Firms To Watch: Social housing

Located in Bristol, boutique firm Cobb Warren has a focus on housing management and property litigation cases. Joe Warren and Rebecca Cobb established the practice in 2020 and have recently been joined by litigator Darrly Bigwood.

Social housing in South West

Ashfords LLP

Representing a number of large registered providers, housing associations, local authorities and London boroughs, the social housing team at Ashfords LLP has a wide scope of experience that covers property litigation, tenancy management issues, developments and planning mandates, transactions, and public procurement work. On the contentious side, Sian Gibbon, located in Exeter, leads the housing and litigation team, advising on a range of matters including repairs and tenant management issues. On public sector matters and public procurement issues, Lucy Woods is a key name. Bristol’s Derek Moore supports on land acquisitions and development agreements, while Exeter’s Laura Reeve focuses on non-contentious construction work. Senior associate Isabelle Clement is also highly active in assisting registered providers, especially with the purchase and sale of land for development, acquisitions of affordable housing, and regeneration schemes. Paul Butterworth departed in July 2024.

Practice head(s):

Sian Gibbon


Other key lawyers:

Tim Heal; Lucy Woods; Patrick Blake; Derek Moore; Michael Gay; Laura Reeve; Isabelle Clement; Zoe McGovern


Testimonials

‘Punches well above its weight in the sector. Great preparation work, excellent collegiate approach.’

‘Ashfords are very client focused, and provide sensible and practical advice to ensure the client receives the most satisfactory and cost effective outcome.’

‘Zoe McGovern – very detail focused lawyer who provides sensible advice.’

Key clients

Sovereign Housing Association


Aster Group


LiveWest Homes Limited


The Guinness Partnership Limited


Evolve Housing & Support


Cornerstone Housing


London Borough of Wandsworth


St. Mungo Community Housing Association


HFL Group Limited


CURO


Brick by Brick Croydon Limited


Stonewater Limited


VIVID


London Borough of Southwark


Silva Homes


Saxon Weald Homes Limited


Housing Association Legal Alliance (HALA)


Advantage South West Legal Panel


Bromford


Work highlights


  • Assisted The Guinness Partnership with hundreds of disrepair claims – both County Court injunction/damages claims and EPA claims before the Magistrates’ Court.
  • Acting on the acquisition of affordable housing for Aster for the delivery of nearly 300 affordable homes as part of a new 800+ home development in Gloucestershire.
  • Acted for the London Boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond in non-routine litigation matters including residential and commercial possession actions, leasehold matters, disrepair claims, and contentious property issues.

Bevan Brittan LLP

Bevan Brittan LLP‘s strength encompasses complex joint ventures, mergers and related corporate and restructuring work, and housing finance matters, acting for housing association borrowers and lenders. In addition, the practice is highly capable on issues relating to housing management, building safety, and contentious mandates. South West region practice head Alison Buckingham has extensive experience acting for public and private sector clients, particularly on development schemes. Jonathan Turner has expertise in joint ventures involving developments and regeneration matters, while Jessica Church has a focus on the security aspects of finance matters. On the disputes side, Steve Eccles takes the lead as housing and property litigation head, with a stream of work relating to the Building Safety Act 2022. Kate Hicks is also prominent in advising landlords on anti-social tenants.

Practice head(s):

Alison Buckingham


Other key lawyers:

Steve Eccles; Jonathan Turner; Jessica Church; Kate Hicks; Miriam Bishop


Testimonials

‘Bevan Brittan LLP always provide an exceptional service to us. They’re knowledgeable and efficient and provide valuable advice where needed.’

Key clients

Places for People Group


Sovereign Network Group


Abri Housing Group


Peabody Group


Sanctuary Housing Group


The Housing Finance Corporation


London & Quadrant Group


Southmead Development Corporation


Sage Housing Group


ForHousing Limited


GreenSquareAccord Limited


Regulator of Social Housing


Orbit Homes


Work highlights


  • Advised Peabody and Catalyst on their merger to create an organisation managing 104,000 homes and on the re-structure of Peabody’s group post-merger.
  • Advised Sovereign Network Group on the c£40m disposal of three portfolios of blocks of PRS (private rental) flats across 17 sites.
  • Advised Nottingham Community Housing Association on loan and security requirements for a £70m revolving credit facility with NatWest.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Advising a plethora of registered providers, local authorities, regulators, developers and investors, Trowers & Hamlins LLP‘s ‘diligent and proactive’ team excels in social housing development and finance mandates spanning joint ventures, mergers, sales and acquisitions, regulatory compliance issues, and governance matters. The South West affordable housing team, based in Exeter, is led by Georgina Savill‐James, with Hannah Jackson heading up national real estate finance security group. Hilary Pitts and Jack Frier frequently advise on site acquisitions, and senior associate Alex Frankland is recommended for his acquisition, disposal, and regeneration scheme experience, with Sarah Cross focusing on property finance.

Practice head(s):

Georgina Savill-James; Hannah Jackson


Other key lawyers:

Hilary Pitts; Jack Friers; Alex Frankland; Sarah Cross


Testimonials

‘Wide ranging knowledge base and generally good on availability.’

‘Individual attention and advice provided, trusted and knowledgeable in all aspects required.’

‘Always available for advice and always willing to support and assist.’

‘Excellent coverage of all areas I need. Excellent knowledge of the sector. Highly skilled and clear staff. Staff with genuine desire to find solutions. Staff who will go the extra mile. Safe to know you are in the hands of a highly respected market leader.’

‘The Property team are very diligent and proactive in their approach.’

‘Sarah Cross is very precise with the work completed, she is also professional and efficient with the work completed. ’

‘Strong team of social housing development experts with other specialists to call on when needed to deal with planning, build contracts, litigation, etc.’

‘Most of our work is conducted by Alex Frankland who is bright, knowledgeable and responds quickly to our needs.’

Key clients

LiveWest Homes Limited


Abri Group Limited


Selwood Housing


Countryside Partnerships Limited


Sovereign Network Group


One Lockleaze LLP


Origin Housing


Housing Solutions


Aster


Settle Group


Teign Housing


Westward Housing


The Hyde Group


Evera Homes


Homes England


The Regulator of Social Housing


National Housing Federation


Optivo


Peabody


The Guinness Partnership


Legal & General Affordable Homes


RentPlus


Coastline Housing


Hastoe Housing


Ravelin


RESi


Cornwall Community Land Trust


Holsworthy CLT


South Devon Rural Housing


Work highlights


  • Advised Sovereign Housing Association Limited on the issue of £400m of secured sustainable bonds.
  • Successfully acted on a planning appeal for Origin against the London Borough of Harrow in relation to the redevelopment of a site to provide 187 residential units, 1393sqm office space, 648sqm commercial and community floorspace.
  • Acted for Abri Group Limited on acquiring a number of units at the prestigious Horlicks Factory development.

Clarke Willmott LLP

Possessing ‘strong sector knowledge and commercial understanding’, Clarke Willmott LLP is especially well known in the social housing space for its strength in property and development work. In Bristol, Oliver Smedley leads the social housing development team, with Kary Withers spearheading the property litigation team, and Taunton-based Kate Saunders leads the home sales group. Richard Moore represents RPs in disputes, mediations, and procurement challenges. Transaction expert Helen Wittram is another key name, as is Maria Greener on non-contentious construction and engineering mandates. Stephen Harper is praised for his ‘tenacity to resolve issues and achieve the best outcome for the client’.

Practice head(s):

Kary Withers; Oliver Smedley; Kate Saunders


Other key lawyers:

Helen Wittram; Maria Greener; Philip Roberts; Stephen Harper; Jade Lyus; Richard Moore


Testimonials

‘Strong sector knowledge and commercial understanding.’

‘Stephen Harper – tenacity to resolve issues and achieve best outcome for client.’

‘Friendly team with a depth of knowledge and commitment to meeting their clients’ needs.’

Key clients

Stonewater Limited


The Guinness Partnership


Sovereign Housing


Bromford


Plymouth Community Homes


Abri


LiveWest


Alliance Homes


L&Q


Aster


Work highlights


  • Advising Aster Homes on a joint venture with Thakeham Homes.
  • Advising Abri and Stonewater on drafting bespoke framework tender document for their construction procurement.
  • Advising Clarion Housing Association on an application to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) for a modification of a restrictive covenant.

Stephens Scown LLP

Noted for its ‘diverse range of specialisms’, Stephens Scown LLP handles a spectrum of social housing mandates ranging from procurement and governance work to financings, transactions and tenancy matters. Practice head Tim Walmsley is based in Truro and advises housing associations, small trusts and CLTs, while Keith Wright focuses on rural housing initiatives, and Laurie Trounce advises on procurement, regulatory and corporate governance mandates. Kate Westlake is another integral member, with construction head Jim Gorrod bringing further expertise. Sarah-Jane Williams-Cole is noted for planning work, while senior associate Helen Thomas has a focus on residential landlord and tenant disputes.

Practice head(s):

Tim Walmsley


Other key lawyers:

Keith Wright; Laurie Trounce; Kate Westlake; Jim Gorrod; Sarah-Jane Williams-Cole; Helen Thomas


Testimonials

‘Stephens Scown respond promptly to queries and offer sound advice with options so we do not feel backed into a corner.’

‘Our key contact, Kate Westlake, is very professional and personable. She is supported by helpful and efficient colleagues.’

‘The company has a diverse range of specialisms.’

Key clients

Magna Housing


Reside Housing


Greenfields


Plymouth Community Homes


Hastoe Housing Association


LiveWest Homes Limited


English Rural Housing Association Limited


Coastline Housing


Abri


South Devon Housing Group


Cornwall Rural Housing Association Limited


Bramford Speke CLT


Westward Housing Group Limited


Truro CLT


The Peninsula Trust


Ocean Housing Limited


Cornwall CLT


Rural Homes Ltd


Cambridgeshire Cottage Housing Society Limited


Curo Places Limited


North Devon Homes Limited


Three Seas Limited


Work highlights


  • Acting for several social housing organisations on right to buy and right to acquire disposals.
  • Handling disposals, boundary issues, licence agreements, disposals of land, overages, pre-emption agreements and conditional contracts alongside providing general advice and support on day-to-day queries for Magna Housing Limited.
  • Acted for Coastline Limited in relation to an option agreement where specific drafting was required to put obligations on the landowner to provide additional land for biodiversity requirements.

TLT

The housing and regeneration team at TLT is jointly overseen by Sarah Hale and David Meecham; the former excels in residential developments, acquisitions and disposals, while the latter handles public sector developments and regeneration projects. Housing and property disputes expert Kane Kirkbride is of note, while David Isaacson has additional breadth across a variety of corporate and commercial transactions, and governance matters. Associate Tillie Clark is ‘a really great person to work with’ and is praised for her contract negotiation expertise, while managing associate Susannah Lopez-Bernal handles development work.

Practice head(s):

Sarah Hale; David Meecham


Other key lawyers:

Kane Kirkbride; David Isaacson; Tillie Clark; Susannah Lopez Bernal


Testimonials

‘Invaluable detail, knowledge and advice provided by each individual instructed. Thorough and clearly very well informed to advise and can be trusted.’

‘Nothing is too much trouble from the simplest query to very detailed analysis, risk advice and all round general legal advice.’

‘Proactive and professional team and very approachable. Key account partner supported by extremely competent staff and access to a variety of skills and specialisms across the business.’

‘Sarah Hale and her team are outstanding. Sarah takes the time to make sure you know the people in her team. It gives you the confidence of knowing who you are working with.’

‘Excellent understanding of the housing sector. Excellent knowledge of key priorities of social landlords.’

‘Kane Kirkbride – huge experience; very hard working, commercial and pragmatic; very personable.’

Key clients

Stonewater


The Guinness Partnership Limited


Sovereign Housing Association Limited


Elim Housing Association


SHAL Housing Limited


Curo Places Limited


Silva Homes Limited


Bromford Housing Association


Southern Housing Group Limited


Network Homes


Work highlights


  • Advising Network Homes on its disrepair cases.
  • Advising SHAL Homes on a wide range of housing management work, including possession cases and housing management advice.
  • Assisting two London local authorities with the successful resolution of a high volume of complex claims.

Foot Anstey

Advising on developments, acquisitions and disposals of social housing, Foot Anstey‘s affordable housing team acts for housing associations and developers on a range of land and property transactions. Lara Borrett-Lynch leads the team from Southampton and has considerable experience covering a wide range of transactions, including golden brick arrangements. In Bristol, Anne Poole acts on acquisitions of social housing alongside independent living developments. In Truro, Rachel Langley specialises in residential developments. Paul Butterworth joined from Ashfords LLP in September 2024.

Practice head(s):

Lara Borrett-Lynch


Other key lawyers:

Anne Poole; Rachel Langley; Georgina Massey; Jessamy Warren; Paul Butterworth


Testimonials

‘I find all staff at Foot Anstey exceptionally professional, approachable and knowledgeable. They respond quickly and queries are fully investigated and presented.’

‘We largely deal with Rachel Langley. Rachel epitomises what we look for in a law firm – she is friendly and personable, but also extremely professional and knowledgeable. She is pragmatic and understands the risks we are willing to tolerate and what our non-negotiables are, and her recommendations are always well considered and explained.’

Key clients

Livewest Homes Limited


Westco Properties Limited


Abri Group Limited


Aster Group Limited


Vivid Housing Limited


Ocean Housing Limited


Coastline Housing Limited


Westward Housing


Work highlights


  • Advised Livewest Housing on the acquisition of 83 affordable and 60 open market dwellings from Vistry as part of a £150m development.
  • Advised Coastline Housing Limited on a subsale purchase of land for development including specialist planning access-related advice and provision of home for accessible and adaptable dwellings.
  • Advised Coastline Housing Limited in relation to Homes England funding affordable homes programme 2021-26.

Frettens LLP

The social housing team at Frettens LLP assists with portfolio transactions, leases, and disputes, including evictions and disrepair claims. The team is co-led by Oonagh McKinney in Christchurch who has experience advising on a range of property transactions on behalf of registered providers. Ben Cobb also co-leads the team from Ringwood.

Practice head(s):

Oonagh McKinney; Ben Cobb


Testimonials

‘The Social Housing practice at Frettens are simply the best.’

‘Friendly, reactive, a strong driving force to conclude and always resolve a difficult problem.’

Key clients

Independent Housing UK Limited


Bloom Housing CIC


Fox BMI Propco Ltd


Fox Hound Capital


Marigold Housing Group Ltd


Paradigm Property Solutions Ltd


Pivotal Housing Association


Work highlights


  • Advising on the acquisition of a portfolio of properties for Foxhound Capital comprising 16 residential units.
  • Advising Paradigm on various JCT contracts for social housing developments.

Tozers Solicitors LLP

Described as ‘efficient and responsive and provide an excellent service’, Tozers Solicitors LLP‘s affordable housing team stands out for its housing property and social housing management work, with mandates spanning mergers of housing associations, property acquisitions, and joint ventures, as well as condition claims and possession hearings. Alongside advising registered providers, the team also advises local authorities and community land trusts. Stephen Burtchaell heads up the team from Exeter. Amanda Bonnick and Michael Taylor are key names on the non-contentious side, while on the disputes side, Jennifer Lloyd is a key name for housing management issues including disrepair claims.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Burtchaell


Other key lawyers:

Amanda Bonnick; Michael Taylor; Jennifer Lloyd


Testimonials

‘The team are very knowledgeable but ensure that they remain personable. The information they provide is clear and concise. They are always on hand to discuss advice as well. Their wealth of knowledge relating to commercial property is second to none.’

‘They are personable, knowledgeable, always on hand to advise, experts in their field, quick at turning around information and legal documents.’

‘The Housing Team are efficient and responsive and provide an excellent service. They have also been involved in some challenging work which was handled professionally and with care.’

‘Stephen Burtchaell is exceptionally knowledgeable and willing to share expertise with others. His style inspires faith and confidence and his responsiveness is second to none.’

Key clients

North Devon Homes Limited


Plymouth Community Homes


Brunelcare


Bromford Housing Group


Willow Tree Housing Partnership


Westward Housing Group Limited


Cirencester Housing Association


Bridgwater YMCA


Exeter YMCA


Elim Housing Association


White Horse Housing Association


South Devon Rural Housing Association


Cornerstone Housing Limited


Middlemarch CLT advisors


Ocean Housing Limited


Stonewater


Northampton Partnership Homes


Plymouth Community Homes


Coastline Housing Limited


North Devon Homes Limited


Ocean Housing Limited


The Guinness Partnership


Sovereign Housing Association


West Devon Borough Council


South Hams District Council


Work highlights


  • Acted for Cirencester Housing Association on its merger with Cottsway Housing.