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ACES Terrier
Property


PRIVATE SECTOR CONSULTANTS The dark art of consultancy, Part 2
Working with the public sector requires a unique approach because success isn't just measured by profit, but by community value and social outcomes. Phil Farrell shares insights on how public sector surveyors can cut through complex procurement, locate true property specialists, and build the trust required to get the most out of their private sector consultants.

Phil Farrell
8 min read


AFFORDABLE HOUSING Cash in lieu - A pragmatic solution or a dangerous precedent?
The draft NPPF suggests making cash in lieu of on-site affordable housing easier to use for medium developments. While this flexibility can unlock stalled SME schemes struggling with rigid policies and limited registered provider appetite , it also carries major risks. Chris Green explains why commuted sums must be used carefully with strict safeguards to avoid turning cash into a deferral mechanism rather than a real housing solution.

Chris Green
4 min read


LEASEHOLD REFORM How will the new homes market be impacted by leasehold reform?
The government wants to hit ambitious housing targets while moving away from the leasehold system, but high-density developments could face major bottlenecks. Tim Foreman outlines why the transition to commonhold must be managed carefully with a pragmatic transition period—rather than a cliff edge—to maintain developer, lender, and buyer confidence.

Tim Foreman
4 min read


PUBLIC SECTOR PLACEMAKING Why the public sector now has a defining role in the next phase of mixed-use regeneration
While underlying market demand for vibrant urban centers remains strong, mounting viability constraints and high construction costs make independent delivery difficult. Alex McKinlay highlights how public-private partnerships can strategically bridge this gap. By analyzing active models across Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, this piece shows why public sector land assembly, planning certainty, and infrastructure investment are essential to unlo

Alex McKinlay
6 min read


LGR AND THE PUBLIC ESTATE From future boundaries to vesting day - Why estate savings require realism about transition capacity and politics
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) provides a unique structural opportunity to completely rethink and reshape the public estate. However, experienced property strategist Guy Brett warns that the critical months leading up to vesting day are often consumed by immediate legal, data, and compliance operational realities. This post explores the technical challenges of modern boundary reorganisation—including handling s16 agreements, s24 disposal controls, title gaps, and polit

Guy Brett
5 min read


THE INSOLVENT TENANT
When a commercial tenant faces financial distress and falls into arrears, landlords must act decisively while navigating complex insolvency legislation. Property litigator Caroline Wort outlines the essential legal mechanisms available to public and private sector landlords. This post covers methods for recovering rent—including CRAR, rent deposits, and guarantor notices—as well as strategies for lease termination like forfeiture, tenant disclaimers, and voluntary surrender.

Caroline Wort
6 min read
LGR & RECRUITMENT Park Avenue Recruitment
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is driving a significant structural shift across property and estates functions in the public sector. With rising uncertainty around long-term workforce planning and budgets, local authorities are increasingly relying on specialized interim talent—particularly in property data, asset management, and transformation roles—to maintain operational continuity. Alicia Gristwood and Grace Esberger share critical workforce planning insights on ma
Alicia Gristwood and Grace Esberger
6 min read


UKREIIF ‘Landowner Forum’ Panel session
Held at the LSH Leeds office during UKREiiF, the inaugural 'Landowner Forum' breakfast panel brought industry experts together to tackle the critical issues slowing down UK residential development. From planning updates and water infrastructure bottlenecks to strategic landowner legacy planning, the panel explores how cross-sector collaboration can unlock stalled sites and restore market momentum.

Charles McClean
4 min read


BATTERY BOXES Batteries, blackouts and the bits of your estate you’ve forgotten about
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are rapidly shifting from a passive rental income stream into critical infrastructure. Ben Wallace shares operational insights on how localized battery installations—such as the Battery Box—help local authorities take control of background energy networks. Discover how these small footprint assets mitigate connection costs for EV charging, maximize rooftop solar output, and bolster power resilience against large-scale blackouts.

Ben Wallace
6 min read


DILAPIDATIONS The tale of the Pearl City: Section 18(1), phased works and expert evidence
In commercial property lease ends, navigating dilapidations disputes requires a precise understanding of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927. Henry Mahalski analyzes the High Court case of Peachside Ltd v Lee and Keung regarding the "Pearl City" restaurant in Manchester. This post details how the court evaluated the two statutory limbs of section 18(1)—diminution in value and supersession—and shows how a landlord's phased works strategy and independent expert evidence ultimately

Henry Mahalski
6 min read


MANAGING COMPLEX ESTATES
Managing complex mixed-use estates requires more than just reactive maintenance; it demands integrated strategic thinking. From navigating "net zero conundrums" to ensuring accounting transparency across diverse lease structures, discover how proactive asset management can protect capital value and ensure long-term resilience in a performance-driven market.

Andrew Morley
5 min read


BUSINESS RATES The 2026 Revaluation – What’s happening?
With the 2026 Rating List approaching, property professionals must prepare for significant shifts in business rates. From a 19.2% increase in total Rating List value to new multipliers for the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors, Chris Grose provides a comprehensive rundown of the upcoming implications for both public and private sector bodies.

Chris Grose
8 min read


VALUER REGISTRATION SCHEME - Local authority valuers and the valuer registration scheme
This article clarifies common misconceptions about the RICS Valuer Registration Scheme (VRS) for local authority valuers, explaining how councils can register as Sponsoring Non-Regulated Organisations (SPONROs) and the obligations for both the authority and individual Registered Valuers.

Donna Best
4 min read
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