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The Mayor of Hackney joined representatives from Hackney Council, Higgins Partnerships, and key stakeholders last week to mark the progress being made at the Wimbourne Street development, part of Hackney Council’s Housing Supply Programme. 

From striking architectural statements to critical elements of energy performance and fire safety, façades play a vital role throughout the lifecycle of buildings.

Premier Estates has announced that its founder and Chairman, Ben Jordan, is stepping away from the company after 27 years at the helm. Ben, who established Premier Estates in 1998, has played a pivotal role in the property management sector in the UK. The company will now be led by Managing Director, Lisa Fantom, who has worked alongside Ben since 2007.

In modern apartment blocks and multi-story buildings, waste chutes are one of those everyday conveniences that most people rarely stop to think about.

The ‘residential emergency evacuations plans’ is a newly introduced piece of legislation that is designed to improve fire safety and evacuation procedures in high-rise residential buildings. Stemming directly from Grenfell Tower inquiry recommendations, this legislation requires comprehensive planning for residents who may struggle to evacuate independently due to cognitive or physical mobility issues.

Fire safety in residential buildings relies on strong compartmentation and effective fire engineering. Compartmentation creates fire-resistant barriers that slow the spread of flames and smoke, while further engineering measures ensure systems for prevention, detection and suppression are in place and effective within the building’s design.

Town & City Management Ltd is a residential property management company headquartered in Darlington, with coverage extending to London, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and beyond. Our mission is simple: to deliver professional, ethical, and responsive management services that support leaseholders, freeholders, and resident directors - not just in terms of compliance and service delivery, but in ways that actively promote wellbeing.

For Build to Rent (BTR) developments, a dependable supply of heating, cooling and hot water is an essential part of creating a comfortable living environment that attracts and retains residents. That’s why it’s important that any communal energy centres delivering these services run efficiently, transparently, and reliably. 

At Earl Kendrick, we work closely with property managers across a diverse range of assets, and one of the most dynamic areas we see shaping the market today is Build to Rent (BTR) – also referred to as the Private Rented Sector (PRS). Unlike traditional buy-to-let, BTR is designed from the outset for professional rental, offering long-term, institutionally backed housing.

Build to Rent has been sold as sleek and simple. One landlord, one block, hundreds of tenants. No enfranchisement, no service charge rows, no residents’ committees. For investors, it promised hotel-style housing with stable income and professional management.

The Build-to-Rent (BTR) sector – including purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and co-living – is the fastest-growing residential market in the UK. Institutional investment continues to pour into high-quality schemes across major cities. Residents expect not only lifestyle amenities but safe, well-managed homes.

The long-term success of Build to Rent developments really comes down to three things: service quality, sense of community and a strong Net Operating Income. Having delivered tailored property management services to a range of clients in the BTR sector, Rendall & Rittner understands how to uphold the reputation of BTR operators, control running costs and maximise resident’s living experience.