Posts by Jonty Shepheard
On the rare occasion Jonty isn't at her keyboard, she can be found making coffee, reading fantasy or road-tripping – ideally some combination of all three.
5 ways you can show residents how service charges improve their lives
The average building service charge in the UK can be anywhere between £1,500 and £2,000. Many residents don't realise that the majority of that charge goes back into their resident experience, rather...
Get ready for freezing weather and emergency repairs in March 2023
With yellow warnings for snow and ice descending on much of the UK this week, we’re taking a look back at chilly Marches of years past and how property managers can protect their buildings from snow...
A plain English guide to affordable housing in the UK
Affordable housing in the UK is a confusing topic. With overlapping programmes playing out over the last decade and a lack of clarity on exactly what has been achieved, published figures can seem...
5 signs your boiler is on the blink…
When the weather's cold and the cost of gas is rising, it's more important than ever to keep your boiler well-maintained.
Are block managers really responsible for damp and mould?
Mould and damp is usually considered a problem dealt with by lettings agents and leaseholders rather than block managers, but it can quickly become a major issue for block managers without the right...
Industry progress: the UK housing sector and net-zero carbon emissions
Despite the doom-and-gloom tone of news about climate change, the UK housing market has made significant progress towards the government's target of achieving net zero by 2050.
These targets, which...
Avoid fines and keep your license: 24/7 emergency contacts
Mandatory rental licenses often include a legally enforceable clause giving tenants the right to emergency contact details that must be available 24/7.
Landlord responsibility: damp and mould in social housing
The tragic death of 2 year-old Awaab Ishak in his social home in Rochdale Borough has led to a prominent ongoing discussion and reassessment of landlord responsibility in dealing with damp and mould...
How dangerous is your property in snow and ice?
Freezing weather and snowy conditions have come to the UK this week, with a cold front from the Arctic causing temperatures to plummet to -10C in some areas.
Icy conditions can be very dangerous, so...
Have you protected your properties from power cuts this winter?
The government has ruled out the possibility of power cuts this winter as a response to the growing energy crisis in Europe. But the National Grid has suggested a possible worst-case scenario where...
Preparing for the worst: Blackouts and your occupiers
The UK government has ruled out power cuts, but the National Grid has warned that in an energy crisis worst-case scenario they may be necessary on winter evenings.