Restoring pride in social housing

Restoring pride in social housing

Building more social housing is higher on the agenda than ever before, but future-proofing must be top priority for management teams, explains William McDowell of Rockpanel Group. Social housing tower blocks are easily one of the most controversial elements of... View Article

Solar success: why PV systems are a win for landlords

Energy efficiency continues to be a hot topic for property as housing providers gear up to meet rigorous efficiency rules. John Forster, Chairman of Solar Trade Association Scotland, reveals how solar roofing can improve homes and lives. Despite the UK government’s commitment... View Article
Flood resilience: Preparing properties for the winter

Preparing for winter with resilient properties

In recent years there has been significant damage to many properties as a result of harsh and persistent wintry weather. Flooding has been high up on the agenda with a national flood resilience review having been commissioned by the Department... View Article

Future is green: building envelopes and energy efficiency

Simon Wild, European Category Marketing Manager at Formica Group, discusses the importance of building envelopes in combatting carbon emissions and their role in energy efficiency. On a global scale residential and commercial buildings are estimated to contribute approximately 31.5 per cent of carbon... View Article
Housing maintenance: Wiping off the cost

Feature: Wiping off the cost of maintenance

Industrial strength wipes can be a part of your overall cost saving strategy when it comes to housing association management and maintenance teams, explains Corinna Palin, International Marketing Manager of Big Wipes. According to the latest Health and Safety Executive... View Article

Potterton: Tackling fuel poverty with sustainable solutions

For the landlords of social housing, leaving a legacy has always been a core objective. But what options are available to housing associations aiming to tackle fuel poverty and support communities today? Bill Jones, sales director at Potterton considers what it... View Article
Effective access control: shared buildings

Effective access control: shared buildings

Neil Thomas, national sales manager at Videx – who has been providing door entry and access control systems to housing associations for almost 30 years ­– addresses the key issues that need to be considered when choosing door entry systems... View Article

Easy does it…

Clarissa Youden, associate director of Total Home Environment discusses how good ventilation can reduce building maintenance and fuel poverty, while offering dramatic health benefits So you’ve got old housing stock, with complaints of mould, condensation and high heating bills. While... View Article
Adding a skylight will improve your property

Improve your property with skylights

Sunsquare is a designer and manufacturer of bespoke skylights to be awarded a BSI Kitemark in the industry. As an expert in his field, MD of the company Justin Seldis talks through the legislation concerning skylight installation for landlords Property... View Article

Maintaining aluminium guttering

Martyn Reed, the technical director of ARP Ltd in Leicester is keen to discuss the benefits that aluminium can offer as a rainwater and roofline solution With the government looking to deliver a strategy of building affordable housing, improving the... View Article
Modern and stylish adaptive bathrooms

Modern and stylish adaptive bathrooms

When it comes to refurbishing housing stock with fully adaptive bathrooms, many landlords, housing associations and local authorities think high-end aesthetics are simply not cost-effective. An evolving market is now challenging that view more than ever. Peter Melia, UK business... View Article

New rules for smoke alarms

New government regulations demanding smoke alarms and, in some instances, carbon monoxide alarms in privately rented homes add to a confusing mix of requirements, leading alarm manufacturer Kidde explains. With occupants at least four times more likely to die in... View Article

Buying into biomass

As a sustainable low-carbon technology, biomass has become an increasingly popular option for housing associations. What’s more, registered landlords who have installed biomass have seen a reduction in fuel bills for their tenants, making it even more attractive – particularly... View Article

Selecting the right flooring for your housing

Designer Contracts MD, Peter Kelsey, offers his expert opinion on how to select the right contractor and the right flooring products for any social or private rented property The nature of social and private rental properties should be researched and... View Article

Landlords and Legionella – complying with the law

In April 2014 the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines for prevention of Legionella were brought into law, requiring every landlord to undertake regular risk assessments for each of their tenanted properties, whether managed by themselves or an agent. Failure... View Article

UFH in conversion projects – the essentials

The most common question asked about the suitability of underfloor heating (UFH) in a building conversion is ‘how can we minimise the floor build up?’ This is an important area to master within a project such as an office to... View Article

Versatile style

Nicola Seymour of Marbrex explores the potential of decorative yet highly practical internal cladding systems over more traditional wall coverings – from reducing labour costs and timescales to ease of installation; long-term cleaning and maintenance When it comes to creating... View Article