Please note our festive opening hours:

All of our offices will be shut from 2pm on 23 December, re-opening on the 4 January 2021.

We wish you all a lovely break over the festive period and all the best for 2021. 

The First Meeting of the Housing Best Practice Partnership Network

After months of consultation and fact-finding, the first ever meeting of the Housing Best Practice Partnership Network for West Yorkshire took place on Wednesday 9th December 2020.

The meeting was introduced by Mr. Mark Burns-Williamson (Police & Crime Commissioner) and chaired by Kate Jowett (Justice Advisor).

This joint initiative between the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner and Forbes Solicitors is designed to highlight the key role that housing plays when dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour and supporting vulnerable people in our communities as well as any barriers which may exist within the multi-agency, partnership arena.

FOI style access scheme for social housing tenants

The recently published Social Housing White Paper - The Charter for Social Housing Residents - has put forward new proposals which will allow social housing tenants (or their representatives) of housing associations and other private registered providers to access information relating to the management of social housing held by their landlord.

Adapting Registered Provider's Practises to Operate Under Covid-19 Restrictions

In the Housing and Regeneration (Property) Department we work with registered providers to develop and provide affordable housing.

Social distancing measures, introduced by the government in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, have impacted our clients' usual practises as well as our practises when it comes to assisting registered providers with their legal and conveyancing needs.

After two lockdowns and two-tier systems, ourselves and the registered providers we serve have faced a range of challenges but have found ways to overcome them.

Upcoming Event

Data Protection Issues Affecting Housing Management - Wednesday 20 January 2021

The Information Law team from Forbes explains and assesses the data protection issues affecting housing management including handling Subject Access Requests, managing breaches, valuing data-related claims and considering the new right to information in the Social Housing White Paper.

Fire Safety Works - EWS1 Surveys

In August, we published an article on the cost of fire safety works in high rise residential blocks. We commented on the government funding available to support the remediation of unsafe cladding on high rises and discussed whether leaseholders should contribute towards the cost of fire safety works.

We have also seen the introduction of the EWS1 survey and understand many mortgage lenders were refusing to lend (or re-mortgage) unless the survey had been performed.

Bullying in the workplace: How do we prevent it and what do we need to do if allegations are made?

With the recent marking of anti-bullying week, also came the news that Priti Patel, Home Secretary, has been found to have breached the ministerial code due to bullying in the workplace, following an internal investigation.

Forbes Christmas Choir 2020...

Forbes' staff from across the firm have come together to form the Forbes' Christmas Choir, we hope you enjoy our rendition of Last Christmas!