Introducing ASB and varying existing possession orders

The Forbes' Housing and Regeneration (Litigation) Team have recently been asked about what action our clients can take where there is an existing Suspended Possession Order ('SPO') in place for rent arrears but the tenant is now committing anti-social behaviour and/or further breaches of their tenancy agreement. There are two scenarios to consider.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy launches consultation into Ethnicity Pay Gap

Following on from the Gender Pay Gap Reporting requirement, the Government launched a consultation into Ethnicity Pay Reporting earlier this month. The Consultation is currently underway, and responses are required by 11 January 2019.

The issue of ethnicity pay disparity has been on the government radar for some time, with Baroness McGregor-Smith being tasked to examine the barriers faced by people from ethnic minorities in the workplace and consider what could be done to address them back in 2016. Her 2017 report, 'Race in the Workplace', set out a range of actions for business and the government to take forward to help improve employment and career prospects for those from ethnic minority backgrounds. According to the report, equal participation and progression across ethnicities could be worth an additional £24bn to the UK's economy per year and ethnicity pay reporting was recommended.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea: Grenfell, the aftermath

The tragic events which took place on the 14th June 2017 have placed registered providers of social housing in the media spotlight and the public's hunger for information on social housing, as shown by the recent BBC documentary 'The Fires that Foretold Grenfell', shows no sign of slowing down. Kim Taylor-Smith, deputy leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) has received media attention this month when he voiced his concern on Clarion Housing Group's proposals to redevelop the Sutton Estate in RBKC, stating: "Housing Associations in the borough are, in some cases turning away from their core purpose".

Forbes Solicitors Celebrates Legal 500 and Chambers Successes

Forbes Solicitors is celebrating after receiving 67 nominations, ranking as a Legal 500 Top Tier Firm and a Chambers and Partners Leading Firm.

The Housing and Regeneration Team were praised for their ‘broad range of knowledge around employment and culture within the social housing sector, and it brings that understanding into the advice it gives’.

Housing Sector: Is It Ready for the Ageing Population?

Further to our recent blog ‘Smith Institute – Report Review’, a report by the Universities of Dundee, ‘Housing and Ageing: Linking Strategy to future delivery for Scotland, Wales and England 2030’, found that the UK housing sector is still not ready for the ageing population and recommends that housing should play a dominant role in the provisions of services for older people. The report recommended investments in early intervention, new adaptable and affordable housing and consulting with older people.

Meet Jennifer Hankinson - Associate & Head of Development, Housing & Regeneration (Property) Team

012542 22417  |  jennifer.hankinson@forbessolicitors.co.uk

Job Description
Jennifer Hankinson is an associate who specialises in housing and regeneration property law and she heads up the Housing & Regeneration (Property) Development team here at Forbes. Jennifer is experienced in a wide variety of areas of property work in the housing and regeneration sector including sales of land, acquisitions, site acquisitions, s106 agreements (and variations), licence for works, golden brick acquisitions, development agreements, easements, leases (commercial and supported living), surrender of leases, management agreements, open market sales, shared ownership plot sales, assignments, staircasing, boundary and title issues, housing management queries, historic rectification work, bulk securitisation/disposal/acquisition, and construction elements such as easements, utility agreements (s104, s185, s38, s278), licences for works/alterations, consents and release from covenants.

Sector insight / experience
Jennifer has worked as an in-house lawyer for a registered provider for almost 5 years before joining Forbes and so has a wealth of expertise and experience she brings to the role. Prior to Jennifer's qualification as a solicitor she also worked in the private sector, bringing wider commercial expertise. As part of her in-house role she provided input and assistance in terms of policies, procedures, financial appraisal, asset details and review. She also established and managed an external legal panel of solicitors.