RPSA Articles

Earlier this month, RPSA Chairman Andrew McColl and former Chairman Alan Milstein attended The Property Institute’s (TPI) 2025 Annual Conference. Held at the prestigious QEII Centre in Westminster, the event welcomed nearly 900 property professionals, highlighting the sector's growing influence and increasingly collaborative outlook.

"I was delighted to accept the kind invitation from Alan Milstein to attend this important conference," said Andrew McColl. "It was a very productive day, which also included attendance at two other property events, followed by a very enjoyable pint with fellow RPSA members at the 'Conveyancing Matters' meeting."

About The Property Institute

The Property Institute is the UK’s leading professional body for residential block and estate management. Formed from the merger of ARMA and IRPM, TPI champions best practice, professional development, and ethical leadership within a sector responsible for managing millions of homes. Under the astute leadership of CEO Andrew Bulmer, formerly of RICS, TPI continues to set the standard for property management in the UK.

“We were delighted to reconnect with Andrew Bulmer,” stated Andrew McColl. “There’s a strong alignment in our values and goals, and we’re already exploring collaborative opportunities between our organisations. I’m optimistic about joint initiatives that will genuinely benefit both our members and the wider public.”

Key Insights from the Morning Sessions

Although RPSA representatives attended only the morning sessions, the speaker lineup was both insightful and impactful:

• Peter Apps, journalist and author of Show Me the Bodies: How We Let Grenfell Happen, delivered a powerful address titled “Black Elephants:      Grenfell and Preventing the Next Disaster.” His profound exploration of systemic failure and the human cost of regulatory complacency was both moving and thought-provoking.
• Sandra Ashcroft of the Health and Safety Executive provided a timely update on the Building Safety Act 2022, offering practical insights into its implementation and what it means for duty holders. You can read the RPSA’s blog reflections on the Building Safety Act here
  

Other notable speakers included:

• Martin Boyd, Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, with an impassioned call for urgent reform in leasehold legislation.
• Kate Faulkner OBE, The Property Ombudsman & HBSG, championing stronger cross-sector collaboration.
• Troy Maria, whose high-energy session explored competence, ethics, and the standards expected of professionals in a modernised sector.

Panel sessions addressed pressing themes such as data-driven asset management, digitisation, and the evolution of competency frameworks, offering a clear glimpse into the sector’s future direction.

Legal and Regulatory Updates

The conference provided crucial legal and regulatory updates, essential for surveyors and property managers:

Leasehold  and Freehold Reform Act:

• The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 introduces significant changes, particularly regarding service charge transparency and limitations on legal costs.
• Key reforms include extending regulation to fixed service charges, requiring new service charge notices and demands, and enhancing the First-tier Tribunal's enforcement powers.
• The act also addresses limitations on a landlord’s ability to charge insurance costs and mandates the publication of administration charge schedules.
• Controversial clauses related to legal costs and the right of tenants to claim litigation costs from landlords were also discussed.Building      Safety Act 2022:
• Sandra Ashcroft’s update on the Building Safety Act 2022 emphasised the importance of competence, the role of the client in ensuring safety, and the duties of Accountable Persons (APs) and Principal Accountable Persons       (PAPs) in managing building safety risks.
• The Act aims to improve competence and standards across the built environment industry and ensure accountability for those involved in building design, construction, and management.
• The new framework highlighted a stringent regulatory regime for higher-risk buildings and clients' responsibilities to appoint competent individuals and organisations as critical components.

The Importance of Procurement Skills

• Mark Snelling's session underscored that procurement skills are      'non-negotiable' for property professionals.
• Property managers must comprehensively understand procurement processes to ensure compliance, manage risks, and deliver value.
• The TPI Model Management Agreement places specific obligations on managing agents, including contract management and service procurement, making procurement competence essential.

An Inspirational Setting

The sheer scale of the event, with close to 900 delegates filling the main auditorium, created a genuinely inspiring atmosphere.

“It certainly gave us food for thought,” added Andrew McColl. “Imagine an RPSA gathering of similar ambition—uniting surveyors, stakeholders, and industry partners in a national celebration of independent expertise. It’s a bold thought, but one worth entertaining.”

Looking Ahead

The RPSA team left feeling energised, well-informed, and enthusiastic about what lies ahead. Events like the TPI Annual Conference are a timely reminder of the value of cross-professional dialogue and the importance of shared learning environments.

“Our sincere thanks to the team at The Property Institute for their warm welcome,” said Andrew McColl. “We look forward to sharing more with our members as discussions evolve and collaborative efforts take shape.”