Social housing in North West
Brabners LLP
Brabners LLP acts for regional and national registered providers across the full spectrum of matters; the team has a home ownership conveyancing team, handles a range of housing management and litigation work, and is active across the full range of property, and landlord and tenant litigation. Alistair Fletcher is 'extremely experienced and incredibly knowledgeable'; Ian Alderson heads the housing and regeneration department; Angela Clearkin heads the development team; and Rupert Gill provides corporate, regulatory and governance advice. Senior associates Josephine Morton and Catherine Fearon, who handle contentious housing management work, and Lisa Robotham, who handles non-contentious real estate mandates, are also singled out.
Practice head(s):
Alistair Fletcher; Ian Alderson; Angela Clearkin; Lisa Robotham; Andrius Roos; Peter Barlow
Other key lawyers:
Catherine Fearon; Suzanne Gregson; Rupert Gill; Josephine Morton
Testimonials
The quality of provision of this firm makes it the leading specialist firm in Liverpool, and a clear leader in the North
Ian Alderson is first class, reliable and delivers pragmatic advice
Rupert Gill is excellent at providing commercial advice that finds a practical solution in a regulatory environment in order to achieve the stated objective whilst minimising risk
All of the lawyers are extremely accessible and prompt in their service
Alistair Fletcher is a very wise and knowledgeable lawyer, and his ability to impart his legal knowledge is superb
Key clients
Liverpool Mutual Homes (now Torus62)
Helena Partnerships (now Torus62)
Golden Gates (now Torus62 )
Regenda
The Riverside Group
Leeds Federated
Progress Housing
Adactus Housing Association
Chorley Community Services
North West Housing Services
Cobalt
Eldonian
Community Housing Associations North West
Halton Housing
LMH Developments
Castles and Coasts Housing Association
Prima Group
ComMutual
Liverpool City Council
Merston
Sovini
South Liverpool Housing Association
Your Housing Group
Plus Dane
Arcon
Symphony Housing Group (now ONWARD)
Work highlights
- Advised on the amalgamation of Liverpool Mutual Homes Limited with three registered providers within the Torus Group to create Torus62, one of the largest registered providers in the region.
- Advised on a significant regeneration transaction for the council, involving a key city centre site.
- Advised on a high-value acquisition of affordable housing on a mixed-use development by the Jigsaw Group.
- Advised Liverpool Mutual Homes (now Torus62) on a £20m investment in a key landmark site.
- Advised Prima Group on its conversion to community benefit society and exempt charity status.
Croftons Solicitors LLP
Specialist housing firm Croftons Solicitors LLP is 'first-rate' for social housing work; it handles a broad spectrum of work across housing and leasehold management, property and development, governance and regulation, and is regularly instructed by a number of regional and national registered providers. The 'experienced' Arthur Chapman jointly heads the property team with Julie Loggenberg and the 'exceptionally able' Melanie Dirom is head of housing and leasehold management. Jo Loake is head of governance and regulation and Simon Leighton is the overall department head and managing partner.
Practice head(s):
Simon Leighton; Melanie Dirom; Arthur Chapman; Julie Loggenberg; Bob Agnew; Jo Loake; Helen Kevens
Testimonials
The firm offers specialist social housing sector expertise
Key clients
Jigsaw Group (prev Adactus)
Trafford Housing Trust
Salix Homes
Plus Dane
Muir Group
Irwell Valley Housing
Victory Housing
Calico
Guinness Partnerships
Arawak Walton
Arcon
Aspire Housing
Kirklees Council
Wythenshawe CHG
Southway Housing
MJHA
Johnnie Johnson
North Wales HA
Work highlights
- Advised Salix Homes on a landmark Court of Appeal case that will clarify the law around expired possession orders and rent arrears.
- Advised a consortium of six registered providers, in a joint project with Manchester City Council, to provide much-needed homes for homeless and vulnerable families in Manchester.
- Advised Salix on a complex section 20 consultation matter relating to major improvement works on four high-rise tower blocks.
- Advised Victory Housing Trust, which was seeking possession of a property because of a breach of tenancy and anti-social behaviour.
- Advised North Wales Housing, which was seeking mandatory possession of a property due to allegations it was being used for Class A drug use.
Forbes Solicitors
Forbes Solicitors offers 'specialist' social housing advice across litigation, property, corporate, leasehold, development, employment, procurement and governance matters. The team acts for a raft of registered providers across the region and beyond. Jennifer Hankinson heads the housing and regeneration property team and Stuart Penswick heads the housing litigation team. The practice, which is praised for being 'very reactive to urgent issues', also includes Lachlan McLean and Shirley Faragher. Recently promoted partner Lucie Cocker stands out for her contentious expertise, while Sarah Rogers, who specialises in housing management, tenancy enforcement and anti-social behaviour, is also noted. Kirsty Varley recently joined from Croftons Solicitors LLP as an associate solicitor.
Practice head(s):
Stuart Penswick; Daniel Milnes; Jonathan Holden; Lachlan McLean; Shirley Faragher
Other key lawyers:
Lucie Cocker; Jennifer Hankinson; Sarah Rogers; Kirsty Varley
Testimonials
‘The firm has a knowledgeable and experienced team.’
‘Individuals within the team are approachable and provide options for consideration with clear advice’
‘Jennifer Hankinson provides great assistance and delivers advice clearly and within agreed timescales’
‘The team stands out for its pro-active approach and professionalism’
‘Lachlan McLean is knowledgeable and highly professional’
‘Sarah Rogers explains processes and legal terms without jargon’
‘The level of knowledge, and the level of service, that Lachlan McLean provides is outstanding. I can always rely on Lachlan to provide excellent advice. Lachlan has an extremely high work ethic and whatever he says he will do, he commits to.’
Key clients
Together Housing
Guinness Partnership
Riverside
Trafford Housing Trust
Community Gateway
Linconshire Housing Partnership
Mosscare St Vincent’s (MSV)
Onward
EMH
ONGO
Regenda
Progress
Torus
Acis
South Yorkshire Housing
Midland Heart
Places for People
CHIC Framework (over 50 nationwide members)
Leeds Federated Housing
One Manchester
First Choice Homes Oldham
Work highlights
- Represented specialist leasehold management association Onward Housing Group in First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) involving over 200 respondents.
- Instructed by Together Housing to pursue possession proceedings against a vulnerable tenant causing ASB, who was diagnosed with MS and who was in a wheelchair.
- Advised Southway Housing Trust on back-to-back purchase of a brownfield site for the sum of £500,000 under the terms of a development services agreement.
- Instructed by Together Housing Association Limited to consolidate their suite of Right to Buy and Right to Acquire documentation.
- Assisted Southway with their ‘back to back’ acquisition of a site in Manchester.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Trowers & Hamlins LLP is engaged by a raft of housing associations and local authority clients on a gamut of issues with expertise across housing management, regulatory, governance, joint ventures investment, finance and funding work. The team is also experienced in development and regeneration projects in the sector. Housing and regeneration head Suzanne Benson also heads the consumer credit and FCA regulatory practice, and leads the sales and home ownership team. The 'brilliant' Richard St John Williams, Janet Winrow, who leads on major regeneration schemes, and Melanie Comer, who heads the real estate finance security team, are also noted. Senior associate Tom Wainwright handles governance, corporate and contracts work.
Practice head(s):
Suzanne Benson
Other key lawyers:
Richard St John Williams; Janet Winrow; Melanie Comer; Tom Wainwright; Ru Anwar; Louise Robinson
Testimonials
The team stands out for its strong social housing sector knowledge
It has the ability to set out complex issues in a clear manner
The team’s flexibility means that it can respond to fast changing situations
Melanie Comer is an exceptional lawyer
The team has an exceptional grasp of issues facing the sector
Key clients
Homes England
Great Places Housing Group
Trafford Housing Trust
Onward Group
Community Gateway
The Guinness Partnership
Clarion Housing Group
South Liverpool Homes
Bromford Housing Group
WM Housing Group
Peabody Trust
Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust
Accent Group
Wirral Partnership Homes (t/a Magenta Homes)
Rowlinson Construction
Your Housing
Stockport Homes
Hightown Housing Association
Cross Keys Homes
Network Homes
Heylo Housing
Orbit Grouo
South Yorkshire Housing
Work highlights
- The team is advising on the establishment of a joint venture between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and ten members of the Greater Manchester Housing Partnership.
- The real estate finance security team advised on all the property work for the amalgamation of Peabody Trust, Gallions Housing Association and Family Mosaic Housing.
- The team provided grant funding agreement advice to Homes England on its project to invest grant funding to deliver up to 32,000 housing starts on site by March 2021.
- The team was instructed to act for Onward Homes on the acquisition and development of a site in Liverpool.
- Acted for Stockport Homes Group on the acquisition of the Tatton Cinema site in Gatley, Stockport from Dickens Group.
BLM
BLM regularly represents social landlords in housing management matters, and it stands out for its litigation expertise. The team handles a range of mandates involving anti-social behaviour, disrepair, housing fraud, inquests and regulatory matters. The practice has recently broadened and is also able to offer property and commercial advice to social housing clients, which includes advising on development and regeneration projects, acquisitions, finance and governance matters. Matthew Hyam in Liverpool leads the housing management and litigation team and commercial advisory head Stephen Lintott is experienced in housing projects.
Practice head(s):
Matthew Hyam; Stephen Lintott
Key clients
Urban Splash
First Choice Homes
The Riverside Group
Halton Housing Trust
Places for People Group
Peaks & Plains Housing Trust
Wolverhampton Homes
Clarion Housing Group
Sanctuary Housing Group
Phoenix Community Housing Group
Onward Homes
Work highlights
- Represented Wolverhampton City Council (via Wolverhampton Homes) in a case against joint tenants, who were were protagonists in a serious and sustained campaign of anti-social behaviour against neighbours which rendered the neighbouring property un-lettable.
- Defended Clarion Housing Group in a claim for disrepair, harassment, discrimination and personal injury, which was dismissed.
- The team successfully obtained a closure order and an extension to a closure order due to ongoing anti-social behaviour affecting vulnerable tenants in the locality.
- The team successfully obtained a possession order at the first hearing against an introductory tenant who had been engaging in serious and prolonged anti-social behaviour at the property.
- The team successfully obtained two linked injunction orders at a contested trial against a tenant and her partner, following a stabbing on a London estate.
Clarke Willmott LLP
Clarke Willmott LLP stands out for its housing management practice where it acts for numerous registered providers. It is noted for its expertise across anti-social behaviour, possession, policy and fraud issues. It advises on tenancy agreements, and it handles tenancy and leasehold disputes and complex disrepair claims. National housing management head Lindsay Felstead, who is national head of housing management, is singled out for praise.
Practice head(s):
Lindsay Felstead
Testimonials
Lindsay Felstead takes the time to understand her clients’ needs and the way in which they work
Lindsay Felstead is able to communicate her advice in a clear, straight-forward manner
They team displays excellent knowledge and advice in case management
Key clients
Regenda Homes
One Manchester
South Liverpool Homes
Halton Housing Trust
Trent & Dove
Housing Plus
Connexus
Stafford & Rural Homes
Staffordshire Housing
PA Housing
Work highlights
- Represented Plus Dane to obtain an outright order for possession against notorious tenants who had engaged in serious anti-social behaviour.
- Obtained a possession order against trespasser whose mother (tenant) had gone into a care home.
- Advised on a review of policy and procedure on right to buy.
- Represented Trent and Dove to secure injunctions on a without notice basis against three youths and three adults following continued anti-social behaviour and a reported assault.
- Represented South Staffordshire HA in obtaining an injunction order, including an exclusion from home and power of arrest, against a tenant who had threatened a neighbour with a knife.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP acts for a range of housing sector clients such as landowners, registered providers, residential developers, local authorities, funders, grant givers and contractors. The team is adept at handling public-private housing partnerships and is experienced in structuring public sector joint venture vehicles. It is regularly instructed on complex housing and regeneration schemes, where team head Helen Robinson is active, and the team also boasts strong planning expertise for projects in the sector.
Practice head(s):
Helen Robinson
Other key lawyers:
Scot Morrison; Mike Pocock; Melanie Grimshaw; Sarah Thomas
Key clients
Homes England
HIMOR (Carrington)
Manchester City Council
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council
Morgan Sindall Investments
London Legacy Development Corporation
Folkestone and Hythe District Council
Keepmoat Homes
Crawley Borough Council
Rowlinson Construction
Work highlights
- The team continues to advise HIMOR on the redevelopment of the former Shell refinery at Carrington.
- The team acted for Manchester City Council on the Northern Gateway project, which included securing an investment partner for one of the largest urban regeneration opportunities in the UK.
- Advised Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund on the delivery of its second Housing Investment Fund.
- The team is advising two local authorities jointly procuring a private sector partner to deliver a major regeneration and housing scheme.
- Advised Morgan Sindall Investments on a public-private sector partnership with Hertfordshire County Council to deliver 6,000 homes over 15 years.
Weightmans LLP
Weightmans LLP acts for housing associations on a range of property management matters; it is noted for its experience in handling issues arising out of anti-social behaviour and handles claims for disrepair and possession. The team also offers pensions, corporate, corporate governance, commercial, employment, contentious construction, development and regeneration work, home ownership, landlord and tenant, and securitisation matters. Sian Evans heads the team, which includes associates Matthew Wilson, who recently joined from Clarke Willmott LLP, and Thomas Starkey, who heads the real estate division of the social housing practice.
Practice head(s):
Sian Evans
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Wilson; Thomas Starkey; Gary Jones; Karen Neald; Tom Collins
Key clients
The Sovini Group
Jigsaw Housing Group
Torus Housing Group
Forviva( City West)
Halton Housing Trust
Clarion Housing Group
The Guinness Partnership
Regenda Housing Group
Pierhead Housing Association( Prima Group)
Plus Dane Housing Group
Gentoo Homes
Calico Homes
Stockport Homes
Weaver Vale Housing trust
Work highlights
- Provided advice on ongoing acquisitions and dispositions of OSUK’s PRS portfolio, land for development and open market sale.
- Advised on One Vision Housing’s HCA acquisition and development programme.
- Advised on Halton Trust’s HCA acquisition and development programme.
- Advised on R-Haus Living’s ongoing acquisition programme of tenanted PRS stock
- Advised Chorley Community Housing on a disrepair claim.
Knox Ellis Solicitors
Specialist firm Knox Ellis Solicitors, which was acquired by MSB Law LLP in November 2018, is a 'specialist housing law offering'. It is instructed by registered providers and local authorities on a range of housing management mandates. It is noted for its experience in anti-social behaviour disputes, as well as disrepair, tenancy, leasehold and asset management work. Tom Knox provides 'clear and comprehensive advice' and barrister Sarah Ellis is 'dynamic, driven, knowledgeable, professional and supportive, and is an excellent advocate'. Senior associate solicitor Louise Murphy is also a key figure.
Practice head(s):
Tom Knox; Sarah Ellis
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
The team is enthusiastic, approachable, knowledgeable and professional
The team provides a seamless service
Sarah Ellis is a strong, tenacious advocate who prepares cases diligently and presents them effectively.
The team is approachable, friendly, and stands out for its no-nonsense speech and clarity
Tom Knox and Sarah Ellis have considerable experience in assisting claimant landlords with all forms of litigation
Key clients
Arches Housing
Arcon Housing Association
Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council
Brighter Futures
Bury Metropolitan Borough Council
Care Housing Association
Cheshire West and Chester
City South Manchester Housing Trust
Clarion Housing Association
Community Gateway Housing
Connect Housing
Eastlands Homes
Eden Housing Association
Fairhome Group PLC
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Impact Housing Association
Irwell Valley Housing Association
Knowsley Housing Trust
One Manchester
Parkway Green Housing Trust
Peaks and Plains Housing Trust
Plus Dane Housing
Progress Housing Association
Southway Housing Trust
South Yorkshire Housing Association
Stafford and Rural Homes
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Trafford Housing Trust
Trent and Dove Housing
Unity Housing Association
Weaver Vale Housing Trust
Willow Park Housing Trust
Wirral Partnership Homes (t/a) Magenta Living
Wulvern (t/a) The Guinness Partnership
Wythenshawe Community Housing Group
Yorkshire Housing
Work highlights
- Advised a private registered provider on the potential recovery of grant funding.
- Provided guidance to a private registered provider of social housing on whether signatures from tenants could be obtained using electronic means during the sign-up procedure.
- The team was instructed by a private registered provider of social housing on rent setting and its rent policy.
- Obtained an injunction against ‘persons unknown’ after a key client’s high-rise blocks were taken over by Class A drug users and drug dealers.
- Advised a client on an abortive right to buy transaction and a potential inheritance and succession claim.
Stephensons Solicitors LLP
Stephensons Solicitors LLP acts for a number of housing associations and local authority clients on a range of issues such as policy, asset transfers, disrepair and possession, and has experience in cases involving anti-social behaviour and tenancy breaches. The team is also experienced in supported living developments, where Chris Graves is noted. Louise Hebborn leads on housing management matters and David Baybut heads the real estate department.
Practice head(s):
David Baybut; Louise Hebborn; Philip Richardson
Other key lawyers:
Gary Jackson; Chris Graves; Jonathon Waterhouse
Key clients
South Liverpool Homes
Fairhome Group
Leeds Housing Federation
My Space
Bespoke Supportive Tenancies
Houses for Homes
Partners Foundation
Kirklees Borough Council
Ist Enable
Enabling Homes
Work highlights
- Advised Fairhome Group on the acquisition of a new-build residential apartment complex in Colchester with a lease granted to a housing association on completion.
- Advised on asset transfer.
- The team advises a number of developers on the acquisition of and set-up of residential developments.
- The team advises South Liverpool Homes on a range of matters where the association is the landlord. This includes undertaking routine replies to leasehold enquires, and the receipt of notice of assignment of charge.
- The team acts for South Liverpool Homes on the sale of properties to tenants pursuant to the right to buy and the right to acquire statutory processes.
Capsticks LLP
Capsticks LLP continued to expand its housing capabilities with the takeover of Whiteheads Solicitors in October 2018. The North West practice, which operates as part of the firm's national team, is noted for its housing management expertise, acting for housing providers on matters involving anti-social behaviour, tenancy fraud and human rights issues, as well as land and service charge cases. Former Whiteheads director Paul Lloyd heads the team.
Practice head(s):
Paul Lloyd
Other key lawyers:
Ian Larkins; Natalie Hurst
Testimonials
The team is very reliable and the advice given is always helpful and consistent
The team goes out of its way to be helpful, and has excellent working knowledge of cases
Its approach to cases and preparation is always thorough
Key clients
Onward
Leeds Federated
Stonewater
Great Places Group
ForViva
Jigsaw Group
Mosscare St Vincent
Muir Group
Broadacres
Johnnie Johnson
Work highlights
- Weaver Vale issued an injunction and possession case due to the way the tenant had left the property, both of which were granted.
- Advised and represented Onward on more than 50 disrepair cases.
- Villages Housing Association instructed the team to obtain without notice injunctions on an emergency basis against seven youths and one adult in the Youth Court, securing eight injunctions.
- Advised Great Places Housing Group which sought possession on allegations of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs against the defendant.
- Represented Jigsaw Group in relation to a possession case.