Specialist Works in Newbury
Some property challenges need more than a standard management contract. A major maintenance project that requires proper tendering and legal compliance. A Right to Manage application that leaseholders want to pursue but don't know how to navigate. An insurance policy that may no longer be fit for purpose.
Fortem Property provides specialist works services to leaseholders, directors, and residents' management companies across Newbury and West Berkshire — either as a standalone instruction or as the start of a longer management relationship. We bring the same depth of expertise and the same personal approach to every engagement, regardless of its scope.
Planned & Reactive Maintenance
When a residential block in Newbury requires significant works — roof replacement, external repairs, drainage works, window replacements, or communal area refurbishments — the process of getting those works done properly is more involved than many directors and leaseholders realise.
For works above the statutory threshold, a Section 20 consultation must be carried out — a formal legal process that gives leaseholders the right to be consulted before major expenditure is committed. Done incorrectly, it exposes directors to legal challenge and can limit the amount recoverable through service charge. Done correctly, it protects everyone and ensures the project proceeds on a solid legal footing.
Fortem Property manages the entire major works process for Newbury blocks: preparing specifications, obtaining competitive tenders from qualified contractors, conducting the Section 20 consultation precisely as required by law, and overseeing the works through to completion. We deal with contractors directly so that directors and residents can focus on their daily lives, not their building project.
For urgent and reactive maintenance, we operate a 24-hour reporting facility via Fixflo — ensuring that problems are addressed promptly and nothing is left to deteriorate unnecessarily.
Tailored Packages for Right to Manage
The Right to Manage (RTM) is a statutory right available to qualifying leaseholders in England that allows them to take control of their building's management — removing it from the freeholder or their appointed managing agent without having to prove fault or purchase the freehold. For leaseholders in Newbury who are unhappy with the current management of their building, RTM can represent a genuinely transformative step.
The process is, however, procedurally precise. The RTM company must be correctly constituted, notices must be drafted in the correct form and served on the right parties in the right sequence, and any error can be used to challenge the validity of the application.
Fortem Property supports Newbury leaseholders through every stage of the RTM process: advising on whether the building qualifies, helping to form and register the RTM company, preparing and serving all required notices, and working alongside solicitors to bring the application to a successful conclusion. Once RTM is secured, we can take over the management of your building — providing experienced, transparent management from the moment you gain control.
Buildings Insurance & Risk Management
Buildings insurance is not an area where a residential block can afford to cut corners — but it is an area where many blocks in Newbury are either overpaying for inadequate cover, or holding policies that haven't been properly reviewed in years.
We work with specialist property insurance brokers to assess your current arrangements and, where necessary, obtain fresh quotations that reflect your building's actual profile, age, construction type, and risk considerations. We ensure that the right cover is in place — buildings, public liability, and legal expenses — review and renew policies annually, and manage any claims on your behalf from start to finish.
Darren Bennett
Co-Founder & Managing Director.
Omar Al Mutawa
Co-Founder.
Senior Block Manager.
Block Manager.
Carrieanne Lacey
Iuliana Banica
Bigger isn’t always better.
Many leaseholders are growing tired of large, faceless management companies where getting an answer feels like pulling teeth.
As a smaller firm, we’re different.
We pride ourselves on being accessible and responsive across the UK.
You will have the direct phone number of the person who manages your block. We listen to your needs and tailor our management package accordingly.
Our size means that every client is important.
Our experience ensures that you benefit from comprehensive knowledge of property law, accounting, building maintenance and now the requirements of the Building Safety Act.
No task is too small.
Whether you require full block management or support with specific tasks, we are here to help your building run smoothly and your community thrive – whether your building is a modest conversion or a high-rise tower.
Why Newbury Leaseholders Choose Fortem for Specialist Works
Section 20 compliance: protecting directors and leaseholders through the full consultation process
Competitive procurement: properly tendered major works with qualified, vetted contractors
RTM expertise: from eligibility check to notice service to handover and ongoing management
Insurance review: ensuring your Newbury block has the right cover at the right price
Direct professional contact: a named person handling your instruction, not a ticketing system
Local contractor relationships: trusted trades across West Berkshire and neighbouring counties
Transparent throughout: clear reporting on costs, timescales, and outcomes
Our specialist works services extend across Newbury and the wider West Berkshire area, including Thatcham, Hungerford, Kingsclere, Wash Common, Greenham, and the surrounding villages. We also cover neighbouring areas including Basingstoke, Reading, and Andover.
Get in Touch
If you have a major works project to manage, are exploring the Right to Manage for your Newbury block, or want your insurance arrangements independently reviewed, we'd welcome a conversation.
Call us: 020 3725 6755
Email: hello@fortemproperty.co.uk
No matter the size, our promise remains the same: clear communication, efficient management, and personal service.
We work across all building heights throughout England, tailoring our approach to the unique needs of each building.