ExperienceSusie is a Partner in the Housing team at Capsticks, specialising in security charging, stock rationalisation, void disposal programmes and governance within the housing sector. Susie is an expert in commercial property arrangements and in public sector funding and powers, including revenue and capital grants.ExpertiseSusie leads on Capsticks’ security charging, stock rationalisation and void disposal projects. Her practical approach, contacts and understanding of what is “market norm” mean Susie and her team are able to deal with large projects with minimal fuss – hitting deadlines and ensuring capital receipts are received on time to support your business case objectives.Susie also deals with all aspects of commercial property, from dealing with new headquarter/anchor leases to the disposal of garage portfolios, and everything in between. Susie regularly advises housing sector clients on governance, grant funding and regulatory issues. Notable projects• Dealing with the security charging to support a £150m private placement from a US investor• Charging 725 units (including commercial units) to secure a £50m facility from an oversees investor, new to the UK housing market• Advising on an innvoative co-housing scheme for the over 50s in London, involving two registered housing providers and a co-operative• Ongoing project for the acquisition of circa 70 street properties per annum for affordable rent/shared ownership use• Numerous capital grant funding projects for supported living schemes• Managing a review of 175 leases to establish responsibility for health and safety matters• £220m Nottingham Treatment Centre• £65m Brent Emergency Care and Diagnostic Centre (“BECaD”)• Various LIFT projects
England - London • Real estate
Capsticks LLP
The housing and regeneration practice at Capsticks LLP boasts a well-established team and an increasing number of registered providers that it supports on bespoke private developments. Practice head Chimi Shakohoxha specialises in property development, joint ventures, regeneration, and mixed-use developments for private and public sector housing, and he is supported by James Howard, who advises a wide range of registered providers on land and development acquisitions and stock rationalisation. With its background as a healthcare firm, the practice is uniquely positioned to advise on the collaboration between NHS healthcare trusts and housing associations; in 2022, the team noted an increased interest from both developers and investors in supported living. The practice’s fast-growing housing management group, spearheaded by Michael Owen, saw a growing number of disrepair matters. The group is involved in other recent sector developments, such as sustainability-linked funding and stock transfer to for-profit registered providers, led by Susie Rogers, head of the treasury and portfolio team. Sarah Waite left the firm in January 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Excellent understanding of the unique elements of the registered provider development sector.’
‘James Howard and his team are very open, approachable, responsive, and are able to explain complex real estate issues in plain language.’
‘Always look to solve problems in advance of them happening; preventing most issues from taking place beforehand is a skill and takes experience and sector knowledge.’
‘Honest, straightforward approach in plain English for all the people they interact with.’
'The responsiveness and quality of service is excellent. Flexible, pragmatic, and commercial.'
'A very good balance of thoroughness and commercial flexibility.'
'I have always found the Capsticks team highly engaged with its clients with a real depth of knowledge of the individual circumstances of its clients. They are innovative and solution focused. The Capsticks team is diverse, but a common trait is a focus on client satisfaction and delivering quality work in a collaborative way.'
'Chimi Shakohoxha is highly engaged and innovative in his approach. He fosters great collaborative working relationships with clients. Chimi can be relied on for an informal opinion at early stages of project initiation.'
Key clients
- Orbit Group
- Eastlight Community Homes
- London & Quadrant Group
- Optivo
- Local Space
- Clarion Housing Association
- Spurgeon’s College
- Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association
- Southern
- Shepherds Bush Housing Association
Work highlights
- Supporting Optivo qith the preparation of 2,544 units for security charging and working with the client on the uplifting of the values of the remaining units to MV-STT where appropriate.
- Advised London & Quadrant on the transfer of 546 units to another registered provider, giving detailed advice on transfer of the procurement process and section 20 consultation, key data protection, and TUPE concerns, as well as the issue of missing tenancy agreements.
- Assisted Orbit Group with negotiating two separate agreements regarding an acquisition of land and 55 units to be constructed in a package deal.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Chimi Shakohoxha, Michael Owen