As this year comes to an end, our contributors provide a summary of 2024 and share their insights into what our industry might anticipate in the coming year.

In the News!

  • 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 improved Guidance Notes: Section B— your trusted, expert-curated resource for up-to-date advice and best practices.
  • All residential buildings over 11m in England already have a pathway to fix unsafe cladding which also protects residents from these costs.
  • Ahead of the BBC’s ‘Leasehold Day’ tomorrow, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP has issued a statement on leasehold reform, including ‘at minimum’ mandating qualifications for property managers and likely regulation of managing agent firms. TPI urges every member to read the entire statement in detail.
  • Following the rushed Royal Assent of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, further controversy has arisen. In the King’s Speech on 17th July, the new Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill was announced, but the full details of the Bill have yet to be released.
  • The Ringley Group has launched a new platform, Service Charge Sorted, created to shake up the market and offer an alternative to hefty block or estate management fees.

Featured Articles

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. The team at Block in a Box provide some tips on keeping your home safe whilst you’re away for Christmas.

Read more about 4Site Consulting‘s newly formed Client Engagement Team; who they are and what they will be doing to ensure you receive the very best service from 4site.

In their article, Barrett Corp Harrington discuss the importance of correct insurance valuation for flats.

As 2025 approaches, one of the best ways that property managers can prepare for the year ahead is by taking stock of all the assessments, certifications and other statutory tasks that must be done for the buildings they are responsible for and making a plan to proactively handle them before deadlines creep up. Find out more in the article by Joe Goss MTPI of FixFlo.

As we approach the colder months, it’s time for flat owners to shift their focus to winter preparations. Concerns about heating, potential leaks, and dampness become top priorities. To ensure you’re ready, the team at Residentsline Flats Insurance provide a reminder of proactive steps you can take to safeguard your flat during the winter season.

Mark Chick, Partner and Head of the Landlord & Tenant team at law firm Bishop & Sewell, looks at The Human Rights Challenges Against Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to be heard in January.

While the Building Safety Act was passed in 2022 and largely came into effect the following year, it has taken time for its full implications to become clear. Over the course of 2024, we’ve seen it become a primary focus for our clients. Learn more from the team at EarlKendrick Group.

The team at Ardent Lift Consultancy give their UK Lift Industry predictions for 2025.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, 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. The team at London Flats Insurance outline some of the dangers and reminding readers of the ways you can reduce risk to your residents and staff this year.

The team at specialist property solicitors JB Leitch reflect on 2024 and indicate key points to note for 2025.

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

Halloween is done and Christmas is on the horizon. Decorating your home is exciting, but safety needs to remain the focus – especially if you’re managing a property and will be decorating common areas. Find out more from the article by Block in a Box.

As we approach the end of the year, the team at Fraser Allen Estate Management think it’s a perfect time to reflect on the developments and insights surrounding block management, particularly in light of recent discussions about leasehold reforms.

The team at Residentsline Flats Insurance recap how the new Building Safety Act 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”.

2024 has been a big year for the insurance industry. With so many regulatory and legal updates affecting the leasehold sector, insurers for residential blocks have been kept on their toes. Learn more in the article by London Flats Insurance.

The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 came into force in June 2022 and has been pivotal to these changes, setting the stage for a broader shift in leasehold rights and policies. In their article, the team at Manage Your Block cover the Act and the reforms that followed, also touching on significant 2024 court cases that have impacted leasehold disputes.

The team at Block in a Box explore the factors driving the increases building insurance premiums and how these changes are affecting leaseholders’ finances during a cost-of-living crisis.

In their article, Flat Living Insurance explores the current difficulties, the progress made so far regarding cladding remediation and government-backed interventions, and the outlook for 2025.

Katrina Jones from Residentsline, investigates the importance of Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance for your Residents’ Management Company and outlines possible claim examples.

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