Our Affordable Housing team, led by Andrew Harbourne, has over twenty years experience in the sector, working with some of the South East's biggest and most successful developing housing associations (such as Family Mosaic, London & Quadrant and Amicus Horizon) as well as medium sized and smaller associations.  As noted in the directories we advise on "the whole gamut of social housing matters" and are especially well known for our prowess in acquisition and development.

We advise on pretty much all aspects of property law, including: site acquisition; development agreements; construction contracts, warranties and appointments; residential and commercial conveyancing; planning agreements; Stamp Duty Land Tax and VAT; landlord and tenant; leasehold enfranchisement and portfolio management; and also corporate and constitutional matters; charity issues; employment; all types of litigation (including arrears, obtaining vacant possession, construction disputes and Lands Tribunal applications); public procurement; tenant consultation and pretty much any other legal issue our clients can challenge us with.  In combination with specialist teams in our Litigation, Employment and Corporate Commercial departments we offer a truly comprehensive service.

We cover all aspects of development from site identification through acquisition and procurement to plot sales.  Development is dynamic and time constrained so our goal is to develop a responsive pro-active and commercial service our clients can rely on.  We recognize that getting development agreements and ancillary documents right at the outset takes the pain out of project management and is the key to successful and timely delivery of a development.

Chambers UK - A Client's Guide to the Legal Profession 2009 Edition notes that "affordable housing is a key strength of this compact, London-based firm. Clients are impressed by the "warm and friendly attitude of the team," and credit Andrew Harbourne for giving "extremely sound, well-informed advice" on property and landlord and tenant issues. He elicits further praise for his "fine attention to detail and insightful understanding of clients' businesses.""
The previous edition of Chambers UK referred to the team as providing a service to clients that is "efficient and thorough at reasonable prices".   An earlier edition said, "the depth of knowledge" and "the ability to deal with matters consistently well" generates loyalty in clients who depend upon the firm's "good quality advice" on a host of matters, including significant acquisitions".

We enjoy working with housing associations and aim to provide accessible, comprehensive and expert help which is also commercial (our long experience is immensely helpful in this) speedy and focused on results.