Leveraging deep industry expertise, Blake Morgan LLP excels in providing ‘pragmatic’ and ‘jargon-free advice’ across a range of advisory, transactional and contentious matters for a loyal roster of Welsh housing associations and a growing number of English registered social landlords (RSLs). ‘Very knowledgeable‘ team head Siân Jones is a ‘safe pair of hands’ on housing management-related advice and has also led the firm’s efforts on the significant legal changes to residential landlord and tenant law brought in by the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. The ‘exceptional’ Louise Howells excels in handling commercial property mandates in the sector, with work ranging from the day-to-day management of stock to development, acquisitions, commercial leases, sales and refinancing.

Highly attuned to the specific needs of an impressive roster of Wales and England-based housing associations, as well as conversant with governmental decision making, Hugh James provides ‘clear and solutions-focused advice’, which ‘takes into account the bigger picture while also being focused on the individual commercial needs’ of the client. Richard Macphail, who oversees a multidisciplinary offering (which draws from property, corporate, employment and litigation practice areas), has deep experience in the sector and continues to be at the forefront of large-scale development projects for housing associations. The ‘exceptional’ Caroline O’Flaherty is ‘well respected’ as a result of her vast commercial property expertise, which regularly sees her involved in acquisitions and development matters (including for major regeneration schemes), as well as in the attendant funding of these projects. Recognised as a ‘leading expert in housing law’, Bethan Gladwyn displays a ‘pragmatic approach’ to housing management matters.

Headed by ‘committed, flexible and very knowledgeable’ transactional real estate expert Liz Gibbons, Acuity Law has continued to solidify and enhance its impressive and growing roster of housing associations across Wales and England. Gibbons, who was recently promoted to partner, has handled some major site acquisitions for core client Trivallis to build affordable housing units. The firm also handles a raft of litigation for housing associations, with the vastly experienced Neil Morgan adept at defending clients in disrepair claims, as well as handling housing management matters, including as these relate to anti-social behaviour among tenants.

Providing ‘solutions-focused advice’ to an ever-expanding roster of Wales-based housing associations, the ’very knowledgeable and helpful’ team at Clarke Willmott LLP is appreciated in particular for its finance expertise in the space. With deep practical fee-earning experience and membership of the Property Finance Working Group, the ‘outstanding’ Vicky Kells is ‘extremely knowledgeable of lender requirements’, ensuring that bank and bond financings proceed very smoothly. The ‘cool, calm and collected’ Fraser MacRae has excellent insight as a result of his balanced lender/borrower offering and is a key contact across a range of secured funding transactions, from bilateral/syndicated loans through to private placements involving institutional investors. Outside the firm's finance work, Clare Gregory provides ‘responsive and solutions-oriented’ advice to RSLs on acquisitions, disposals and developments.

The ‘knowledgeable’ multidisciplinary team at Geldards LLP provides ‘a very customer-oriented service’ to a number of Wales-based housing associations across the gamut of their property needs and ongoing operational requirements, adding extra strength by dint of its strong working relationships with many local authorities. Team head Harriet Morgan has ‘vast expertise and depth of knowledge in the sector’, which is buttressed by her equally strong overarching charity law prowess, ensuring clients are expertly supported in governance matters. Liz Ganderton regularly advises RSLs on SUDS legislation and secured lending concerns.

Morgan LaRoche provides ‘clear and focused guidance’ to Wales-based RSLs across a range of transactional property work, as well as in any litigation that may ensue. Welsh-speaking team head Ann Thomas takes the lead on non-contentious property-related work, including the acquisition of greenfield and brownfield sites for development and, on the finance front, securitisation transactions. Jason Williams regularly advises RSLs in his role as property litigation head, with work spanning housing management issues as well as more conventional property litigation mandates, including disputes regarding the termination of tenancies and the recovery of possession.