Industry Trends & Updates: Build-to-Rent, Co-Living, & More

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Should you move or improve?

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Managing a Property Can Be a Happy Experience!

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Be sure you're not talking just rubbish about bin disposals

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Around the houses - Simple tips to make that vital first impression when selling your home

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Articles

Get rid of your freeholder and choose a managing agent or should we self-manage?

When considering how to manage a property, you generally have three options: self-manage, hire a managing agent, or choose a pay-as-you-go management package. Each has its own set of benefits and risks. Self-managing is often chosen to cut costs, while hiring a manag...

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Beyond Enfranchisement.

After enfranchisement, there are four key issues to manage: extending leases, releasing asset value, distributing proceeds, and reviewing service contracts.

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Service Charge Nightmares

Small blocks of flats often face difficulties in collecting service charges, especially if the leases were created decades ago, when it was common for the freeholder to handle the bills and recover costs later. The issues with old leases can complicate the process, a...

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Dealing with Pigeons as a Pest

Why pigeons are considered a nuisanceHealth risks and hazards associated with pigeon infestations

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Has the market turned on extending your lease?

The deferment rate plays a significant role in lease extension valuations. It is the investment multiplier applied to the future value of the property once the lease has expired. In 2005, the Aribib case set new standards, suggesting that a deferment rate of 4.75% fo...

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Who puts the bin out?

For those living in residential blocks, managing refuse bins can be a tricky issue. It’s often seen as a grey area where responsibilities aren’t always clear. Understanding the rules surrounding refuse bin placement and management is essential for smooth operations.

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Get rid of your Freeholder - It's all in the management

A tri-party lease includes the freeholder, management company, and lessees. Lessees have a role in managing the estate, but freeholders still handle ground rent and insurance.

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Understanding who is liable for repairs in residential block

When living in a residential block, repair responsibilities can be complicated. The key to determining who is responsible lies in understanding the lease agreement. Accepting repairs that should be the leaseholder's responsibility as a service charge item is unfair t...

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Housing downturn reduces prices of lease extensions

As housing prices fall, leaseholders can benefit from reduced costs when extending their lease. The value of your property plays a key role in the valuation process for lease extensions, making this an ideal time to act.

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Make the most of it

Mary-Anne Bowring, Managing Director of Ringley, one of London's leading Managing Agents, and a Governor for the Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM) advises making the most of the economic downturn by adding value to a leasehold property. With propert...

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Around the houses - We look at the problems encountered when trying to sell a flat

When selling a flat, the behavior of neighbors can significantly influence potential buyers. In shared blocks, noise and other disturbances from neighbors can either enhance or derail a sale, especially when the flat is located in a community setting.

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Holding Firm Mary-Anne Bowring unravels the jargon behind buying a leasehold property

Around two million people in the UK don’t actually own their property outright. Instead, they purchase the right to occupy their homes as lessees. If you’re planning to buy a flat, especially in a city, it’s almost certain that you’ll be buying a leasehold property. ...

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Should you move or improve?

The rise in property values across all housing types since 2000 has led to an increasing gap between smaller and larger properties. As this gap widens, moving to a larger home has become less affordable, making it financially smarter to consider improving your curren...

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Managing a Property Can Be a Happy Experience!

Mary Anne Bowring, a qualified chartered surveyor and managing director of Ringley Chartered Surveyors, believes that managing property can be a fulfilling and happy experience. With her expertise and experience in the property industry, she has turned Ringley into a...

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Be sure you're not talking just rubbish about bin disposals

An overview of why refuse bins are a grey area for residents in residential blocks, including the significance of waste management and local authority regulations.

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Around the houses - Simple tips to make that vital first impression when selling your home

When selling your home, first impressions are everything. Potential buyers often make up their minds within the first few minutes of entering a property. Here are some tips to ensure your home gives the best possible first impression:Declutter: Clear away personal it...

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Leaseholders not inspired to manage homes

A survey at the Ideal Home Exhibition revealed that only 12% of leaseholders self-manage their properties, with 78% aware of the right to manage but unsure of the benefits or how to claim it.

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An Interview with an Award-Winning Property Management Company

Mary-Anne Bowring discusses how the recession has impacted the property management industry, with developers shifting from building apartments to houses and new entrants diversifying into service charge management.

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Faces in the news - January 2011

In the property industry, enfranchisement is a key process that empowers leaseholders to take control of their building’s management. But beyond enfranchisement, there’s a wealth of other exciting developments and recognition within the sector. Let’s take a closer lo...

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The price for pre-application advice is likely to rocket, but Mr Flatie can cut the cost of crazy leaseholders

The price for pre-application advice from councils has skyrocketed, with the average charge now around £2,000 for developers seeking planning permission. This significant increase follows the Local Government Act of 2003, which allowed councils to charge for this ser...

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Ringley Expose A Flaw In Valuations

Ringley reveals a significant flaw in property valuations, emphasizing that aggregating the individual values of units within a property does not reflect the true market or investment value. This approach could mislead both investors and lenders.

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Ask the experts (Property Square)

Managing a block of flats comes with various challenges, especially when residents default on service charge payments. A recent query from a self-managed block raised concerns about legal action and its potential costs.

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Buying your freehold

Overview of the benefits of buying the freehold, with a focus on the long-term advantages.

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The Prior Approvals Process & Permitted Development Right

The new legislation introduced in May 2013 brought significant changes to the Permitted Development Right, allowing certain types of development without the need for full planning permission. The Prior Approval process determines if these developments can proceed.

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Budget 2020:what Rishi Sunak’s announcement means for housing — from stamp duty hikes to cladding removal fund

The Chancellor introduces a stamp duty surcharge for non-residents and outlines funding for new homes for homeless people.

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Ringley launches white label co-working platform Busy Living - Property Week

The new platform is designed to manage flexible office spaces with advanced features like facial recognition and cashless payments.

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Ringley unveils new system for commercial and resi buildings

Ringley, a leading residential property consultancy, has introduced Busy Living, a groundbreaking operational management platform aimed at transforming the way property owners monetize their real estate. Whether for commercial or residential buildings, the software h...

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‘Rent cancellation a raid on people’s pension pots’

In recent weeks, the discussion surrounding rent cancellation has gained significant attention, with over 4,000 Labour party members signing an open letter supporting it. This policy proposal is part of Labour’s broader five-point plan to ease the financial strain on...

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Rooftop planning deregulation will increase costs for leaseholders wanting to buy freehold

New planning reforms will increase the cost for leaseholders seeking to buy the freehold of their building, with experts advising immediate action.

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Ringley Group launches automated lettings platform PlanetRent Information Age

Ringley Group has launched PlanetRent, an automated lettings platform aimed at simplifying the rental process for landlords, agents, and tenants. By reducing administrative work and improving governance, the platform aims to streamline the rental experience while pre...

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New automated lettings platform allows smaller agents to become 'mini-Foxtons' by automating admin

The property lettings industry is evolving, and agents need tools that help streamline their work. PlanetRent, developed by the Ringley Group, is an innovative automated lettings platform that enables agents to save both time and money. By consolidating all essential...

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PlanetRent to offer virtual tours via partnership

PlanetRent, a leading lettings platform, has teamed up with virtual reality technology company 360View to revolutionize the way rental properties are viewed. This exciting partnership allows landlords and agents to enhance their property listings by attaching virtual...

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A third of private rented homes are sub-standard, claims Shelter

A recent report from Shelter reveals that a significant proportion of tenants in England, 35%, live in sub-standard rented homes. Issues such as electrical hazards, pests, and damp conditions were reported, impacting the quality of life for many renters.

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Shelter slams landlords for poor conditions within ‘too many’ rented properties

Critics have heavily criticized the Shelter within an inng report into the PRS in which it says over a third of rented homes are sub-standard. Launched today, Shelter’s major report interviewed 5,177 tenants in the PRS last month and was conducted by YouGov. It revea...

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Pension: Could your pots be used to purchase a house? New idea proposed by DWP

Pension savings are built up throughout a person’s working life and automatic enrolment rules can allow employees to generate large sums for their retirement. Recently, Guy Opperman revealed he was looking into how these assets can be used for other elements of life....

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PlanetRent agrees partnership with Legal for Landlords

In response to the ongoing challenges faced by landlords, automated lettings platform PlanetRent has teamed up with the renowned legal firm LegalforLandlords. This collaboration aims to provide landlords with comprehensive legal support, especially crucial as the UK ...

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Thousands of leaseholders to be refunded for 'unfair' ground rents

The leasehold housing market has been under scrutiny following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into unfair practices surrounding mis-selling of leasehold homes. Thousands of leaseholders across the UK have faced soaring ground rent cha...

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Principle Welcomes Government Guidance on Flats

UK government intervention that means leaseholders “trapped” in flats due to the cladding crisis could soon be able to sell or re-mortgage their properties. The comments from the leading estate manager come in the wake of advice from an independent expert group that ...

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Four out of five high street properties ripe for resi conversion

The property landscape in London is undergoing significant changes, with new rules allowing for the residential conversion of many commercial properties. With the implementation of "Class E" permitted development rights, up to four out of five high street properties ...

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'Explosive' growth of single-family housing shows maturity of UK BTR

The bank is no stranger to build to rent (BTR), having made its debut in the sector a few years back with a £118 million loan to finance the construction of Apache Capital and Moda's The Mercian skyscraper in Birmingham. Yet what made the deal with Urban & Civic ...

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Ringley Group launches outsourced property site finding business

Asset and property management business Ringley Group, specializing in operational residential real estate, has launched VirginLand by Ringley. This new technology-driven venture will serve as an outsourced land department for investors and developers, streamlining si...

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Ringley launches outsourced land department

Asset and property manager Ringley Group has launched VirginLand, its latest technology-driven business to boost housing delivery and support investors looking to enter the UK residential market.VirginLand by Ringley will be led by property entrepreneur Dan Robinson,...

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Planning for long-term performance in single-family housing

With European living real estate investment exceeding €100bn for the first time in 2021 according to Cushman and Wakefield, it is clear investor appetite for the living sectors is far from sated.By Mary-Anne Bowring, Group Managing Director, Ringley GroupIn recent ye...

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Residential asset managers must wake up to the power or proptech

Introduction to how the use of data in decision-making is revolutionizing the real estate sector, particularly in uncertain times.

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The predictable surprise: Unite’s move into BTR

Unite’s move into Build to Rent (BTR) is a calculated step to mitigate risks in the student housing sector. By broadening its rental market presence, the company is positioning itself against economic downturns and evolving investor priorities.

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It's time to democratise the land market

Demystifying and democratising the land market provides an opportunity to stimulate competition and collaboration, providing a boost to the struggling to-house market, writes Daniel Robinson, CEO of VirginLand by Ringley.

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Are integrated retirement communities the solution to the emerging later living crisis?

Last year’s census results revealed that our population is now older than ever before. Almost a fifth of people who live in the UK are aged over 65, including half a million people over the age of 90. (...)

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