A prominent Black Country office (Kingston House) building investment opportunity with the potential for residential conversion, subject to planning permission, has been brought to the market by agents Bond Wolfe with a price tag of £3,375,000. Kingston House is a…

Birmingham-based MetroPM has been appointed to manage a mixed-use development in the Jewellery Quarter. The new appointment is to manage the historic The Million Pen Building which now houses 21 luxury apartments and four commercial units. “Million Pen is a…

Haringey residents are set to benefit from 272 council homes in Tottenham Hale on the Ashley Road Depot site. With additional funding from the Greater London Authority, the initial proposal to build 136 council homes has now risen. to provide…

Co-living brand FOLK opens third site in twelve months following outstanding uptake at Harrow and Earlsfield Folk (www.folkcoliving.com), the co-living brand on a mission to set a new standard for renting, is launching its third site in the capital, Florence…

How Manage Your Block can help you maintain your block, while also helping you to keep on top of your duties as a sole director.

How the Act affects existing and new leaseholders, and what to expect in terms of further legislation updates in the months to come.

Recently there has been much discussion around changes to the leasehold sector, and whether they spell the end of leasehold altogether.

2023 is a tricky but hopeful year for leaseholders. What does lease extension entail and how Michael Gove’s proposals may affect the sector.

Every property in the UK that has a lift has a responsibility to ensure that the lift is maintained and safe for continued use.

Colin Stokes, MD of Adiuvo, shares a case study of a recent single emergency and what was involved in managing it.

As a resident within a block of flats in the UK, it’s crucial to have a plan in place in case of an emergency. One of the most critical decisions to be made is whether to stay put or evacuate.

Partnering with B-hive Block Management Partners can give you the piece of mind that you need for the ever changing legislative landscape!

At a recent Board Meeting of The Property Institute (TPI), it was agreed that Dr Nigel Glen would stand down as Executive Chair.

Here we’ll be detailing the new responsibilities as well as providing a reminder of the other vital safety measures that should be in place to ensure the wellbeing of your residents and the security of their investments when it comes to fire safety.

To be a successful block management professional needs a variety of skills. No day is the same and each role is varied!

The requirements for Firefighting and Evacuation lifts and an overview of operational functions when being used in an emergency situation.

Katie Orr summarises the first decision, including the key elements and implications of the new legislation.

The role of Property Manager or Residents’ Management Company (RMC) Director is a varied one, but at the top of a long list of responsibilities you’ll find ‘health and safety compliance’. The safety of your residents and their investment is…

Health and Safety is a top priority for any Property Manager or Residents’ Management Company (RMC) Director.

We have talked, in previous articles about the future of both repairs and customer service but how will specifically AI aid this? Colin Stokes, MD of Adiuvo takes a look (NOTE: we would like to draw your attention to the…

‘What are the risks of charging points for electric cars’ particularly in underground car parks of residential blocks of flats?

EK McQuade will be able to offer a full range of natural light services in addition to dealing with Party Wall matters. 

In recent news appearances and his written response to the Financial Conduct Authority’s recent review into the multi-occupancy property insurance market in January 2023, The Secretary of State for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, has referred to many…

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove has reignited discussions around potential Leasehold reform for 2023. Speaking in televised interviews and via a written response to the Financial Conduct Authority’s recent review into the market…

With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis affecting us all, Leaseholders are facing an additional drain on their finances. Service Charge demands will have been rising for most since the beginning of last year due to a multitude of economic and political…

Service charge disputes can be very challenging for property managers and landlords to deal with – something to avoid if at all possible.

FirstPort – the UK’s leading property management company – has opened its first office in Leicester in a move set to bolster recruitment in the region. The new office is located at Regus St George’s House in Leicester city centre,…

Compassionate management involves a focus on relationships through careful listening to, understanding, empathising with and supporting other people, enabling those we work with to feel valued, respected and cared for. How do Fraser Allen manage compassionately? We empathise with our…

Let us introduce you to B-hive, the trusted, credible, and capable partner that manages complexity on your behalf, leaving you free to nurture client relationships and explore new opportunities.

Survey now open! Findings from this survey will form the basis of the annual ARMA and IRPM Industry Wellbeing Survey Report 2023.

Well planned and executed maintenance is the bedrock of property management. It leads to greater control over service charges, reduced likelihood of serious maintenance issues arising and a greater sense of value for your leaseholders. Obviously, the upkeep of your…

This article considers the position where a landlord has missed a deadline relating to service of an interim demand and wishes to know whether late compliance is sufficient.

Gareth Lomax, Director at Ardent Lift Consultancy, talks about the different services required for lifts. With this month’s edition of Flat-Living looking at the various services installed within blocks, we thought we would look at those directly impacting on lifts. Power…

Urbanite Living has secured planning consent, subject to conditions, to develop the former Yorkshire Post site in Leeds and deliver one of the city center’s largest new residential and student living scheme. The Leeds based developer plans to build three…

Property managers pressured to keep service charges down, even as the costs of maintaining their buildings are exponentially increasing.

A focused approach to this service charge period can pay dividends for busy property managers, and now is the perfect time to get organised.

Colin Stokes, MD Of Adiuvo, the UK’s largest out of hours call handler for the Property Industry, reviews his favourite calls of last year.

Laurent Vaughan, a Senior Associate in Bishop & Sewell’s Landlord & Tenant team, considers service charges and the need for leasehold reform. The Government focused on onerous ground rents last year when it introduced legislation which would effectively put an…

The risks of asbestos exposure for contractors and the importance of being aware of and maintaining fire compartmentation in your building.

Katie Orr of JB Leitch, draws together and summarises the most notable official updates with regard to building safety.

Principle Estate Management helps to prevent fire risks, rats and other safety issues in Birmingham City Centre.

Eleven fully let apartments in Birmingham city centre have come on to the market with Bond Wolfe for offers based on £2.4 million.

This article seeks to discuss the possible direction and future of leasehold in the context of the changing leasehold climate. The Practitioners View It is difficult for legal practitioners to advise leaseholder clients on their best way forward when considering…

Camilla Waszek, Senior Associate for JB Leitch, talks about how it’s sensible to review the requirements for communal lighting.

An award-winning property management solicitor has been granted a prestigious fellowship which recognises her exceptional contribution to the industry. Leasehold specialist Cassandra Zanelli now holds Fellow membership status at The Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM), which is the recognised…

Manage Your Block features can be utilised to make sure you’re meeting your responsibilities when it comes to communal areas and facilities.

For resident leaseholders in a block of flats, the lifts in the building can hold varying importance. For some, they’re a welcome convenience. For others, a lifeline. For everyone using a lift, a lot of trust is placed in the managers of the block of flats.

Here we’ll be explaining what can cause damp, how to avoid it and what your freeholder should be doing to help if the issue is structural.

Now is a great time to get organised and book in the contractors you need to make sure your residents can enjoy everything their block has to offer when the sun starts peeking through again.

With all of the insurance requirements entrusted to Property Managers and Residents’ Management Companies, it can be easy to overlook the communal areas of your estate.

If you have outbuildings, grounds, private roads or if you’re looking after a gated estate, you’ll need to make sure that everything within your remit is covered.

Here’s we’ll be explaining how Residentsline can help make sure you’ve got all your bases covered.

We have summarised the announcements, many of which The Property Institute (TPI) has been forward-signalling and keeping its members updated on in recent months.

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities made an announcement earlier today on the progress of the negotiations with industry regarding the funding of building safety repairs, and on actions being taken to provide relief from high building insurance premiums.

The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) has responded to comments made by Michael Gove.

Two drones have been purchased by Principle Estate Management to help provide more detailed and cost-efficient building surveys for the properties it looks after.

Fraser Allen Estate Management are sponsoring an International Women’s Day Afternoon Tea & Networking Event on Wednesday 8th March.

As the days become longer and the sun shines brighter, this spring may be the time that you realise how dark, dated or tired your internal common areas have become.

As the CEO of a business that manages 3,000 developments, I appreciate arguments around failings of leasehold.

Independent experts, Ardent Lift Consultancy, assist with measured, professional advice on the “must haves” along with the specific performance of equipment and contractors alike.

As customer preferences change and technology makes astounding leaps what will customer service look like in the next few years?

Directors of a premium collection of 146 homes on an unusual river island setting in Cambridgeshire have praised Principle Estate Management for its swift start in looking after its properties.

Expanding property management firm MetroPM has appointed the twin daughters of one of its directors as new apprentices. Bella Smallman will be working with the property team at MetroPM, which has offices in Birmingham and Cheltenham, while Lilli Smallman will…

A major resurfacing project has been successfully completed around an apartment block in Solihull looked after by Principle Estate Management.

How to approach arrears with your leaseholders to keep cash flow moving to ensure your budget and maintenance plan can be relied on.

As electric vehicles become more common, block managers should be thinking of adding EV charging stations to their facilities.

If you’re responsible for managing a block of flats, one of the key aspects of your role is to manage and maintain the facilities within the block, for example: lifts, emergency lighting, and automated gates.

By Chris Stansell MRICS MAPM, Managing Director, Earl Kendrick London In our many roles as project and building consultants for residential property managers, one thing our surveyors have all noticed is a lack of focus on longer-term, proactive maintenance, particularly…

January can be difficult after the Christmas festivities, and it can often leave people feeling tired and sluggish.

Ensuring that Your IT & Digital Security Providers Bring Resilience & Rigour to Protecting Your Business Systems

Colin Stokes, MD of Adiuvo talks about options available when providing an Out of Hours Service and what those who provide should be aware of.

The lift contractor chosen to maintain your lift could be based on the expertise of the company, or an individual who is familiar with products installed within your property.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry found that the fire doors in the building didn’t work. This was due to disrepair or damage. The Phase 1 report noted that “Fire doors play an essential role in preventing or inhibiting the spread of…

With the rising popularity of electric scooters and bikes, especially in urban settings, property managers need to make sure their insurance is sufficient to cover the fire risks that are becoming increasingly apparent. The London Fire Brigade attended over 70…

With the new year comes the chance for a fresh start- and that includes making the most of your grounds or outside space.

Dozens of luxury apartments in a converted Solihull office block are attracting heightened interest after the recent mini-budget raised Stamp Duty thresholds, according to estate agent DM & Co. Homes. The collection of 32 residences in Warwick House, near the…

In this article we provide an overview of some of the key points to consider from the BSA in relation to service charge recovery and, specifically, when service charge is not payable due to the BSA.

Thermal Imaging has many applications in the property sector, including heat loss, moisture detection and electrical inspection. It provides a quick, non-intrusive solution for problems that involve heat generation and transfer.

It’s been a hell of a year here at Fraser Allen Estate Management. So much has been good and positive yet one cannot ignore the less than positive moments as well.

As many of us make our way across the country to join family and friends this festive season, thousands of homes will be left unattended. While the risk remains low, this does leave them open to fires, burst pipes and burglary.

Luckily there are many easy steps you can take before heading out the door that will reduce your risk and give you greater peace of mind; allowing you to focus on the task of celebrating and making happy memories.

One of the major perks of utilising Manage Your Block’s software is being able to organise and safely store your documentation. This includes leases, policies, procedures, inspection reports, insurance policies, works orders, receipts, invoices, service charge demands- the list goes on.

As the New Year approaches, now could be a great time to get on top of your paperwork so you’re ready to hit the ground running in January. Head into 2023 with organised, up to date records and a diary full of useful reminders so you don’t get caught out- here’s a checklist to help.

With policy renewal season just round the corner, we thought a reminder of the factors that influence your insurance premiums may be a good idea.

With a squeeze on budgets and the need to keep service charges to a minimum for struggling residents, property managers may well be considering their options for reducing this large expense.

Read on to find out how you can make sure you’re not paying over the odds, without underinsuring the building and putting anyone at risk.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year for millions of families, but safety must stay front of mind when decorating your home.

Christmas trees, lights and extensions leads can all pose serious risks if not handled correctly.

Here we’ll be outlining some of the danger points and reminding our readers of the easy ways you can reduce the risk to your residents and staff this year.

It’s no secret that prices are going up.

From food basics to fuel to clothing; everyone is feeling the effects of inflation. Insurance companies are not immune to the situation either, and that unfortunately means that premiums are creeping up and up in many cases.

Here we’ll be explaining what is causing the price hikes as well as what you can do as a consumer to make sure you’re not paying over the odds.

One in three over-55s would consider having a housemate in later life to save money and avoid living alone, according to new research into the future of retirement living.

If you’re a long-leaseholder, it is important to understand what your lease terms mean.

This article highlights the top 7 Things Find When You Read Your Lease – and why those things are important to understand. By understanding your lease, you can help to make sure that your leaseholder experience is a positive one.

Managing Director of Adiuvo looks into his crystal ball to predict what the Property Sector will see in 2023.

Another property manager has chosen to partner with B-hive for her new business, Domain Property Management.

Uk’s Leading Property Manager Joins Race to Zero with New Environmental strategy partnership

Airspace development has hit the headlines recently, with huge potential to unlock new housing above existing buildings.

FirstPort is offering leadership development programmes for colleagues, investing in future leaders.

Legislation introduced in June 2022 is focused on helping move England forward when it comes to obtaining an EV charging infrastructure.

When carried out successfully, retrofit works can result in a reduction in energy usage and therefore energy bills.

Halloween is done and Christmas is on the horizon. Millions of us will soon be digging out the box of decorations in the attic, or heading to the shops to pick out a whole new theme for this year’s tree.…

Author: Jacy Donoghue, Trainee Solicitor JB Leitch Real Estate As leaseholders are subject to service charges, freehold property owners can also be subject to charges for the cost of maintaining communal areas and facilities. In this article, Jacy Donoghue of…

We’ve been working hard here at Manage Your Block to update our website and improve the information available to new customers.

We hope you enjoy the new website design and find it easier to locate the information you need. Here are some of the key updates:

The cost-of-living crisis is affecting us all, but some of those hardest hit will be the younger generations and those trying to move house in the current climate.

We all know about the usual policies needed to protect your block: Buildings Insurance, Directors and Officers Liability (if you’re an RMC) and specialist cover for features such as lifts and swimming pools etc. But have you protected your building and it’s residents against the unexpected?

Here’s we’ll detail the London Flats Insurance policies that are too often left on the “it’ll probably never happen” pile, which can sometimes lead to huge financial outlays when these rare incidents do occur.

Winter appears to be in full swing already- a bit of a shock after the heatwave we experienced this summer! As temperatures drop and the ‘big’ coats come out of storage, it’s time to make sure your block and your residents are prepared for the months ahead.

Retirement is a time when many Brits look to relocate for a change of scenery in towns and villages that may not have been as convenient to live in while raising a family or working full time.

As more of us look at ways to reduce electricity and gas consumption in our homes, property management company FirstPort has been checking in with its developments to reveal some resident-led changes being made.

Managing a block of flats or an estate can be looked at as ‘just a building’ or ‘just a communal area’

But it’s more than that.  It is someone’s home.  It is their safe space and where they feel most comfortable.