What will be required of Landlords?

This will involve landlords completing the detailed application form on the council portal (which until recently was closed for “maintenance”), paying application fees and paying licence fees totalling £850 for each property. The council will then inspect properties and issue notices to landlords failing to meet safety standards.

Will there be penalties for Landlords who don’t comply?

Landlords who let properties without a valid licence will be liable for large fines of £30,000 and tenants of unlicensed properties will also be able to claim back 12 months of rent.

In their press release, Wandsworth Council called this a “crack down on unsafe rentals”:

Wandsworth Council extends scheme to crack down on unsafe rentals – Wandsworth Borough Council

The council’s stated aim is to make properties safer for renters, in which case this should be welcome news for tenants living in East Putney and West Putney if it results in improved safety standards in rental properties.

The cost to Landlords

This will be an additional expenses and unwelcome news for landlords, especially at a time when the Renters Rights Act is about to be implemented from 1^st May, which increases tenant’s rights and security of tenure.

If you let out a property in West Putney or East Putney wards, you should urgently follow this link for more information on applying for a licence before the 1^st October deadline:

Check if you need a property licence – Wandsworth Borough Council

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‘London Property Management Company of the Year’ – WINNER

The London Property Management Company of the Year category shortlists the very best Managing Agents based in London – amongst hundreds of management companies across London, JCF was deemed to be the top property management company for London.

To be nominated and shortlisted for the award, JCF was required to demonstrate excellence in our field and that we deliver exceptional service and industry knowledge as well as us being able to expertly manage any type of property, from historic buildings to large and modern developments. With dozens of entries for this category, JCF are very proud to be announced as the winner.

‘Major Works Project of the Year’ – WINNER

JCF Property Management is also the 2025 winner of the News on the Block Major Works Project of the Year category. In this category we were recognised for the management of a significant installation of a Communal Heat Network system for a large London block. The project, which spanned more than a year has significantly contributed to reduced carbon and Nitrous Oxide emissions (the equivalent of planting 2500 trees and removing 630 petrol cars from the road each year). The project was managed in a way to minimise disruption to residents whilst keeping everyone involved fully informed of progress throughout the process. We are delighted that the hard work, expertise, and professionalism of the JCF team led us to winning in this category.

About News on the Block

Since launching in 2003, News on the Block has been a trusted source of news, insight, and guidance for property managers, leaseholders, and professionals across the industry. The News on the Block annual Property Management Awards celebrate the best in the sector, with awards being decided by the panel of respected industry experts and peers seeking to highlight excellence in property management.

Pictures & videos from the event

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A well-designed and maintained garden or planting scheme does not just look good—it can actually add value to your property. On the flip side, neglected greenery can reduce its appeal and worth. Whether you are a resident, Property Manager, or part of a resident committee, investing in your outdoor space pays off.

The Right Plant in the Right Place

One of the most common (and costly) gardening mistakes is choosing the wrong plant for the location. Plants that struggle in their environment—wilting, yellowing, or failing to bloom—are a sign that something is not right.

Not sure what grows well in your area? Take a walk around the neighbourhood. Local gardens will give you clues about what thrives in your soil type and microclimate. You can also test your soil using simple kits or the DIY jam jar method—mix soil with water, let it settle, and observe the layers to identify whether it’s clay, chalk, sandy, or loamy.

Rooftop Gardens: Green Space in the Sky

Urban blocks without ground-level gardens are increasingly turning to rooftop planting. While these spaces can offer stunning views and much-needed greenery, proper waterproofing and insulation are essential to avoid long-term structural issues like water ingress.  Done to a high standard, rooftop gardens provide residents with a peaceful escape, communal space, and a boost to property aesthetics.

Planters: Small-Scale Greening with Big Impact

No garden? No problem. Planters can be a great alternative—provided they are permitted by the lease and do not pose safety risks. Keep in mind: pots need care. Without regular watering, feeding, and pruning, they will quickly become unsightly.

Fortunately, some plant species thrive on minimal attention—perfect for busy developments or where a full-time gardener is not available.

Choose Plants That Stay Healthy

Certain plants, like Buxus sempervirens (common box), may look great but are prone to disease and pests, such as box blight and box moth or caterpillars (Cydalima perspectalis). These problems have devastated box hedging in areas like Putney, but alternatives do exist. Disease-resistant varieties and other evergreen shrubs offer attractive, low-risk options.

More Than Just Looks: Gardens That Give Back

A thoughtful planting scheme does more than beautify your block—it creates a mini-ecosystem. Flowers can attract bees and butterflies, while berries provide food for birds. Trees and shrubs offer shade, reduce noise, and improve privacy.

Some plants even offer culinary and medicinal benefits, and being around greenery has been proven to support mental well-being. A low-maintenance garden can achieve all this while keeping service charges in check—especially if there’s a hands-on resident or gardening committee involved.

Practical Tips for a Thriving Garden

• Watch your plants. Chlorotic or Yellowing leaves or poor growth often mean a plant needs relocating or that the soil is not acid enough for ericaceous plants—preferably during the dormant season.
• Propagate wisely. Take cuttings, sow grass seed, or divide perennials to expand your garden without increasing costs.
• Be careful with trees. Avoid planting large species close to buildings. Invasive roots from trees like weeping willows can damage drains and foundations. Fallen leaves can clog gutters and create slip hazards—schedule seasonal maintenance to stay ahead.

Need Help? Trust the Experts

At JCF, we work with a trusted list of experienced gardeners and tree surgeons who understand the unique challenges of communal and urban gardens. Their work speaks for itself.

Great Gardens Start Small

You do not need a sprawling landscape to make an impact. With the right approach and a bit of care, even the humblest outdoor space can become a green haven for everyone to enjoy.

If you are looking to improve your property’s outdoor appeal or need guidance on planting schemes and maintenance, we are here to help. Because when it comes to property value and resident satisfaction—first impressions really do matter.

This blog post was provided by Katrina Verdon-Roe, RHS Stage II General Certificate in Horticulture pass with Credit.

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The usefulness of smart doorbells cannot be understated, they offer enhanced home security and convenience for residents regardless of location, be that answering the door remotely or recording “parcel pinchers” in the act of stealing recent online purchases. However, their use raises important questions around data protection, privacy rights, and legislative compliance, particularly General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA18). Leaseholders and residents alike should be aware of their own legal responsibilities when using such devices, especially in shared or communal spaces.

The Data Protection Act 2018 outlines the extent to which data can be collected, processed, and used within the UK and is regulated by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The use of smart doorbells falls within this remit particularly when they record areas beyond your own domestic property, such as public rights of way, your neighbour’s front door, or the block’s car park. The moment you start to collect and store personal data of those not within your own household, the ICO deems you a data controller which comes with a plethora of additional responsibilities under GDPR and DPA18. Failure to fulfil such duties may subject you to appropriate regulatory action by the ICO as well as potential legal action by individuals whose data is being processed.

The case of Fairhurst vs Woodard 2021 introduced a landmark legal dispute between neighbours over the use of security cameras. The claimant discovered that security cameras were set up in positions that effectively ‘spied’ on their movements, with one camera capturing their house and garden while another recorded the garden and parking space. Although the defendant argued that the cameras were set up in ‘good faith as a burglar deterrent’, the Court ruled that their actions amounted to harassment, nuisance and a breach under the DPA18. As the defendant was operating in the capacity of a data controller, the Court was particularly concerns by the lack of transparency and active attempts to mislead regarding how and when the cameras were operating. There are, of course, additional elements to the case not covered here, but the summary provided shows how a Court may interpret legislation when it comes to recording devices and smart cameras.

This is not to say that you should tear down any cameras that you have already installed, but you should be aware of your responsibilities under GDPR and DPA18. Here are a few key points:

• Be Transparent: Let people know they’re being recorded. A “CCTV in operation” sign should suffice.
• Cover Only Necessities: Adjust your smart doorbell to capture only your own demised/domestic property. If, for whatever reason, you cannot avoid recording beyond this scope, ensure you can justify it.
• Storing Data: Only keep recordings for as long as they’re needed for security reasons. Otherwise, delete them.
• Securing Data: Use strong passwords and encryption to keep any stored data (per above) safe and secure.

Specific Risks and Considerations in a Residential Block

In a residential block, the installation of smart doorbells raises a unique set of considerations that go beyond those of a typical street-facing house. Leaseholders should remember that communal areas, such as hallways, stairwells, gardens, and car parks etc. are not an extension of their own demised property. Recording in these spaces is highly likely to capture footage of neighbours, visitors, delivery personnel, or even children at play, increasing the likelihood of capturing personal data of individuals outside the household; through capturing and processing personal data, the leaseholder is legally considered a data controller, triggering obligations under UK GDPR and DPA18 on how data is collected, stored, and shared. This is especially relevant in tighter spaces like corridors or landings where a front door camera might unintentionally record a neighbour’s door or movements.

Additionally, most leases contain restrictive covenants that prevent alterations to the external parts of the property, such as doorframes or walls, without first obtaining the landlord’s or managing agent’s permission. From a community perspective, there is also the risk of tension or disputes arising between neighbours who feel their privacy is being compromised. Even if the intention behind installing the device is for personal security, poor placement or a lack of communication can lead to complaints or legal challenges. It is therefore essential that leaseholders consider not only the technical and legal implications, but also the impact on neighbourly relations and building-wide policies.

• Consider Placement: Always consider what is being recorded. What’s being captured in view? What’s being recorded in terms of audio? Can this be justified?
• Privacy Zones: Most smart doorbells have a built-in privacy feature whereby you can create an area that will not be recorded. They will still record audio, even if this feature is utilised.
• Consult Neighbours: Explain why you want to install the cameras, and let them know what, if anything, will be recorded from their property.

What If You’re Being Recorded?

If you feel that your neighbour is filming your property, there are steps that you can take to safeguard your privacy. Firstly, you can contact the person in question to express your concerns, ask why the CCTV needs to record your domestic premises and see if it is possible to relocate or reposition the camera. You have the right to request to see what they are recording, but if you cannot agree, you can contact the ICO or even the police if the situation amounts to potential harassment.

Final Thoughts

Smart doorbells can be a valuable tool for enhancing personal security and peace of mind, but they must be used responsibly, especially within the context of a residential block. As technology evolves, so too does the legislation that governs it, and it’s crucial for leaseholders and residents to stay informed about their legal obligations. By understanding the implications of GDPR and the DPA18, being mindful of communal living environments, and maintaining open communication with neighbours, residents can strike the right balance between home security and respecting the privacy of others. When in doubt, seek advice from your managing agent, landlord, or the ICO to ensure your setup is both lawful and appropriate.

The post Smart Doorbells: What You Need To Know Regarding The Legislation appeared first on Property Management & Block Management Experts London - JCF.

The Renters Rights Bill has prompted some landlords to sell their properties, which reduces the supply of properties available to rent, which increases the rent for properties that are still available.

Some landlords have served notice on tenants they find difficult while they still can. They are anticipating the end of Section 21 notices by using it now rather than be left stuck with tenants they might struggle to evict in the future.

Landlords are being much more careful about tenants they are willing to take on. In the past, even if a tenant did not have perfect references, a landlord might still take them on, safe in the knowledge that if things didn’t work out, it was straightforward to use a Section 21 notice to end a tenancy. Now however, if a tenant can’t show a history of stable employment and a history of previous satisfied landlords, landlords won’t be willing to take a risk on them.

For many tenants therefore the Renters Rights Bill has already had a negative impact.

In the longer term however, tenants should benefit from the stability of longer tenancies, secure in the knowledge that landlords can only serve notice under certain circumstances. This will make it easier for tenants to plan ahead with major life decisions like having children. Landlords will still be able to increase rents annually with Section 13 notices but it will be easier for tenants to challenge unreasonable increases.

If a tenant is lucky enough to be renting a decent property with a professional landlord at a reasonable rent, they are going to be reluctant to give up that tenancy, so we will probably see increased examples of tenants subletting properties for higher rents, as is sometimes seen with council housing, so landlords will need to be increasingly careful to check who is actually living in their properties.

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. If you have any questions, please speak to a solicitor.

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Under these arrangements new leasehold flats will be banned with commonhold buildings being introduced to provide homeowners with greater control over their properties, eliminating ground rent. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said:

“[the reforms] mark the beginning of the end for the feudal leasehold system which subjects homeowners to unfair practices and unreasonable costs”

Commonhold was first introduced in 2002 as a form of property ownership in the UK that allows individuals to own the freehold of a flat within a building while collectively managing shared areas with other property owners. Unlike leasehold, commonhold properties do not have a time limit, meaning owners are not bound by expiring leases. Instead, a Commonhold Association, run by the unit owners, oversees the management and maintenance of communal areas.

Adoption of commonhold over the last 23 years has been slow. There are approximately 184 units registered as commonhold in England and Wales compared to 4,770,000 leasehold units. So far there has been little appetite for leasehold owners to transition to commonhold and at the moment there appears to be no new legislation proposed to make it easy to do so.

In a statement reacting to the news of the white paper, Andrew Bulmer CEO of The Property Institute (TPI) said:

“With both tenures coexisting, we must ensure commonhold functions effectively while improving leasehold to avoid a two-tier system, a key concern raised by TPI and leaseholders themselves. We welcome the Minister’s commitment to robust building maintenance measures in commonhold. Our Scottish members, who transitioned away from leasehold without such protections, know the challenges firsthand.

Commonhold is no silver bullet. It won’t significantly reduce service charges—a common misconception. By law, managing agents cannot profit from service charges, which fund essential maintenance. Rising insurance, energy, and staffing costs are the driving forces behind recent increases. TPI’s Service Charge Index shows little difference between landlord and leaseholder-controlled costs, with the latter actually fractionally higher.”

We await further details of the Government’s proposals with the publication of the Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill later in the year.

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The trust aims to develop programmes and tools to help those experiencing domestic abuse and to promote healthy relationships in schools, colleges and workplaces.

Through our insurance broker Insurety Ltd, we were introduced to the Hollie Guard app – a personal alarm, deterrent, and evidence catcher that helps to protect our property managers when they are on site. If in danger the property manager simply sets off an alert which not only activates the smartphone camera and microphone but sends a text to emergency contacts and an alert to a police approved monitoring centre with location details.

This year JCF is working with the Hollie Gazzard Trust to develop a Women’s Charter to raise awareness, identify and safely intervene in situations where domestic abuse, stalking, sexual harassment or coercive control may be happening.

Howard Nicholson, Head of Property Management at JCF said:

We are incredibly proud to be working closely with the Hollie Gazzard Trust to champion safety, respect and wellbeing for women everywhere.

For more information about the Hollie Gazzard Trust visit www.holliegazzard.org or contact rich@holliegazzard.org

The post JCF Announces Partnership With Hollie Gazzard Trust appeared first on Property Management & Block Management Experts London - JCF.

It is important to state that although now law, none of the provisions are enforced at the time of writing. Some will require Statutory Instruments in the new Parliament after the election and others will be enacted on 24th July 2024. Below we provide a brief summary of the changes the new legislation bring:

Building Safety Act

Coming into force on 24 July 2024 this amends S123 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) directing relevant landlords to provide expert surveys relating to potential relevant defects and expands S124 providing examples of costs that could included in any remediation contribution order. Importantly the LFRA also amends para 9 of Schedule 8 of the BSA clarifying that the bar on recovering legal and professional costs does not apply to RMCs and RTM companies.

Rentcharges

Rentcharges are often contained in transfers for freehold houses relating to the estate management. The LFRA amends the Law of Property Act 1925 in respect of fixed rentcharges (known as regulated rentcharges) setting out new requirements in relation to notices that must be served to recover arrears. Incidentally this type of charge was removed in 1977 and will be expunged in 2037. These provisions come into force on 24 July 2024. Other amendments to variable rentcharges bring regulations to provide freehold properties similar protections to those enjoyed by leaseholders, although there is no indication of when these amendments will be introduced.

Service Charges

The LFRA amends the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985, although this will require statutory instruments before any provisions can be enforced. The key provisions contained in the legislation are:

• Service charge demands will have to be in a specified form, set down in regulations;
• S20B(2) notices will also need to be in a specified form;
• Service Charge Accounts will have to be in a specified form with a 6-month window to produce accounts from year-end;
• Landlords will have to provide annual reports to leaseholders in a specified form within 1-month from year-end;
• Leaseholders will have further rights to obtain information from their Landlord about service charges;
• Leaseholders will have rights to make an application to the Tribunal if a landlord fails to issue service charge demands, or annual reports in the correct format with damages payable up to £5,000;
• Insurance costs will be limited to “permitted insurance payments” although no details yet about what this means;
• Administration charges will have to be published documenting any charges that may become payable by a leaseholder
• The Landlord’s litigation charges in proceedings against a leaseholder will not be recoverable as service or administration charges unless the Landlord applies to the Court or Tribunal allowing these to be recovered;
• There will be an obligation on Landlords to provide information within its possession in respect of any sale of a property with a limit set on the charge for this information.

If you feel that your property would benefit from a more professional managing agent, get in touch with us today to discuss your property.

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Elena Pletea

Elena is a senior property manager at JCF and joined us in 2017. Since that time she has earned an enviable reputation for being able to expertly support property residents and go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the very best level of service is maintained. During the last 12 months, residents have particularly noted her rapid response to unexpected problems such as a property fire and boiler issues, including over weekends and holidays. Her wealth of experience has also meant she is ideally placed to oversee complex and technical projects, including successfully applying for a building safety fund for cladding remedial works to one of the blocks she manages.

A director of one of the properties that Elena manages described her as “calm, self-assured, gently persuasive and above all, she has good judgement – she gets things done”.

A large block in Wandsworth that had recently come under the management of JCF was quickly found by Elena and the team to require re-cladding. Elena successfully applied for the government grant for the remedial work to be carried out and one of the directors at the block commented “she has been amazing and supportive and well and truly gone above and beyond her remit… we’re really grateful for all the work she has done for us”.

Regular 5 star reviews

Whilst everyone at JCF knows how capable, professional and caring Elena is in her work, we are happy for our customers to do the talking. Below is an example of one of the many 5 star reviews Elena has gained via TrustPilot:

Since this management took over, I must say, the difference is like night and day!

My property manager, Elena Pletea, has constantly provided timely updates and detailed information, she has been brilliant. It’s such a refreshing change from the previous company.

Their payment platform is also fantastic! Easy to use, transparent and gives you the option of ways to organize your payments, rather than a forced direct debit.

Well done JCF! You exceeded my expectations.

Our submission to News on the Block

Every year, News on the Block and their strict team of judges assess the very best property managers in London and award those who stand out above all others. Our video submission to News on the Block which led to Elena’s award, is below. Here you can see first-hand that Elena’s dedication and professionalism are matched only by the level of appreciation shown by the residents and directors of the properties she manages.

Well done Elena!

The post Elena Pletea: ‘Highly Commended Property Manager’ Award appeared first on Property Management & Block Management Experts London - JCF.

Fire safety in flats

Each year there are around 40,000 fires in residential dwellings in the United Kingdom, causing around 8,000 casualties and about 250 deaths. Fires happen more often in flats and apartments than in houses and bungalows (perhaps due to the lifestyles of flat dwellers), but when a fire does occur, the incidence of death or injury is less in flats than for houses and bungalows. Recent major fires in blocks of flats such as Grenfell Tower have highlighted the need to always be vigilant and to take whatever precautions are necessary to reduce the risks so as to avoid the devastating loss of life and the damage and destruction to the building and possessions that a fire causes.

In blocks of flats, the lobby areas and stairway are the route for an evacuation, so should be compartmented from the flats so that smoke and fire from a flat can never spread to the stairs. For this to be assured, not only must every flat entrance door be an effective fire and smoke barrier, but it must also be kept properly shut at all times, other than when someone is passing through the door or at least is physically present. If a flat entrance door was left not properly shut tight with a fire developing inside a flat, the stairway would quickly fill with smoke and fumes, very easily rendering the stairs a deadly place, both for people escaping from the flat on fire, and for the occupants of all the other flats.

Where possible, blocks of flats operate a ‘Stay Put’ policy meaning that in the event of a fire you remain safe in your flat until the Fire Brigade arrive to either extinguish the fire or evacuate the building under their control. Where the compartmentation of the building does not provide sufficient protection to residents then an ‘Evacuate’ policy will be needed.

To achieve compartmentation, all flat front doors should comply with British Standards BSEN 1634-1:2008 so must have automatic closer springs, which must be effective in shutting the door properly under all conditions and circumstances. Additionally, the doors must be FD30S standard, which means that they have a minimum 30-minute fire rating and include intumescent strips and cold smoke seals at the edges with suitable fire proof door furniture, including hinges, locks and letter boxes.

Your flat front door may already be a compliant door, particularly if your building is quite modern. If you want to check this yourself, please see our Tenant Advice Note: Checking your Flat Door which provides a checklist to test if your door is likely to meet the standard. If your door is compliant, the Fire Risk Assessment will identify that no further action is needed.

If your door was fitted before 2000 then it may not meet current building regulations and you would be advised to consider upgrading it for one that does. Your lease may require that you obtain the Freeholder’s written permission to change your door. Please contact your property manager to ask for details of how to apply for consent. Even if your lease does not require the Freeholder’s permission, we would recommend that you use a properly certified contractor who will issue you with a certificate of compliance. You may need to prove the door meets the regulations, either if the Freeholder decides to change the doors at a later date, or if you choose to sell your flat sometime in the future.

In the majority of cases it will be the Freeholder of your block (or the Residents Management Company or Right to Manage Company as appropriate) who will have received the Fire Risk Assessment for the Building as a whole and who will have been advised that the doors to the flats are not adequate and need to be changed. They will likely therefore, consider implementing a major works project to include changing the front doors to all flats and you will need to pay your share of that cost.

Although it is not yet mandatory to change your flat front door, it is possible that future legislation will impose this requirement. If this happens, we may find that costs increase significantly as the demand across the UK outstrips supply in both materials and contractors’ availability. Many Residents Management Companies and Freehold Companies are considering altering all flat doors now. Firstly, it reduces the risk in the building making it safer in the event of a fire; secondly, larger bulk orders of doors can be cheaper; and finally, it can ensure the uniformity of design and colour of doors in the building which may be difficult to guarantee if alterations are carried out over a period of many years.

What should I do now?

Use the checklist in our Tenant Advice Note: Checking your Flat Door to see whether your door meets the Building Regulations.

If you were planning to change your flat front door anyway, then please speak to your property manager and provide us with all the relevant information to ensure you will be fitting a fully compliant front door.

If your Management Company is considering changing the doors following a recent risk assessment we will contact you about the planned arrangements. This may be through a consultation process or a residents meeting but please do participate and let us know your views.

If you feel that your property would benefit from a more professional managing agent, get in touch with us today to discuss your property.

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