Author: Lucy Contrino

Open Property Group have analysed data which shows property title fraud has surged by 78% in the past 12 months. This marks the biggest spike in fraudulent property activity in two decades. As criminals increasingly target landlords, vulnerable homeowners, and unmonitored titles, thousands of people are at risk of losing their homes, often without knowing until it’s too late. Experts say the victims are most often absent owners, such as landlords or people living abroad, who may not regularly monitor their property title. What does the key data show? Jason Harris-Cohen, Managing Director of Open Property Group said: “This sharp rise…

Getting a foot on the property ladder in London has become increasingly difficult. Soaring prices, rising rents, and tighter lending criteria have left many first-time buyers priced out of the capital. For those who still want a short commute and decent amenities without breaking the bank, Dartford has emerged as a serious contender. But is it really the answer for first-time buyers who can’t afford London? Let’s take a closer look at what Dartford offers, why it’s becoming so popular, and whether it’s the right move for people starting their homeownership journey. Why Dartford? Located in Kent, Dartford sits just…

As the gardening season and spring approaches, Neil McKenzie from Halton Stairlifts issues a warning about the hefty fines for improperly disturbing wildlife, emphasising the hidden habitats in your garden that you might not be aware of. Strict regulations are in place to protect the UK’s diverse wildlife, especially during the critical spring breeding season. “Many enthusiasts do not realise that their garden activities could disturb protected wildlife, some of which reside in less obvious places,” states McKenzie. This can lead to fines of up to £5,000 per incident or individual animal affected. Here’s what gardeners need to know about the potential…

HC-One Summerville Care Home, in Warrington, Cheshire, has been marking National Pizza Day which takes place on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Residents and colleagues at the HC-One care home enjoyed celebrating the fun day dedicated to one of the world’s most beloved foods – pizza. The team at Summerville organised a ‘Pizza and Pop Day’ to say a big thank you to colleagues for all of their hard work and achievements over the past year. A number of different pizzas were ordered from the home’s local pizzeria, including classic favourites as well as a few new pizzas to try and explore…

Whether you’re jetting off on an exotic adventure or staying on home soil to explore the UK, a summer holiday is the perfect opportunity to indulge. And for many of us, that means eating out, sampling local specialities and picking up some foodie treats to take home. But if you’re concerned about farmed animal welfare, it can be tricky to know what food to avoid when you’re away from home, according to award-winning eco chef and food writer Tom Hunt. Tom, author of cookbook Eating for Pleasure, People & Planet and food columnist, has teamed up with RSPCA Assured to help holiday-makers…

Health and Safety Expert Warns Against Dangerous Chemical Mixing Trends Derek Bruce, a health and safety expert at SMSTS Course, is warning Brits about the hidden dangers of viral cleaning hacks on TikTok that could lead to toxic gas exposure, explosions, and severe acid burns. The latest wave of social media cleaning trends sees users mixing common household chemicals to achieve sparkling results, but the reality is far more sinister. Unknowingly, many are creating highly volatile reactions that could send them straight to A&E. “Some of these so-called ‘cleaning hacks’ are nothing short of chemical warfare in your own home,” says…

Higgins Partnerships has been appointed by Milton Keynes City Council to deliver 66 new council homes at the former Cripps Lodge sheltered housing site in Netherfield, Buckinghamshire. The development will transform the former care facility into a high-quality, sustainable residential neighbourhood, supporting the Council’s long-term strategy for regeneration, housing growth and inclusive communities. It will provide a mix of one-to-five-bedroom homes, including bungalows, two and three-storey houses and a split-level apartment building with plant and cycle storage at lower ground level, and residential units above. Designed to reflect local housing needs, the homes will benefit from private gardens, off-road parking…

A new ranking has revealed the five most dangerous buildings in the UK to maintain, drawing attention to the safety challenges faced by those working at height on some of the country’s most iconic towers. Published by powered access specialists Access Platform Sales (APS), the analysis ranks buildings with known maintenance risks and structural issues, using publicly documented incidents as well as industry insights. Buildings featured in the list include The Leadenhall Building, also known as “The Cheesegrater”, where fractured structural bolts triggered a £6 million replacement programme, and 8 Canada Square (HSBC Tower), the site of a fatal crane…

Game-Changing Cybersecurity Partnership  The Indianapolis Colts have bolstered their cybersecurity defense with ThreatLocker®, a leading Zero Trust Endpoint Protection Platform, in a new partnership that combines advanced Zero Trust security with elite sports performance.   As a proud partner of the Colts, ThreatLocker provides comprehensive cybersecurity protection, strengthening the Colts’ cybersecurity posture and raising awareness among football fans and IT professionals about the importance of endpoint protection. ThreatLocker security solutions will protect the Colts’ endpoints wherever they are, whether on the practice field, at training camp, or traveling across the globe. “Our fans, partners and team trust us with their…

Utilities specialist, Power On, today announces the energising of the next significant stages of Brent Cross Town, an entirely new community with a vision to be net zero carbon by 2030. A huge undertaking, Power On commenced work on Brent Cross Town in 2019 and there are over 70 buildings to be developed. Today, Power On announces the energising of Plot 14, a residential block composed of three buildings that will provide 286 new homes, ranging from studios to three-bed units, along with three maisonettes on the ground floor; and Plot 25, student accommodation providing around 660 private rooms, with…