This month, our contributors unpack major works and service charges, from replacing unsafe cladding to the latest planning and consent changes affecting flats and apartments.

In the News!

  • Awaab’s Law — named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died in 2020 from prolonged exposure to mould in his social housing flat — came into force on 27 October 2025.
  • A new name has entered the property management space, but it comes backed by trusted experience and a clear vision. JMJ Asset Management officially launched this autumn, founded by industry professionals Jodie Fraser, Mark Briggs, and Jamie Treweke. The company is set to deliver asset management with a fresh perspective and one that blends professionalism with clarity, care, and long-term thinking.
  • ALEP (the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners) held its annual conference on 15 October, attracting more than 240 professionals from across the leasehold sector. The high attendance reflected the continued importance of leasehold reform to solicitors, valuers, managing agents and other professionals attending.

Featured Articles

Lighting has evolved rapidly over the past decade, yet many blocks and estates are still relying on older fluorescent systems. Learn more about lighting audits in the article brought to you by Future Group.

Major works are an inevitable part of maintaining a well-run block. Whether it’s roof replacement, façade repair, window renewal or fire safety upgrades, these projects are essential for the long-term health of the building. Learn more in the article from the team at Residentsline Insurance.

Fixflo’s Head of Sales for Block, Joe Goss MTPI, recently met with Adam Coombs MTPI Assoc RICS, founder of Coombs Property Consultancy, to deliver this guide to the basics of managing major works, drawing on their collective 35 years of experience.

Reactive Maintenance and Major Works, though they sit on opposite ends of the maintenance spectrum, they are both vital to keeping our buildings, infrastructure, and public spaces safe, functional, and future-proof. The team at Earl Kendrick Group explain more in their article.

Record-keeping is a key tool in assisting with the legal compliance of your building and ensuring that the building is documented for future management. The team at 4Site Consulting explain more in their article.

Giles Stratton, part of Bishop & Sewell’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution team provides an update on a case about qualifying leaseholders not being liable for replacing unsafe cladding.

When it comes to maintaining a block of flats, few topics create as much debate as major works and reserve funds. No one likes the idea of large service charge increases or disruptive building projects but doing nothing is often the most expensive choice a building can make. Learn more in the article from Jodie Fraser.

For this edition focusing on service charge and major works, the legal team at specialist property solicitors JB Leitch provide an update on some recent and relevant case successes and their significance.

The FirstPort Group has published its first Quarterly Service Update. Their article looks at what the latest report highlights and how this translates to our communication with customers, particularly around service charges.

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

The team at Manage Your Block outline some practical ways for directors to identify cost drivers, negotiate smarter contracts and improve efficiency to keep service charges fair and sustainable.

Over recent years, planning and leasehold law in England and Wales has shifted and staying on the right side of those changes is vital. The guide from London Flats Insurance explains the legal framework, recent reforms, practical challenges and provides examples of successful applications to help leaseholders understand their rights and responsibilities.

In their guide, the team at Block in a Box outlines what major works are, how the legal Section 20 consultation process operates and how RMC directors and their residents can engage effectively to ensure projects are well-managed, transparent, fair and compliant.

The article brought to you by Flat Living Insurance, explores why regular cleaning, maintenance and proactive management are essential for every apartment building, and how they link directly to financial sustainability and future major works planning.

Read all of these articles and more, in the latest edition of Flat Living Magazine.