Featured
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.
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.
