Our specialist property solicitors have a depth of experience from various sectors, which means we're able to provide you with added value and the ability to draw on commercial experience as well as that from within the social housing sector. Members of our team have worked in-house for social housing providers, as well as large-scale private developers (including the UK top three house builders) and residential conveyancing.
Development work for RPs is one of our largest work areas, and our team has a wealth of experience in social housing development. We work closely with our procurement and construction specialists and draws on specialist planning resource where required to provide a ‘full-service’. We advise on all aspects of development schemes including development agreements, site acquisitions and disposals and ancillary documentation.
Some of our recent cases include:
In addition to this scheme, we have also worked with Knowsley Housing Trust on an 'extra care' scheme, which comprised the sale of 20 over 55s apartments on a shared ownership basis, with staircasing restricted to 75%. The apartments formed part of the wider extra care development. This scheme wasn't straight forward, as our client agreed to open market sales of two of the apartments partway through the scheme, so we adapted the lease to deal with this point. When drafting the original lease, we ensured that sinking fund provisions were included to take account of the extra care facilities on the wider estate.
This is just one example of where we have supported our clients with shared ownership and staircasing services.
We have dealt with schemes where we have had to draft provisions to allow for 'reverse staircasing' where leaseholders can reduce their equity share, in return for a care package to that value.
Such freedoms will allow HAs greater flexibility over how they use their assets and, potentially, how they structure their businesses. Our expert panel gathered to discuss the possible opportunities the deregulatory measures offer, together with the likely hurdles. Read the outcome of their discussion here.
Last week, the NHF published its final version of its new Code of Governance and made some important changes from the previous draft that will impact on those housing associations looking to adopt it.
Delayed since Spring 2020 as the Government tackled the Covid-19 crisis, Tuesday 17 November saw the publication of the Social Housing White Paper, setting out the future regulation of the sector
As the UK’s social housing sector recovers from the initial Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown, now is the time to focus on the challenges that may emerge next.
There is no universal approach to regenerating town centres. However, housing must be considered a key part of any regeneration project – providing well-needed new homes and economic growth.
The Government first announced plans for a shared ownership right to buy in October 2019. At the time the sector raised concerns about the impact the plans would have on housing associations ability to borrow. An election and a pandemic later the Government announced, during the CIH Housing Festival last week, the return of the right to shared ownership as part of its Affordable Homes Programme (AHP).
Sometimes half an hour at a conference gives you the reality that has been staring you in the face all along. That was my experience watching “Change is on the Horizon”
A widespread issue for completing property transactions since the lockdown has been complying with the Land Registry requirement for deeds to be “wet-signed”. A hoped-for announcement of a change in the regulations has not yet been seen.
We finally have the Social Housing Green Paper ‘A new deal for social housing’. It’s been a long time coming, so was it worth the wait?
In this update we cover topics including: corporate tax evasion offences, the government’s consultation on corporate governance and insolvency, this quarter’s key dates (yes, we do mention GDPR!).
The maximum discount available to tenants exercising their right to buy or preserved right to buy (in England only) is increasing.
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