Cost: Free

About the webinar series

Our social housing sector is pleased to announce a series of webinars taking place 11-13 May 2021.

Over the various sessions, our social housing experts (and some expert guest speakers) will cover a range of topics, all of which are from different legal areas which we can support you and your housing association with. At each session there will also be a Q&A, providing an opportunity for you to ask questions.

A full timetable and details are below.

Agenda

Tuesday 11 May 2021

• 10:00am – 11:00am – Green issues and Decarbonisation

Presented by Laurence Lacey, Kate Silverman, Jade Lyus and Oliver Smedley

• 12:00pm – 1:00pm – Planning law update
  • An overview of current planning law issues relevant to the social housing sector.

Presented by Jade Lyus, Laura Urch and Chris Charlton 

• 2:00pm – 3:00pm – External wall systems, cladding and the EWS1
  • EWS1 Certificates – what is it, what is the new guidance and what to RPs/RSLs need to consider?
  • What happens when an external wall inspection reveals defects?
  • What type of expert evidence is needed and why early expert involvement may be beneficial.

Presented by Rebecca Harries-Williams, Kate Saunders and guest speaker Ben Chamberlain, Technical Expert from Diales

Wednesday 12 May 2021

• 10:00am – 11:00am – Current Corporate issues affecting the social housing sector
  • NHF’s Code of Governance and how it impacts your business.
  • Commercial contracts update (including changes as a result of Brexit).
  • Looking forward: Future taxation matters.
  • A look at new “Breathing Space” regulations and how to maximise the prospects of recovering money owed to your business.

Presented by Amy Peacey, Chris Connors, Phil Roberts and Rob Ridd

• 12:00pm – 1:00pm –Stock transfers – latest updates and practical tips
  • The last year has seen a number of large stock rationalisations/swaps as organisations look carefully at strategic growth, with more to come in 2021. Orbit recently completed the sale of 191 shared ownership homes from across 18 counties in England as part of its portfolio densification strategy to drive operational efficiencies and support the delivery of new homes, The successful bidder/buyer, ReSI Housing, is a for-profit registered provider.
  • Our speakers will provide an update on the stock rationalisation market generally and provide practical tips if your organisation is looking at undertaking a similar project.

Presented by Andrew Berry, Acquisition and Disposal Manager from Orbit, Charles Cleal, Director of Portfolio Transactions from JLL, and Vicky Kells

• 2:00pm – 3:00pm – Asset Management and Leasehold law
  • Section 20 consultations: Do’s and don’ts.
  • A look at “improvements” and dispensation when dealing with defective cladding.
  • What is “relevant prejudice”? An update on developments surrounding applications for dispensation.
  • Leasehold enfranchisement (including lease extensions) the proposed changes.
  • Connectivity for tomorrow’s world – an overview of The Telecommunications Infrastructure (leasehold property) Act 2021.
  • A look at new “Breathing Space” regulations and how to maximise the prospects of recovering money owed to your business.

Presented by Georgina Lee, Henry Russell, Kary Withers, Phil Roberts and Sara Dolley

Thursday 12 May 2021

• 9:30am – 10:30am – Covid-19’s impact on housing management teams: Past, present and future
  • Where are we now one year on from the initial Covid-19 lockdown?
  • A legal update on current Housing Management issues impacting how you manage your tenants, both at present and in the future.
  • A look at new “Breathing Space” regulations and how to maximise the prospects of recovering money owed to your business.

Presented by Lindsay Felstead, Phil Roberts and Sarah Orchard

• 2:00pm – 3:00pm – Changing spaces: Considerations when reducing your commercial space and planning issues around changes of use
  • Pointers on 1954 Act renewals and exit strategies.
  • Break option tips.
  • Using the same space in different ways by using your permitted development rights.

Presented by Jade Lyus and Sara Dolley