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.

At the Landed x LSH breakfast panel during UKREiiF, industry experts gathered to dissect the pressing issues facing the UK residential development market. From escalating build costs and strategic landowner legacy planning to severe water infrastructure capacity limits and housing association targets, the panel highlights why cross-sector collaboration is the ultimate tool to unlock stalled sites.

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.

With affordable housing needs reaching 180,000 homes a year, the current system of relying on private developer cross-subsidy is falling short. James Cogan explores why rigid quotas are leaving developments on the drawing board and argues for a shift toward strategic cash-in-lieu use and direct public sector delivery to fix our broken housing model.

The Department for Education’s (DfE) updated nonstatutory guidance on school land transactions has major procedural and legal implications for local authorities. From stricter consent discipline and rigid "nil-value" principles to the heightened scrutiny surrounding playing field disposals, councils must adjust to longer transaction lead times. Amanda Timcke breaks down why early legal alignment is vital to navigating these sharpened risk points without stalling key developme

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

The London Bridges Walk saw ACES members, families, and colleagues from across the public sector come together for a grueling yet rewarding 25 km trek along the Thames Path. Author Daniella Barrow recaps the journey from Hammersmith to Tower Bridge, reflecting on how London's iconic crossings—from the structural adaptations of Hammersmith Bridge to the modern sustainability integrations at Blackfriars—serve as vital case studies for real estate long-term stewardship. Learn mo

Transforming underutilized town centre real estate into thriving community spaces requires deeper collaboration between local authorities and grassroots groups. Drawing on real-world case studies from Sheffield, Chichester, and the Wirral, Bex Trevalyan from Platform Places explores how dedicated council roles, adapted grant cashflow models, and cross-departmental site visits can shift internal legal and finance mindsets to replace risk avoidance with shared community value.

Despite constant criticism from rating agents, trade bodies, and politicians, the business rates system remains a remarkably efficient revenue-generating tool for local government. Chris Grose, Director in the Hartnell Taylor Cook Business Rates Team and Junior Vice President of the IRRV, evaluates the main arguments raised by dissenters. Examining tax multipliers, historic rental valuation lags, and empty property rates burdening landlords, he outlines why radical overhauls

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

A professional corporate headshot of a man with short grey-and-brown hair, captured from the chest up. He is facing the camera directly with a calm and welcoming expression. He is wearing a dark grey or black pinstripe suit jacket, a light blue collared dress shirt, and a vibrant red tie adorned with a subtle dark pattern. The entire photograph is set against a seamless, solid white backdrop.

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.

The "Freemen-on-the-Land" (FoTL) movement presents a growing challenge for local authorities, complicating straightforward asset management and debt recovery with pseudo-law arguments rooted in the "sovereign citizen" movement. High Court Enforcement Officer David Asker outlines the core beliefs of these groups—such as claims of immunity from statute law and demands for "wet-ink" signatures. Discover practical legal frameworks, the operational advantages of securing a writ of

Property asset management systems serve as the operational backbone for local authority estates teams managing highly complex public portfolios. While the market has heavily standardized around a few key software providers, a critical benchmark survey delivered by Remit Consulting and ACES reveals significant gaps in how these platforms are monitored. Discover data-driven insights on heavy workloads, weak post-implementation data auditing, and how Local Government Reorganisat

Despite experiencing a modest 0.7% valuation correction following structural changes like the Autumn Budget's Inheritance Tax reforms, the Carter Jonas hypothetical 'Model Estate' highlights the long-term power of asset diversification. Sophie Davidson reviews the 2025/2026 performance across let farms, residential, and commercial portfolios, showing how a standout 46.9% increase in renewable energy assets helped cushion broader pricing adjustments.

The Renters Rights Act 2025 marks a massive regulatory shift for the private rented sector, but are local authorities equipped to enforce it? Property litigation solicitor Dee Karatay explores the unintended consequences of the legislation. From smaller landlords exiting the market to an expansion of local enforcement powers without ring-fenced central funding, this piece highlights why matching legislative ambition with actual public sector resources is critical to avoiding

Achieving the Level 1 mandatory competency for diversity, inclusion, and teamworking is a core requirement for all RICS APC candidates across all assessment pathways. Susan Hanley shares expert advice on how to structure your 1,500-word mandatory summary, connect your knowledge directly to your CPD records, and align your responses with Rule 4 of the RICS Rules of Conduct. Discover practical tips to prepare for direct assessor questioning on team dynamics and inclusive commun

Preparing for the RICS Assessment Professional Competence (APC) Session 2 2026 window requires careful planning from both candidates and their counsellors. Jen Lemen shares an essential roadmap outlining the precise RICS deadlines for Land & Property and Built Environment pathways. Discover actionable tips on setting internal review milestones, managing the administrative sign-off process, and keeping candidates on track to avoid costly submission delays.

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