Estates Gazette Property Podcasts

As COP26 continues in Glasgow, EG’s Sarah Jackman takes a look at how the dilapidations process can be made greener. Joining her to discuss the topic are Jon Rowling, technical partner and dilapidations specialist at TFT, Siobhan Cross, real estate dispute resolution partner at Pinsent Masons, and Allan Clark, head of sustainability and facilities compliance at Pinsent Masons. Rowling discusses why green dilapidations are receiving increased interest and highlights measures that could be adopted to make the process less wasteful, while Cross discusses how a more sustainable approach – such as retaining an existing fit out – could work from a legal perspective. Clark provides the occupier perspective and reflects on achieving the right balance between acting sustainably, while at the same time safeguarding business interests.

The industrial market in Kent is enjoying its strongest ever year thanks to ease of access and hugely competitive rental values, according to Caxtons Commercial director and head of commercial agency Mark Coxon. The Radius On-Demand Rankings for Kent reveal Caxtons Commercial has transacted almost 220,000 sq ft across 20 deals so far this year. Chief among these have been two 70,000+ sq ft lettings to Argos and DHL. Coxon says M25 industrial rents in Kent are 50% the level seen at prime sites to the north and west of London, despite journey times to the city centre being the same. Some 3.5m sq ft of industrial space was let across the county this year compared to just 850,000 sq ft last year. The biggest challenge is finding development land, something not helped by some potential sites being bought by the government for use as lorry parks.

Jess Harrold is joined by head of content Emily Wright and, dialling in from Glasgow during COP26, editor Sam McClary for a lively conversation on environmental, social and corporate governance matters. McClary sends her message to the sector that real estate can and should be leading the fight to solve the climate crisis, while Wright offers her thoughts on what ESG means for real estate. In addition, they discuss the highlights of this week's timely ESG special in the pages of EG and online.

Jess Harrold is joined by partner Michael Stacey and associate Pauline Lam, both from Russell Cooke, to discuss the recent county court ruling in Fairhurst v Woodard – a nuisance and breach of privacy claim between neighbours which involved use of Ring doorbell cameras. Stacey and Lam address the breach of privacy and data protection issues raised by the case, how they were handled by the judge, and the implications for residential landowners looking to protect their properties. In addition, they consider the position for commercial landowners.

Haunted by technical difficulties, delivery people and other distractions, Jess Harrold is joined by editor Sam McClary and residential editor Emma Rosser, all in high spirits for a Halloween episode of EG’s weekly roundup – including their bleary-eyed rundown of all the fun of the EG Awards. McClary shares her experiences of co-hosting the event with actor David Harewood, and Rosser talks through her bumper build to rent special in the latest issue of EG. But will these brave victims survive the horror of the quiz of the week?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has outlined his spending plans for a “new economy post-Covid” – but what will his Autumn Budget mean for real estate?   With business rates, housing, planning, levelling up and REIT taxes among the key points, there is plenty that the industry will need to digest. In this Budget special, news editor Pui-Guan Man is joined by Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, Mark Prisk, former housing minister, strategic adviser to Handley House and chair of Saltaire Housing and Vivienne King, chair of the Shopkeepers’ Campaign to discuss what lies in store for property – and the missed opportunities.

Jess Harrold is joined by head of content Emily Wright and EGLSM debutant Phoenix Deutsch, recruitment account manager and member of EG’s diversity and inclusion committee, for the latest weekly podcast. Deutsch talks through the extensive work being done internally on D&I at EG, including our new mission statement - and shares her own views on the state of equality in the sector. Wright shares major merger news from the world of tech, and discusses the powerful new article series Unheard Voices, which offers a "safe space" for those who have suffered from discrimination, harassment and other mistreatment in real estate to tell their stories anonymously  

Take up of logistics space in the West Midlands is at almost twice the five-year average but uncertainty created by Brexit, Covid and a global shipping crisis are increasingly forcing occupiers to ask for short term leases thus presenting difficult decisions for landlords, according to Darby Keye director Chris Keye. Darby Keye is a niche industrial specialist which has nevertheless risen to second in the Radius On Demand Industrial Rankings for the West Midlands region after transacting 605,174 sq ft of space so far this year. Only JLL has disposed of more space in the West Midlands, where geography makes it a competitive marketplace for the logistics sector. Keye says pent up demand, exacerbated by a shortage of available space, means that landlords are frequently able to hang out for long term leases, but some units are being taken for as little as three months as occupiers look for short term solutions to ride out the current supply chain chaos. He believes the industry needs to work more closely with occupiers to deliver space best suited for their future needs.

This week, Bricks & Mortar host Sarah Jackman is joined by Hollis’s head of ESG Consulting, Katherine Beisler, for a catch-up on its new junior board. Established earlier this year with the intention of nurturing talent and increasing diversity of thought within the organisation, Beisler reflects on her own experience of being elected to the 12-strong board. It’s an opportunity that has helped her to foster greater contacts within the organisation and hear a range of different perspectives, as well as broadening her understanding of what’s going on within the business. Tune in to hear the full discussion.

“You can’t avoid it. It is here to stay.” John Davies, head of sustainability at Derwent London, knows that the ESG agenda is now inescapable for real estate companies large and small.  In this 30-minute podcast, recorded as part of EG’s upcoming ESG special, deputy editor Tim Burke is joined by Davies, DWF senior partner Melanie Williams, Stride Treglown sustainability director John Wright, and Evora co-founder Ed Gabbitas to discuss the challenges in embedding an ESG strategy into a property business — and their advice for businesses making their first moves in this area. For more ESG news, analysis and commentary from EG, head to https://www.egi.co.uk/sustainability/