Social housing in West Midlands
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP boasts a broad range of capabilities, acting for an impressive client roster spanning a range of housing associations and housing developers. Practice head Jonathan Cox is highlighted for his broad expertise; Gemma Bell leads the housing corporate services team, handling mergers and group restructurings alongside Victoria Jardine, while Helen Tucker and Baljit Basra cover all social housing-related disputes. Other areas of expertise include governance, real estate transactions and construction matters such as procurement and remediation.
Practice head(s):
Jonathan Cox; Peter Hubbard
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Full service offer for housing associations‘
‘Anthony Collins provides specialist, sector-leading knowledge and service to clients both regionally and nationally. Its social housing teams is comprised of lawyers who are immersed in their particular practice area and, consequently, can provide clients with quick and reliable advice and guidance in the most complex social housing litigation‘
‘Helen Tucker and Baljit Basra stand out for their knowledge, experience and client service. Both are leaders in this sector. Helen is an expert in her field, whose realistic but robust approach to litigation breeds confidence in both her clients and those she instructs. Baljit stands out for her knowledge, experience and client care skills, which make her a favourite with many clients locally and nationally.‘
Key clients
Clarion Housing Group
Riverside Housing Group
W M Housing Group
Trafford Housing Trust
London & Quadrant Housing Trust
Orbit Housing Group
One Manchester
Thirteen Housing Group
Futures Housing Group
Aspire Housing Group
Work highlights
- Acted for the National Housing Federation in preparing the documentation to assist with the implementation of the Voluntary Right to Buy pilot in the Midlands.
- Creating a contractor framework for Clarion Housing Group following the merger of Affinity Sutton and Circle.
- Acted for Futures Housing Group on an acquisition of 475 tenanted properties from Genesis.
- Instructed by Red Kite Community Housing to advise on the formation of an affordable housing delivery vehicle, a market sale vehicle, a commercial vehicle and a non-registered charitable housing vehicle.
- Obtained injunctions on behalf of Whitefriars Housing against four males to exclude them from a whole area of Coventry due to them taking over homes of vulnerable residents, stealing from them, forcing them to sell drugs and using serious violence.
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG regularly acts for housing providers on site acquisitions, development, regeneration and portfolio transactions. The 'very able' Jacqueline Knox specialises in social housing development and investment and non-contentious housing management, while Richard Beckingsale heads the regeneration team. Another mainstay of the practice is financing work for a diverse client base comprising of investment funds, REITs and other lenders.
Practice head(s):
Jacqueline Knox; Richard Beckingsale
Other key lawyers:
Chris Brierley
Testimonials
‘Extremely communicative and knowledgeable team who go out of their way to provide an excellent level of service at highly competitive fee rates. Very responsive, they work with you to meet and exceed client expectations around often tight deadlines and timescales‘
‘Jacqueline Knox is a very able lawyer‘
Key clients
Sanctuary Housing Group
Metropolitan Housing Trust
Clarion Housing Group (formerly Circle Housing Group)
London and Quadrant
Orbit Homes
Bromford Housing Group
Bournville Village Trust
Home Group
London Borough of Barnet
LaSalle Investment Management
Cheyne Social Impact Fund
BAE Systems Pension Funds Trustees Limited
Coal Pension Properties Ltd
Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee
Triple Point Investment Management LLP
Triple Point Social Housing REIT plc
Horizon Infrastructure Partnership
Alpha Real Capital LLP
Universities Superannuation Scheme
Sage Housing
Legal & General Affordable Housing
Extra Care Charitable Trust
Methodist Homes
Work highlights
- Advising Sanctuary Housing Association on data protection, Freedom of Information Act issues and environmental information regulations.
- Acted for Triple Point Social Housing on the acquisition of numerous properties and portfolios of properties, mainly for use as supported living.
- Acted for Cheyne Social Property Impact Fund on the extension of its investment of a further £12.5m in specialised supported housing charity Thera.
- Advised Sanctuary Housing Association on its purchase of a portfolio of 25 houses.
- Acted for Metropolitan Housing Association in relation to various aspects of its joint venture regeneration project with Barnet Council and Barratt London to deliver more than 1,500 new mixed tenure homes.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
The 'consistently good' team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP is well-respected for its work in the social housing sector and provides a comprehensive service for real estate and property litigation matters. The highly regarded Digby Morgan focuses on real estate work for social housing associations, spanning real estate transactions, development matters and large regeneration schemes. Yetunde Dania and senior associate Dorota Pawlowski handle tenant-related court proceedings and housing management, acting for registered providers on antisocial behaviour issues, disrepair, homelessness and evictions.
Practice head(s):
Digby Morgan
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A consistently good service – we were kept well informed.’
‘The team has wide experience and skills for the particular issues facing social housing management and development.’
‘The partners respond quickly and efficiently when action is required.’
Key clients
Clarion Group
WM Housing Group
Red Kite Community Housing
Bournville Village Trust
Accord Housing Group
Midland Heart Limited
Rooftop Housing Group
Cross Keys Homes Limited
United Communities
Flagship Housing Group
Peabody Group
Waterloo Housing (now Platform)
Fortis Living (now Platform)
Connexus / Floreat Homes
Rural Housing Trust
Hightown Housing Association
Bromford Housing Group
Homes England
West Midlands Combined Authority
Work highlights
- Acting for United Communities on the acquisition of a substantial site in Bristol from a local developer.
- Advised the City of Wolverhampton Housing Company in the tendering of a scheme for the redevelopment of the former Wednesfield School site in Wolverhampton with the construction of affordable homes and homes.
- Acted for Cross Keys Housing on eight development transactions.
- Continued to act for Accord Housing Association on the Symphony Project, which also includes Staffordshire County Council and Engie UK, to deliver new Dementia Centres of Excellence in Staffordshire.
- Represented WM Housing Group in possession proceedings issued against a tenant due to threats made to concierge staff and continuous anti-social behaviour
Wright Hassall LLP
Wright Hassall LLP has expertise handling a broad scope of matters in the social housing sector, including financing, securitisation and bond security issues, real estate transactions, compliance, housing management and injunction proceedings against tenants. The team is particularly active in the property area and acts on housing development projects, from the purchase of brownfield development site, to planning, construction and sales. Andrew Dudley heads the team and is supported by Claire Waring on the property development side and by Mary Rouse on housing management, while Carol Matthews and senior associate Natalie Owen cover securitisation work.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Dudley
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team can be relied upon to provide sound advice and support across a wide range of often complex issues‘
‘Natalie Owen is good to work with and very supportive of her clients. She is well organised and has sound knowledge‘
‘Carol Matthews conveys a very calm and friendly persona but when required can be very assertive in support of her client without being confrontational. She can be relied upon to make good judgement calls and provide good sound advice in difficult and challenging circumstances‘
Key clients
Orbit Group Limited
Two Rivers Housing
Sovereign Housing Group
Housing & Care 21
Fortis Living Limited
Aldwyck Group Limited
London & Quadrant
Bromford Group Limited
Accent Group
Derwent Living Limited
North Hertfordshire Homes Limited
South Staffordshire Housing Association
South Shropshire Housing Association
West Kent Housing Association Limited
YMCA Black Country Group Limited
Greensquare
South Yorkshire Housing Association
Work highlights
- Acted for Bromford Housing Association in the restructuring of mutual easements relating to surface water drainage and access.
- Acting for West Kent Housing Association in the purchase of 75 affordable housing units in Maidstone.
- Acted for Fortis in the purchase of more than 300 affordable housing units across a number of sites in the Midlands.
- Acted on various sales of completed affordable housing units at a number of sites developed by Orbit Group, or by Orbit’s developer, to Warwickshire Rural Housing Association Limited and Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association.
- Undertaking bond security work for Bromford Group, involving a charging exercise completed within four months.
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP covers a broad range of social housing work, including site acquisitions, development, sales and leasing. Rachel Gwynne, who was promoted to head of social housing in May 2018, handles corporate governance work, while real estate practice head Louise Drew specialises in land disposal and asset management for registered providers. Paul Huggins focuses on social housing development, while Emma Gamble regularly advises on sales.
Practice head(s):
Rachel Gwynne; Louise Drew
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Shakespeare Martineau provides a service that is responsive and has a personal approach‘
‘Solution focused approach with the outcome in mind. The individuals are always friendly, informative and response appropriately and quickly‘
‘The team has a very can-do attitude. They provide practical solutions and suggestions‘
‘Attention to detail and a willingness to help resolve difficult and awkward issues‘
‘The housing team is professional, approachable, quick and efficient in their response‘
‘Stewart Freeman and Michael Lang deliver a service that is responsive and highly professional‘
‘Stewart Freeman assisted with a shared ownership problem fantastically, addressed question quickly and understood the pressure the association was under to complete on the sale‘
Key clients
Midland Heart
Bromford
The ExtraCare Charitable Trust
Paragon Asra Housing
Cottsway
Stafford & Rural Homes
Walsall Housing Group
Orbit Group
Nottingham Community Housing Association
Trent & Dove
Work highlights
- Advised Stafford & Rural Homes on its acquisition of a site for the construction of 80 extra care apartments.
- Advising Midland Heart on its Fully Mutual Housing Association Strategy.
- Advising Walsall Housing Group on auction sales.
- Advising Cottsway on a major development project with a private developer.
- Advising Orbit Homes on the site set up for the sale of a 189 unit mixed-tenure development.
Shoosmiths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP primarily acts for registered providers and trusts on property transactions, development of social housing including planning and construction, and the financing of portfolios. Bhavesh Amlani heads the residential development and social housing practice alongside the experienced David Perry. Senior associate Bukola Obadun-Craigs left to join Brethertons LLP in mid-2018.
Practice head(s):
Bhavesh Amlani; David Perry
Key clients
London and Quadrant Housing Trust
Bromsgrove District Housing Trust Limited
Midland Heart Limited
Derwent Housing Association Limited
Severn Vale Housing Society
Two Rivers Housing
Croydon Churches Housing Association
Walsall Housing Group
Nottingham Community Housing Association
Cambridge and County Developments
Muir Group
Work highlights
- Acting for Walsall Housing Group on the negotiation of, and ongoing work in connection with, a major strategic development agreement with a national housebuilder for the delivery of 100+ units in Penkridge.
- Acted for Midland Heart on the acquisition of 46 affordable dwellings, comprising 25 affordable rent and 21 shared ownership across two phases of a development in Leicestershire.
- Acted for Cambridge and County Developments on the acquisition of 60 affordable dwellings at a development at Brampton, Cambridgeshire.
- Advising Derwent Housing Association on all aspects of a major photovoltaic lease project for a 1,500-roof portfolio.
- Represent the Bromsgrove District Housing Trust on the negotiation of, and ongoing work in connection with, a major strategic development agreement with a national housebuilder for the delivery of 120+ units in Bromsgrove.
Pinsent Masons LLP
At Pinsent Masons LLP, the team led by David Meecham stands out for its expertise in housing development work for local authorities and charities, and regularly acts on land acquisitions, planning, construction, procurement and regeneration matters. Homes England is a key client of the practice.
Practice head(s):
David Meecham
Key clients
Homes and Communities Agency
Ministry of Defence
Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
Brent London Borough Council
Birmingham City Council
London Borough of Hackney
Crawley Borough Council
London Borough of Southwark
London Borough of Hounslow
Westminster City Council
Southampton City Council
Methodist Homes
Coventry City Council
Lichfield City Council
St Mungo Community Housing Association
Work highlights
- Represented HSBC in relation to the security aspects of its £200m facility agreement with Genesis Housing Association.
- Acted for Homes England for the first grant of a lease for the accelerated construction pilot scheme, for a residential development at Daedalus Waterfront.
- Continuing to advise The Extracare Trust on its fundraising to assist it in its development of retirement villages.
- Advising Homes England on the complex acquisition of land for redevelopment for use as residential, schools, commercial, retail and leisure.
- Acting for Crawley Borough Council on the redevelopment of the existing town hall site and adjoining site, for use as affordable housing, market sale and PRS units, commercial units, offices and others.