Peter Gregory and Betty Albon provide a comprehensive overview of the 2026 ACES National Conference in Southend-on-Sea, detailing sessions on the housing crisis, planning viability, public-private partnerships, workforce recruitment, and the strategic impact of Local Government Reorganisation.

Jen Lemen FRICS breaks down the alternative route to MRICS via the Senior Professional Assessment (SPA), detailing key 2026 updates including strict generative AI policies, interview security rules, and case study competency mapping.

Henry Mahalski analyses the High Court decision in Mulbury Homes v Scoto & Stockport Council, exploring its crucial guidance on SCPC 11.3, landlord consent to assignment, contract rescission, and the legal standing of contracting purchasers.

Alicia Gristwood of Park Avenue Recruitment explores the vital link between recruitment, development, and retention in local government property teams, urging leaders to "make the career visible" to attract and keep future talent.

Mary-Jane O’Neill of Lambert Smith Hampton examines the August 2026 NPPF in practice, detailing emerging appeal trends, station-led density opportunities, grey belt potential, and why estates teams should conduct a strategic portfolio review.

Donna Best FRICS of RICS explores what full Red Book compliance looks like in practice for public sector property teams, covering financial reporting standards, defensible audit trails, rotation policies, and the responsible adoption of AI.

Stuart Knight and Mark Walshe share candid lessons and practical guidance from Cumberland Council's transition to a unitary authority, covering asset rationalisation, team integration, data management, and navigating change.

Carter Jonas researcher Rad Radev examines the government's updated MEES timetable for non-domestic property, revealing that 63% of larger commercial spaces still fall below the proposed EPC B standard and explaining why landlords must use this planning window to act

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.