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.

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.

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.

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’.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.