Property – PR Fire UK

Kaur Sutherland Leads the Way in Conveyancing

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 12:03:02 +0000

SCOTLAND, UK. 1st April 2025 – The conveyancing industry faces increasing pressure to meet client demands, maintain profitability, and safeguard staff wellbeing.

Kaur Sutherland Conveyancing Solicitors, with offices in Glasgow, Dumbarton, and Lenzie, is helping to redefine conveyancing business success by ensuring high-quality service without compromising the mental health of its team.

Conveyancing has long been associated with high workloads, intense deadlines, and demanding client expectations. The emotional weight of property transactions and heightened regulatory scrutiny has only intensified pressures on legal professionals.

Burnout has become a major issue within the sector, particularly due to high levels of exhaustion. The 2020/21 Law in Life Report highlighted that 69% of legal professionals experienced mental health challenges over the past year, with anxiety, low mood, and depression being the most commonly reported issues. Despite this, many firms continue to prioritise speed and financial performance, leading to unmanageable caseloads and a reactive, high-stress environment.

One of the biggest challenges in the industry is the shift from a structured, ‘push and tell’ approach — where cases progress systematically with clear communication — to a ‘store and snatch’ model, where work is pushed forwards only when clients demand updates. This reactive cycle creates unnecessary stress for legal professionals and results in inefficiencies that ultimately impact both service quality and staff wellbeing.

Recognising these challenges, firms are beginning to embrace a more sustainable approach that prioritises structured workflows and proactive communication. Kaur Sutherland is among those leading this shift, ensuring transactions are handled efficiently while reducing unnecessary pressure on its legal team.

Claire Sutherland, Senior Partner at Kaur Sutherland, says: “Firms across the conveyancing sector must prioritise structured workflows to prevent cases from stagnating while ensuring proactive client communication. A sustainable approach benefits both legal professionals and clients, creating a more efficient and less stressful experience for all.”

By moving away from outdated working models, firms can enhance both service standards and workplace wellbeing. A growing number are recognising that long-term success depends on balancing profitability with staff welfare, rather than prioritising speed and cost-cutting.

Sutherland adds: “While Kaur Sutherland is at the forefront of this shift, meaningful change must happen across the industry. Success will only come when firms balance profitability with employee wellbeing. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to fostering a culture that values both excellence and staff welfare. The future of conveyancing depends on a people-focused approach.”

ENDS

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NAPSA Announces Strategic Partnership with Sprift to Streamline Property Sourcing

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:03:02 +0000

CLITHEROE, UK. 31st March, 2025 – The National Association of Professional Sourcing Agents (NAPSA) is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Sprift, one of the UK’s leading platform for property data searching. This collaboration is set to empower property sourcing agents and deal packagers with unique search tools to streamline deal sourcing and data collection processes.

Driving Efficiency and Data Accuracy in Property Sourcing

NAPSA is committed to supporting sourcing agents across the UK by providing tools, guidance, and resources that help professionals operate compliantly and efficiently. The partnership with Sprift aligns seamlessly with this mission, particularly around new material information rules, offering NAPSA members access to Sprift’s extensive data platform.

Pulling from over 300 data points on UK properties, Sprift enables users to gather 87.5% of the required material information quickly and effortlessly. Saving property professionals significant time, whilst improving the accuracy and quality of their reports when presenting opportunities to investors.

Commenting on the partnership, Tina Walsh, CEO of NAPSA, said, “At NAPSA, we understand the challenges facing sourcing agents – especially when it comes to juggling time, compliance and costs. Sprift provides a unique solution where agents can search on and offline properties, gathering 87.5% of material information at the same time.

Allowing agents to quickly search and assess properties is critical in operating efficiently, and we are thrilled that Sprift are kindly offering all NAPSA Members a fantastic discount to use this incredible resource. Sprift’s platform truly is a market game changer and we are incredibly proud to be able to offer our Members access to this resource.”

Empowering Property Professionals with Exclusive Benefits

Through this partnership, NAPSA members will gain access to exclusive benefits, including 50% discount on Sprift’s platform to access high-quality property data.

NAPSA-approved sourcing agents will also have the opportunity to generate custom reports for their clients, which include NAPSA’s logo for professional credibility.

Matt Gilpin, Founder and CEO at Sprift, shared his excitement about the partnership, stating:

“We’re delighted to partner with NAPSA, giving their members access to comprehensive property data and insights. This partnership is all about helping NAPSA professionals stay knowledgeable, compliant and ahead of the game.”

Dedicated to Supporting Sourcing Agents

NAPSA’s dedication to fostering professionalism and credibility within the property sector is evident through this collaboration. By partnering with Sprift, NAPSA continues to provide sourcing agents and deal packagers with access to industry-leading resources while upholding national compliance standards.

NAPSA members interested in accessing Sprift can visit the dedicated page at the NAPSA website or reach out to the NAPSA team directly here.

ENDS

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Zutec Boosts Building Information Management Confidence within Build-to-Rent (BTR) Sector, Solidifying 30% Market Share in High-Rise Building Units

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:03:02 +0000

LONDON, UK. March 26th, 2025 – Zutec, a leading provider of construction and property management software solutions in the UK and Ireland, today announced it now hosts building information in its platform for over 30% of the Build-to-Rent high-rise units, proving its PropTech leadership in the UK.

As clients add more buildings and expand their platform usage, Zutec’s role in supporting this sector with efficient asset management, digital building safety requirements and regulatory compliance continues to grow.

At the start of 2025, there were over 100,000 BTR units* in high-rise buildings (over 18 meters tall or seven storeys high) in the UK, with approximately 25,700 units added in 2024 and a further 57,400 units under construction. This rapid growth makes the BTR segment one of the fastest-expanding residential sectors in the UK. Zutec currently hosts building data for over 30,000 units across its Handover and Asset Management solutions.

Innovative Asset Management Solutions

As Asset Owners struggle with managing fragmented building data, information silos and building safety compliance, Zutec’s unique offering in asset management includes Specifying Digital Handover, Building Document Management, BSA (Building Safety Act) Compliance, and tools for capturing and managing inspection data in areas such as Fire Door Audits and Cladding Remediation, all of which contribute to maintaining a “golden thread” of information.

Where contractors utilise Zutec during the construction phase for digital handover and have building manuals already in the Zutec platform, BTR operators can access a single source of truth by easily hosting that data at project completion for ongoing building operations. Zutec also enables clients to take existing building data that may be in disparate systems, formats and locations, and migrate it into its platform, ensuring that data across an entire property portfolio from handover to asset management is consolidated in one place for ease of access, updates, and a clear audit trail of information.

“The Build-to-Rent sector requires confidence in their data to manage assets efficiently, make informed decisions, and stay compliant with evolving regulations,” said Maria Hudson, CMO at Zutec.

“With nearly a third of all BTR high-rise units in the UK hosted on our platform, we’re building that confidence by helping the sector structure and streamline building information management in one accessible system. As regulation tightens, we’re committed to supporting more BTR providers in consolidating their approach and ensuring compliance with ease.”

Key Customers and How Zutec Helps

Notable BTR customers partnering with Zutec include Greystar, Grainger, Realstar, Moda Living, Touchstone Resi, Get Living and Essential Living. These clients leverage one or a combination of the following solutions:

Specifying Digital Handover Building Manuals: Under a framework agreement, BTRs can specify that their developers/contractors use Zutec for digital building manuals across all in-progress construction projects, ensuring documents and data are standardised and delivered consistently in one platform. This simplifies handover to asset management and provides easy access to information for all stakeholders as information is hosted in one place.
Digitising and Migrating Existing Building Information: Zutec consolidates legacy building information, often stored in various formats across multiple systems, into a single platform for digital handovers, O&M (Operations & Maintenance) manuals, and BSA compliance. As a live record, the platform also provides an audit trail of tracked changes and version control, ensuring critical data is never lost or inaccessible.
Solutions for Fire Door Audits and BSA Compliance: Zutec’s cloud-based, mobile Fire Door Audits solution captures, stores, and updates inspection data in real time using standardised forms and checklists. Automated compliance tracking, photographic evidence and digital signatures strengthen audit trails and compliance verification, and instant alerts and reminders prevent missed inspections and overdue corrective actions.

Additionally, with Zutec’s BSA Dashboard, users can streamline safety documentation when managing thousands of documents across a portfolio making compliance more manageable and ensuring the right information is present, correct and accessible to those that need it.

To speak to a Zutec expert, request a demo, or find out more about how Zutec works with BTRs today and how the company can help with everything from construction of buildings to asset management and compliance, please contact info@zutec.com.

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Oakheart Property Acquires Thompsons Estate Offices in Suffolk

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:03:01 +0000

Suffolk, UK. March 20th, 2025 – Oakheart Property is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Thompsons Estate Offices, a prestigious Ipswich-based estate and lettings agency with a rich history dating back to 1933.

This strategic move marks a significant milestone in Oakheart’s expansion across Essex and Suffolk, reinforcing its position as a leading property services provider in the region.

The acquisition brings together Thompsons’ longstanding reputation for excellence in sales and lettings with Oakheart’s innovative approach to property services. Oakheart Property is delighted to welcome Thompsons’ experienced team members into its growing family. Allan, the Property Manager, Jules in Administration, and Margaret in Accounts will continue in their respective roles, ensuring a seamless transition for the hundreds of landlords and tenants who have relied on Thompsons’ expertise for years.

This expansion adds to Oakheart’s established network of offices across Essex and Suffolk, which now includes branches in Chelmsford, Colchester, Mersea Island, Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds, and Ipswich. The addition of Thompsons’ office brings the total number of Oakheart branches to six, reflecting the company’s ambitious growth strategy while maintaining its commitment to delivering outstanding service at every stage of the property journey.

Oakheart Property’s unique blend of traditional values and modern innovation sets it apart in the competitive real estate market. Clients benefit from a local, hands-on, personal service that prioritises transparency, trust, and expert advice. While rooted in these traditional values, the agency also embraces cutting-edge technology and innovative marketing strategies to ensure properties achieve maximum exposure and optimal results.

From professional photography and videography to tailored marketing campaigns across digital platforms, Oakheart’s approach is designed to meet the needs of today’s property market while maintaining the personal touch that sets it apart. This combination of traditional estate agency services with a modern twist has been a key factor in Oakheart’s rapid growth since its founding in 2020.

Dan Mitchell, Co-Founder of Oakheart, said: “We are incredibly excited to bring Thompsons Estate Offices into the Oakheart Property group. Thompsons has a rich heritage and a strong presence across East Suffolk, and we are committed to preserving its values while introducing our dynamic approach to the market. We look forward to working with Allan, Jules, and Margaret, who bring invaluable expertise and dedication to the business. Together, we will continue to provide the outstanding service that clients of Thompsons have come to expect, while also expanding our presence in Ipswich.”

This acquisition not only strengthens Oakheart’s presence in the Ipswich area but also demonstrates the company’s commitment to growth and excellence in the property sector. By combining Thompsons’ established reputation with Oakheart’s innovative approach, the merged entity is well-positioned to offer an unparalleled level of service to clients across Essex and Suffolk.

For more information about Oakheart Property, visit oakheart.co.uk or call 01473 251907.

-ENDS-

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Zutec Launches Digital Fire Door Audits Solution for Asset Owners to Streamline Inspections and Meet Regulatory Compliance Requirements

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 16:03:02 +0000

London – 11th March 2025: Zutec, a leading provider of construction and property management software solutions in the UK and Ireland, today announced the launch of its cutting-edge Fire Door Audits solution, set to transform the way Asset Owners efficiently manage fire door inspections, meet regulatory requirements, and mitigate safety risks.

Under Regulation 10 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, introduced under Article 24 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (Fire Safety Order), building owners and managing agents are required to conduct regular and routine fire door checks in residential buildings over 11 metres tall. The ‘Responsible Person’ must ensure visual inspections are carried out on fire doors in common areas on a quarterly basis, while flat entrance doors require annual assessments. Keeping accurate records and ensuring compliance across large and growing property portfolios can be a huge undertaking due to the regularity of the inspections.

Built to simplify and streamline the process, Zutec’s digital fire door audits solution replaces outdated, paper-based methods of inspections with templated checklists, photographic evidence and automated tracking that delivers comprehensive documentation, real-time reporting, and a clear audit trail of inspection information on all doors.

Fire door audits can be easily captured across buildings and units from the Zutec mobile app on or offline. This takes the pain out of the process, enabling inspectors to scan QR codes for historical information, assess door installations, mechanical components, and overall performance. Assessments and status can be provided to key stakeholders for consistent risk management that helps Asset Owners meet regulatory compliance across a portfolio.

“Traditional methods of fire door audits can be time-consuming, prone to error, and inconsistent, often leading to missed inspections, lost records, and delayed corrective actions. Without the right process, fire doors either don’t get checked or continue to fail safety standards, putting asset owners at risk of severe consequences, including legal and financial implications,” commented Emily Hopson-Hill, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer at Zutec.

Zutec’s pre-set, in-app checklists and forms, including alignment with BS 8214, guide assessors through inspections where information is synced in the Zutec Cloud for a single record of outcomes, and any issues can be identified and rectified to reduce risk. Photographic evidence can be taken and stored to show door suitability, communicate findings, recommend improvements, and ensure doors are always well maintained and fit for purpose.

With an easy-to-navigate dashboard Asset Owners get a single source truth to track and mange every fire door inspection, as well as report on and share information with owners/investors, regulators, residents, and fire services to demonstrate compliance. Additionally, Zutec’s asset register validates each property, providing an inventory of fire doors and assessments in one place. This makes it easy to understand the status of inspections, identify risks from damaged doors, and see how they are being or will be repaired and maintained to keep building occupants safe.

“At a time when asset owners are becoming increasingly accountable for safety, Zutec’s Fire Door Audits solution is designed to ease the burden of periodic fire door checks, providing a proactive, traceable approach to accurate and timely inspection management. This reduces risks, helps address potential issues quickly and effectively, and avoids non-compliance with the latest regulation,” continued Hopson-Hill.

The Fire Door Audits solution is designed for various sectors, including Build-to-Rent (BTR), Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), and Housing Associations, supporting compliance and safety management across different property types. To speak to one of our experts or request a demo, contact info@zutec.com.

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UK Landlords Face Significant Challenges to Meet 2030 EPC Standards

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:03:03 +0000

LONDON, UK. March 4th, 2025 – Landlords across the UK are facing increasing pressure to meet the government’s minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating requirements, set to come into force by 2030. With the government aiming for all rental properties to achieve a Band C EPC rating, many landlords will need to make significant investments in property upgrades to comply with the new standards.

Currently, the average EPC rating for private rental properties in the UK is Band D, meaning that a large proportion of landlords will need to undertake costly and extensive improvements to meet the new minimum requirements within the next five years. For landlords with older housing stock, such as Victorian terraces or pre-war properties, the task is even more challenging.

A report by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has highlighted the financial burden landlords will face. Upgrading a typical Band D property to Band C could cost between £5,000 and £10,000, depending on the extent of work required. For landlords with multiple properties, these costs could quickly mount up.

While some financial support is available, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, landlords have expressed concerns that these schemes may not cover the full costs. Additionally, the complexity of applying for these grants could present further challenges, particularly for smaller landlords with fewer resources.

Landlords with older properties, such as period homes and historic buildings, face additional hurdles. Retrofitting older buildings to meet modern energy standards often requires major renovations, including the installation of better insulation, window replacements, and heating system upgrades. In some cases, these improvements may be further complicated by the shortage of skilled tradespeople and ongoing supply chain issues.

Jason Harris-Cohen, Managing Director of LandlordBuyer, says, “The 2030 deadline for EPC compliance is an ambitious target. While improving energy efficiency is an important step in reducing carbon emissions, retrofitting older properties can be complex, time-consuming, and expensive. Without more comprehensive support from the government, it will be a challenge for many landlords to meet the deadline.”

Rather than scrapping the 2030 deadline, Harris-Cohen suggests a more flexible approach. “A phased timeline, starting with properties that have the lowest EPC ratings, would give landlords more time to manage the financial and logistical challenges,” he explains. “Additionally, offering more substantial financial incentives, such as tax breaks or increased grants, would help landlords make the necessary improvements.”

It’s also essential for the government to provide clearer guidance and support for landlords, as the private rental market consists of a wide range of property types, from modern flats to centuries-old houses. A one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to be effective.

As the deadline approaches, landlords are calling for more practical solutions, including increased financial support, clearer guidance, and a phased approach to meeting the EPC requirements. These measures would help alleviate the financial strain on landlords and support the broader goal of improving the energy efficiency of the private rental market.

ENDS

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Zutec Acquires Operance Securing its Leadership Position in Digital Handover and Building Safety Act Compliance Solutions in the UK Market

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 08:03:01 +0000

LONDON, UK. February 26th, 2025: Zutec, a leading provider of construction and property management software solutions in the UK and Ireland, today announced it has acquired Operance, as part of its ongoing growth strategy and commitment to the UK market.

The acquisition provides a complementary fit in terms of customers, solutions and remit, solidifying the company’s position as the leading player in Handover and Building Safety Act compliance solutions for contractors, developers, housebuilders and asset owners in the UK market. By combining forces, the two companies will drive new growth opportunities by integrating customer bases, solutions, and expertise, supporting the building life cycle to accelerate digital transformation and ensure compliance.

“As we continue investing in businesses as part of our acquisition strategy, Operance fitted our strategic objectives perfectly, with close alignment with our vision and an exciting addition to our business. We believe this collaboration will open up new opportunities for us to expand and better serve existing and new customers, setting the stage for future innovations in the construction and property technology space. We are thrilled to welcome the Operance team into Zutec and look forward to what we can deliver together in the future,” commented, Gustave Geisendorf, CEO at Zutec.

Ian Yeo, CEO at Operance, said: “Having built up the Operance business, and with a shared growth ambition, we welcome being part of Zutec. As a profitable, fast-growing business primarily focused on the UK and Ireland, this partnership with Zutec will allow us to accelerate our progress faster and provide even more value to the construction and property digital ecosystem as one company.”

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Open Property Group questions affordability of housing in England

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 15:03:03 +0000

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, UK. February 5th, 2025 – One of the UK’s leading professional house buyers, Open Property Group, has claimed that affordability remains a challenge for many aspiring homeowners due to a lack of parity between values and incomes.

Open Property Group recently looked into the continuous increase in house prices across the country.

Over the last 12 months, every region in England experienced at least a 3% increase in house prices, except London which was the only region to experience a decrease in inflation.

In comparison, annual salaries increased 5.6% in the last 12 months across England. This presents the question of whether house prices are finally becoming more affordable for new and existing homeowners.

– Yorkshire and the Humber house prices increased, on average, by 6.5%

– North East house prices increased, on average, by 5.6%

– North West house prices increased, on average, by 5.4%

– East Midlands house prices increased, on average, by 4.2%

– West Midlands house prices increased, on average, by 4.1%

– South West house prices increased, on average, by 3.8%

– South East house prices increased, on average, by 3.4%

– East of England house prices increased, on average, by 2.9%

– East of England house prices decreased, on average, by 0.1%

Jason Harris-Cohen, Managing Director of Open Property Group, who help UK homeowners sell their property fast in any scenario, said: “While salaries are growing faster than house prices in some areas, affordability remains a challenge for many aspiring homeowners due to the persistent gap between income and property values.

“Open Property Group examined the ongoing rise in house prices across England, revealing that every region experienced growth over the past year, except London, where prices slightly decreased. House price growth in the Northern powerhouse regions continues to exceed those in the South, East of England and London and yields still look fairly attractive based on lower house prices in the Northern regions.

“Annual salaries increased by 5.6% overall, outpacing house price growth in certain regions like the North East (5.6%) and the North West (5.4%). However, in areas like Yorkshire and the Humber, where house prices rose by 6.5%, affordability remains constrained.

“Although wage growth in the private sector (6.0%) and public sector (4.1%) has been notable, the increasing cost of homeownership continues to outpace the budgets of many. The question remains: how much more can salaries grow to make owning a home truly affordable across the country, whilst house prices continue to grow broadly comparably?”

ENDS

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UK Tech Startup Launches World’s First AI-Powered Photo Search for Homes

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 09:03:03 +0000

LONDON, UK. January 27th, 2025 – Today, UK tech startup Jitty launches Inspiration AI – the world’s first photo search tool for homes. The ground-breaking innovation lets browsers search through images of real homes by simply entering descriptive words – no filters needed. The AI analyses listings photos to deliver the perfect match.

Inspiration AI, developed by Jitty, the UK’s AI-powered home buying agent, marks a huge shift in how people discover their dream homes, moving beyond traditional search methods. Whether you’re looking for a “bath in the bedroom”, or “art deco interiors”, the AI can scan through images on the platform to help you discover homes with the architectural features and designs you want to find.

The new technology has been billed as a “home-inspiration playground” by testers, making it perfect for property lovers, design enthusiasts, and anyone curious about discovering interesting and standout homes on the market.

Graham Paterson, CEO of Jitty, said: “Inspiration AI isn’t just another feature – it’s a completely new way to search for homes online. It’s like having a personal property finder who listens to exactly what you want to see, and finds you homes with those features. Whether that’s sea views, church conversions, or bathroom inspiration, Inspiration AI will find those homes for you. It really is a magical experience, and we’re proud to be the first property website in the world to offer it. The future of home buying is here, and we’re just getting started.”

The process is remarkably simple, yet revolutionary. Home browsers type their desired features or styles into the search bar on Jitty for example; “green bathroom”, “wisteria” or “wine cellar”, and Inspiration AI immediately scans through thousands of property photos, matching the description to real homes on the market.

This world-first capability is now set to disrupt the global property market, positioning Jitty at the forefront of property technology innovation.

Following the success of their recent Price Guide and Pre-Market tools, Inspiration AI represents another leap forward in Jitty’s mission to transform the homebuying experience.

Beyond its ease of use, Inspiration AI helps buyers uncover hidden gems – homes that might otherwise be overlooked using conventional search methods. This innovation is particularly exciting for first-time buyers, and roomscrollers, offering a playful, interactive way to explore the market and discover unexpected treasures.

Then and now – Jitty’s AI capability is changing the way people search for homes

As the first company in the world to offer this way of searching for homes, Jitty is not just keeping pace with the market – it’s defining the future of property search on a global scale. The innovation is sure to attract international attention, revolutionising how people around the world find and buy homes.

For more information about Jitty and to experience this world-first feature for yourself, visit www.jitty,com/inspiration

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