News
by KerryOAK | Oct 27, 2025 | Seller, Landlord, Block Management, News, Buyer
Energy efficiency has become one of the most important factors in the property market — not just for tenants and buyers, but for landlords too. With government targets to make the UK’s housing stock greener and more efficient, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)...
by KerryOAK | Oct 16, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller, Landlord, Block Management
If you own a flat in a managed building, you’ve probably heard the term “Section 20” mentioned at some point — often when larger repair or maintenance projects are being planned. It can sound technical, but understanding what Section 20 means (and why it matters) is...
by KerryOAK | Oct 16, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller
When you think about selling your home, you might imagine a few photos, a listing online, and a buyer appearing soon after. But behind every successful sale, there’s a lot more happening — and your estate agent is at the centre of it all. At Oakfield, we take pride in...
by KerryOAK | Oct 13, 2025 | Tenant, News, Landlord
For many tenants, choosing where to live isn’t just about finding the right property — it’s about finding a home where everything runs smoothly. From clear communication to quick maintenance responses, the experience you have during your tenancy can make all the...
by KerryOAK | Oct 6, 2025 | News, Block Management
When you buy a property in a block of flats, one of the most important things you should check is whether the block has a professional managing agent in place. It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re house-hunting, but it can make all the...
by KerryOAK | Oct 6, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller
Technology has changed the way property is marketed and sold. Online listings, virtual tours and digital paperwork all play an important role in today’s market. But at the heart of estate agency, the real question is whether it’s still about people — or just about...
by KerryOAK | Sep 30, 2025 | News
Exciting times at Station Plaza! The development is moving at pace, and every week brings new milestones to celebrate. Over half of the flats are now let and occupied, and it’s wonderful to see the building transforming from a construction project into a vibrant place...
by KerryOAK | Sep 30, 2025 | News, Landlord, Tenant, Block Management
Across the UK, the Build-to-Rent (BTR) sector has been expanding at pace. These purpose-built rental developments are reshaping the way people rent, offering high-quality homes with professional management and community-focused amenities. But what does this mean for...
by KerryOAK | Sep 29, 2025 | Tenant, Block Management, News, Buyer, Seller, Landlord
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, now is the perfect time to prepare your home for autumn. Taking a few simple steps now can help keep your property warm, safe, and efficient throughout the colder months. Here’s a quick checklist to guide you: 1....
by KerryOAK | Sep 22, 2025 | News, Block Management
Managing residential blocks can be complex. Between balancing resident expectations, keeping up with regulations, and maintaining buildings, challenges can quickly mount up. The good news? With the right systems, experience, and proactive approach, these problems...
by KerryOAK | Sep 16, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller, Landlord
A recent survey revealed that just one in three vendors would recommend their estate agent. For an industry built on trust and reputation, that figure is far too low. But here’s the important part: it doesn’t have to be this way. The frustrations sellers report are...
by KerryOAK | Sep 16, 2025 | Seller, Landlord, Block Management, News
When you own a flat in a block or serve as a freeholder, the role of your managing agent is critical. A proactive managing agent doesn’t just “keep things ticking over” — they actively protect and enhance the value of your property. From compliance to communication,...
by KerryOAK | Sep 11, 2025 | Seller, Landlord, Block Management, News
Across England today, there are more than 260,000 long-term empty homes—properties that have stood vacant for over six months. When you add in all those that are temporarily vacant, second homes, or awaiting sale, the figure rises to almost one million. At a time when...
by KerryOAK | Sep 9, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller
The Market Is Speaking: Overpricing Means Delays (or No Sale) In 2025, the UK property market is grappling with an avalanche of price reductions—a clear sign that many vendors have misjudged buyer appetites. In April alone, there were over 104,000 price cuts—more than...
by KerryOAK | Sep 3, 2025 | Block Management, News, Seller, Landlord
When it comes to block management, nothing is more important than the health, safety, and wellbeing of the people who live in and visit your building. That’s why The Property Institute (TPI) sets strict professional standards for its members, ensuring that vital...
by KerryOAK | Aug 27, 2025 | News, Landlord, Tenant, Block Management
Back in our earlier blog, we outlined the proposed changes under the Renters’ Rights Bill. At that stage, the legislation was still making its way through the early stages of Parliament. Fast forward to now: the Bill has passed through the House of Lords and is...
by KerryOAK | Aug 26, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller, Landlord
When it comes to selling or letting your home, photographs are often the first thing people see — and sometimes the only thing they look at before deciding whether to book a viewing. That’s why great photography is essential. Too many agents simply turn up, point the...
by KerryOAK | Aug 21, 2025 | News, Block Management
Annual General Meetings (AGMs) are a core part of residential block management, yet many leaseholders and residents often overlook their importance. Far from being a formality, AGMs are a key opportunity for residents and directors to stay informed, make decisions,...
by KerryOAK | Aug 19, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller, Landlord, Tenant
The mortgage world is always evolving — and right now, there are some exciting changes creating real opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Thanks to our close working relationship with Connect Mortgage Services, we’re able to share the latest insights and explain...
by KerryOAK | Aug 18, 2025 | Landlord, News
For many landlords, the idea of a tenant not paying rent is one of the biggest worries — and unfortunately, it’s a situation that can happen to anyone. But with the right protection in place, what could be a financial nightmare can quickly become a manageable...
by KerryOAK | Aug 12, 2025 | Block Management, News, Buyer, Seller, Landlord, Tenant
The property industry in England — encompassing estate agents, lettings agents, and managing agents — remains notably unregulated. In contrast to professions like law or healthcare, anyone can operate in this sector without formal qualifications. This lack of...
by KerryOAK | Aug 7, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller
When it comes to selling your home, every viewing matters — but what truly makes a difference is the feedback received afterwards. Viewing feedback provides valuable insights into how buyers are responding to your property, which can help shape a more effective...
by KerryOAK | Aug 6, 2025 | News, Buyer, Landlord, Tenant, Block Management
Let’s face it — being a landlord isn’t always smooth sailing.Void periods, tricky tenancies, rising compliance demands, unexpected maintenance issues… it can sometimes feel like a never-ending cycle, especially in a shifting rental market. But the right letting agent...
by KerryOAK | Jul 31, 2025 | News, Seller, Landlord, Block Management
In recent years, the topic of service charges has come under increasing scrutiny from both leaseholders and regulatory bodies. With the cost of living still impacting many households and growing expectations around transparency and value for money, there’s a clear...
by KerryOAK | Jul 30, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller
A recent article from Estate Agent Today has highlighted something many movers already know all too well: dealing with a conveyancer is often the most stressful part of buying or selling a home. In fact, nearly half of home movers cited this stage of the process as...
by KerryOAK | Jul 28, 2025 | News, Seller, Landlord
Awaab’s Law, introduced under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, follows the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020 due to prolonged exposure to mould. The legislation enforces strict new timeframes for tackling serious hazards in social housing, but...
by KerryOAK | Jul 22, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller, Tenant
The property market has received a welcome boost this summer with the launch of the 2025 Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, a new permanent government initiative designed to help more people get on — or move up — the property ladder. At Oakfield, we’re already seeing growing...
by KerryOAK | Jul 14, 2025 | Block Management, News, Landlord
If you live in a leasehold flat within a block of flats, you may have heard about the Right to Manage (RTM)—a legal process that allows leaseholders to take control of the management of their building, without having to prove any fault with the current managing agent...
by KerryOAK | Jul 11, 2025 | News, Landlord
When a tenant reports a problem, the instinct for many agents or landlords might be to pick up the phone and call a contractor straight away. But the best letting agents know that not every issue requires immediate professional intervention — and sometimes a little...
by KerryOAK | Jul 11, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller, Block Management
At a time when the market is showing signs of hesitation, one thing remains true: motivated sellers need motivated buyers—and the bridge between them is built on accurate pricing and smart negotiation. If you’re thinking about selling, you’ve probably...
by KerryOAK | Jul 7, 2025 | News, Seller, Landlord, Tenant
The Renters’ Rights Bill has passed its Committee Stage in the House of Lords and has had a number of recent report stage debates and is set to return for a further debate on 15th. While it’s unlikely the Bill will pass before Parliament’s summer recess (22 July – 1...
by KerryOAK | Jul 3, 2025 | Seller, Landlord, Block Management, News
In residential block management, regular site inspections are essential — yet they’re often overlooked or reduced to a quick tick-box exercise. Inspections that are well-planned and actually happen can make all the difference when it comes to the safety, upkeep, and...
by KerryOAK | Jul 1, 2025 | Buyer, Seller, News
When it comes to selling your home, first impressions aren’t just important — they’re everything. Buyers often make a decision within the first few minutes of stepping through the door (or even before), which means styling your home for viewings is a key...
by KerryOAK | Jun 25, 2025 | News, Seller, Landlord
A major change is coming for landlords across the UK. From April 2026, HMRC will begin rolling out a requirement for landlords to report their income and expenses every three months. This forms part of the government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative, which...
by KerryOAK | Jun 23, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller, Landlord, Tenant, Block Management
When it comes to property, there’s one phrase that never goes out of style: location, location, location. But why does it matter so much? In East Sussex, it’s not just about where you live — it’s about how you live. Whether you’re looking to buy, rent, or...
by KerryOAK | Jun 20, 2025 | News, Seller, Landlord, Block Management
For leaseholders and property managers alike, major works and Section 20 consultations are important but often misunderstood parts of block management. Whether it’s a roof replacement, external decoration, or structural repairs, knowing your rights and...
by KerryOAK | Jun 17, 2025 | News, Landlord, Tenant
Letting a property can be a rewarding investment, but like any investment, it comes with its risks. Whether you’re a new landlord or have an established portfolio, protecting your income and legal position is crucial—and that’s where Rent and Legal Cover comes in....
by KerryOAK | Jun 11, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller, Block Management
If you’re thinking of moving this year, you’re not alone — and you’re not late. Despite ongoing shifts in the economy and housing policy, the property market in the UK remains active, stable, and full of opportunity for those ready to make a move....
by KerryOAK | Jun 2, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller, Block Management
Buying or selling a leasehold property in a block of flats has often been complicated by cladding concerns and the need for EWS1 forms. But a new statement from UK Finance, supported by major lenders and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), brings some...
by KerryOAK | May 30, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller, Landlord, Tenant, Block Management
We’re excited to bring you the latest news on one of Hastings’ most talked-about new developments — Station Plaza. Situated in a prime location right next to Hastings train station and just a short walk from the seafront, this project has been attracting attention...
by KerryOAK | May 29, 2025 | Buyer, Seller, Landlord, Block Management, News
Whether you’re selling, letting, or managing a property, you’ve likely come across the term EPC—but what exactly is it, and why does it matter so much? At Oakfield Estate Agents, we work with landlords, sellers, and buyers across East Sussex, and EPCs (Energy...
by KerryOAK | May 19, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller
Whether you’re thinking of selling now or just watching the market, it pays to understand what today’s buyers are really looking for. At Oakfield Estate Agents, we’re speaking to buyers every day—across East Sussex and we’re seeing clear patterns in what’s...
by KerryOAK | May 14, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller, Landlord, Block Management
Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, the government has introduced tougher regulations to ensure buildings—especially high-rise and multi-occupancy blocks—meet the highest fire safety standards. The Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety (England)...
by KerryOAK | May 14, 2025 | News, Landlord
The Government is preparing to extend the Decent Homes Standard to the private rental sector—and that means landlords need to start preparing now. At Oakfield Estate Agents, we’re here to help you stay ahead of the changes and protect your investment. What Is the...
by KerryOAK | May 2, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller
When it comes to selling your home, pricing is everything. But there’s a common trap we see many sellers fall into: listing just a little higher to “test the market,” with the idea of lowering the price later if needed. It might seem like a safe strategy — but in...
by KerryOAK | Apr 30, 2025 | News, Landlord, Tenant
Exciting news for Hastings residents and prospective tenants: the first phase of the Station Plaza development is approaching completion, with many tenants set to move in next week. Managed by Oakfield Estate Agents, this project promises to enhance the town’s...
by KerryOAK | Apr 23, 2025 | News, Block Management
The leasehold system in England and Wales has long been a topic of debate, with many leaseholders feeling at a disadvantage due to escalating ground rents, service charges, and limited control over their properties. However, significant reforms are underway that aim...
by KerryOAK | Apr 22, 2025 | News, Landlord, Tenant
Having a pet is one of life’s greatest joys! Just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you have to live without your furry (or unfurry) companions. With more people renting long-term, finding a pet-friendly rental is a top priority for many tenants. In this article,...
by KerryOAK | Apr 15, 2025 | News, Buyer, Seller, Landlord, Tenant
If you’re considering buying a home or remortgaging in 2025, there’s some good news. According to the latest Moneyfacts UK Mortgage Trends Treasury Report, the number of mortgage deals available—particularly for those with smaller deposits—is the highest...
by KerryOAK | Apr 10, 2025 | News, Block Management
Effective block management is not just about maintaining a building—it’s also about managing the finances that sustain it. One of the most crucial aspects of block management is ensuring financial transparency and accountability, especially when it comes to budgeting,...