Social Housing
UK Guide 2025 : West Midlands
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(0121) 200 3242About
Provided by Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
ACS has the largest social housing team in a law firm outside London and has grown to be one of the top UK firms supporting Registered Providers, currently working with circa.120 housing associations.
We continue to service clients from across the UK whilst upholding our social purpose: “to improve lives, communities and society” which is exactly what the social housing sector is about.
Recent and ongoing work includes:
- Governance and corporate:
- Mergers – several of which completed in 2019 with two confidential ones ongoing;
- Group restructures – including consolidation and rationalisation matters;
- Joint ventures and other collaborations – acting for clients on formal joint-venture companies, contractual consortiums, and special purpose vehicles or informal arrangements;
- Regulatory engagement – advising on breaches of legal and regulatory obligations.
- Funding: from bond funding to securitisation, ranked 3rd for RPs;
- Housing management and litigation: service charges, VRTB pilot, training, asset management and various types of litigation;
- Procurement and construction: repairs and servicing contracts as well as advising the national trade body (NHF) on fire/building safety issues following the Grenfell Tower fire;
- Property: stock rationalisation, joint ventures and development.
Chambers Review
Anthony Collins offers a wide breadth of experience across the social housing field, calling upon a deep team of distinguished sector experts. The firm is equipped to advise sizeable local and national clients, including a number of housing trusts, on sophisticated matters. The team regularly provides property management advice and handles financings and tenant disputes, among other issues. It is also notable for its advice on governance and corporate restructuring.
Work Highlights
- Anthony Collins Solicitors acted for the Guinness Partnershipto successfully obtain dispensation from the First-tier Tribunal in respect of multiple energy contracts with 30,000 respondents.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The firm has the ability to react to wide-reaching matters with its unique and bespoke specialists in many areas."
"Anthony Collins does excellent due diligence and has good negotiating skills."
"The team has an understanding of the wider sector challenges and offers proactive support in a fast-paced and changing market."
"Anthony Collins provides an excellent quality of service. They are really proactive and responsive."
"The firm has the ability to react to wide-reaching matters with its unique and bespoke specialists in many areas."
"Anthony Collins does excellent due diligence and has good negotiating skills."
"The team has an understanding of the wider sector challenges and offers proactive support in a fast-paced and changing market."
"Anthony Collins provides an excellent quality of service. They are really proactive and responsive."
Notable Practitioners
Peter Hubbard has a longstanding strong reputation for his sector expertise, which enables him to provide registered providers with a range of advice. He often advises at the executive level on constitutional, governance and regulatory issues.
"He's amazing - I feel comfortable phoning him with any queries."
"Peter is an outstanding partner for us as a business. He is proactive, gives wise counsel, is supportive and incredibly knowledgeable."
"He's been in the field for a long time and is an expert in his field. He's fantastic."
Helen Tucker frequently handles complex housing disputes, including breach of lease and possession proceedings. She has further experience in antisocial injunctions and closure orders.
"Helen Tucker is very good and has a long history in the sector."
"Helen is extremely knowledgeable."
Victoria Jardine acts for housing associations and trusts on a wide range of matters, including transactions, regulatory matters and governance issues. She also advises clients on development projects and has further strengths in charity law.
"She provided us with valued guidance and expertise."
"Victoria is our go-to solicitor of choice on any matter."
Andrew Dudley advises registered providers on property development projects, housing transactions, governance and stock transfers.
"Andrew has excellent knowledge of social housing."
"His practice of clearly elucidating issues and presenting resolutions in a comprehensive manner has been commendable."
"Working with him is a pleasure due to his professionalism and effective communication."
Andrew Millross is a notable construction and procurement specialist who frequently advises registered providers and local authorities on large-scale development projects. He also handles negotiations of maintenance contracts.
"Andrew is very thorough and good to work with."
Emma Hardman leads the housing management offering at Anthony Collins Solicitors. She has particular strengths in advising registered providers on service charges and rent reviews.
"Emma is an excellent communicator."
"Emma is an expert in non-contentious housing management."
Rebecca Sembuuze is an associate in the housing litigation practice at Anthony Collins Solicitors. She is particularly adept at advising registered providers on possession and injunction claims based on antisocial behaviour.
"Rebecca is extremely knowledgeable."
Ranked Lawyers at
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
West Midlands
Members
Provided by Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP