Welcome back to our first issue of 2025 and Happy New Year! In recent years, our industry has experienced significant legislative updates which have shifted the way that we work. This month, our contributors explore these legal updates to offer deeper insights.

In the News!

  • Mark Chick, director of ALEP (Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners) and a Partner at Bishop & Sewell LLP makes his predictions for 2025.
  • The Property Institute Annual Seminar 2025 is back and better than ever! With a brand-new look, this unifying event is your chance to gain valuable learning opportunities and connect with a growing community of driven industry professionals.
  • Earl Kendrick is thrilled to welcome Dan Lane to the team as Associate Director and Head of EK Reinstatement Cost Assessment Ltd.

Featured Articles

Nick Gazzard, CEO and Founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, who has been awarded the prestigious Order of the British Empire (OBE) in His Majesty The King’s New Year’s Honours List, talks more about his work in his article.

Rocco Archidiacono, Head of Business Development at The FirstPort Group, explains how developers are seeking the expertise of specialist property managers from build to handover and beyond.

Compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022) remains a pressing concern for Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) and their managing agents; the team at EarlKendrick Group look closer into this subject.

The team at Bishop and Sewell provide some insight into what to expect in the world of leasehold reform in 2025.

The Technical & Complex Litigation team at JB Leitch examine a recent case that highlights what can be considered fatal to a claim for rights to manage.

The team at 4Site Consulting recap some of the key information they have shared in 2024, such as an overview of the Building Safety Act, the requirements of your Building Assessment Certificate application and what to do if your application isn’t accepted on the first try.

The publication of BS EN 81-76, which focuses on the evacuation of persons with disabilities using lifts, has been delayed – read more in the article from Ardent Lift Consultancy.

Charley Noakes from Verto HR, provides an update on the 2025 employment law changes. The changes are poised to significantly impact all sectors but will require Block Managers employing staff to make strategic adjustments and approach TUPE cautiously.

The team at Residentsline explain the difference between leasehold and freehold ownership, how the two styles of home ownership came about and the pros and cons of leasehold ownership in 2024.

In the article from London Flats Insurance, you can get an in depth look at how the Act affects leaseholders, outlining key rights and responsibilities, the impact on property values and compliance timelines.

For managing agents, the new laws have altered their licensing requirements, the way they charge and how they handle complaints from leaseholders. The team at Manage Your Block explain these changes and highlight relevant legal cases heard in 2024.

Disputes between leaseholders and between leaseholders and freeholders can quickly escalate into expensive and time consuming court battles. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) offers a practical, efficient and often a less stressful way to resolve conflict. Learn more in the article brought to you by Block in a Box.

Mixed-use buildings combine residential and commercial spaces, making their needs and challenges unique. Depending on the sort of commercial activity, number of residents, expected footfall etc, each building will require different maintenance plans and approaches to service charges. The team at Flat Living Insurance tell us more in their article.

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.