safety, investment…

TPI stands in solidarity with the survivors and the Grenfell community, who continue to seek justice, and we urge the next Government to get on with remediating unsafe buildings.

Defects in design, faulty installation or the use of inappropriate or inadequate materials when building a property can lead to significant problems later on.

The preservation and maintenance of these buildings require balance between conserving historic value and adapting them for contemporary use.

Renovating a historic, listed building can be tricky. Architects and the craftspeople involved have a lot to consider. Allowable materials, construction techniques, sustainability and aesthetics all come into play. Advancing technology and innovative solutions are starting to ease the burden…

We revisit classic designs of lift through the ages, as many of the designs can still be seen in our major cities today.

Owning such a property comes with its set of responsibilities, especially within the framework of managed leasehold properties

Guidance for owners including documentation requirements, the loss assessment process, and handling claim settlement negotiations.

Owning or managing a listed building involves not only the joy of preserving a piece of history but also the challenge of preventing loss and damage.

Here we’ll be explaining what information you’ll need to gather for your broker and what to look out for in a potential policy.

Known as the “Hound of Holborn” to the property community, Charlie Davidson is a Senior Associate in Bishop & Sewell LLP’s highly regarded residential property team. He deals with a wide range of legal matters involving complex and/or high value…

Maintaining and renovating these buildings come with a unique set of challenges for property owners and developers.

As Future Group celebrates its 10-year anniversary, we extend our deepest gratitude to all those who have been part of our journey.

Since the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 came into force, Duty Holders of multi-occupancy buildings have been responsible for reducing the risks of exposure. This responsibility usually falls to the Property Manager or Landlord of the building. For many Duty…

This partnership will bring greater visibility to the Trust’s vital work and help generate support for its critical initiatives.

For Resident Management Companies (RMCs) and Right to Manage (RTM) companies, it’s crucial to find the right property manager who can work collaboratively with Resident Directors to meet a building’s unique needs. At FirstPort, we look after buildings of all…

The road ahead following the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill was first introduced in the commons on 27 November 2023. Whilst it was making fairly swift progress through parliament, when the election was…

Comments from Scott Goldstein, Partner at Payne Hicks Beach: ‘Politically, the Government’s failure to end no fault evictions is unlikely to do it any favours with younger voters and the renters community more generally – groups it probably should be…

Mark Chick of Bishop & Sewell on FAQ’s. The 2024 Act made it onto the statute books on 24th May 2024, just two days after the election announcement and as the final session of this parliament was brought to a…

The Prime Minister’s unexpected announcement of a general election to take place on 4July 2024 caused parliament to conduct a final flurry of business in the run up to lastweek’s bank holiday weekend. Late on Friday 24th May, the Leasehold…

Commentary by Mark Chick – director of ALEP (Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners) “ALEP has long been at the forefront of campaigning for change in the residential leasehold sector and right back from its beginnings just over 16 years ago,…

Grand, old manor houses sit proud in the countryside. Impressive, architectural landmarks from bygone eras stand tall, wedged in busy cityscapes. Even in modern day housing developments you can find listed buildings with their heritage woven into the local community.…