News

Thursday 9 June 2016

ALEP celebrates record-breaking success at industry awards

ALEP and its members are celebrating following a momentous evening at this year’s eagerly-awaited Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards (ERMAs), which took place last night.

2016’s nominations saw ALEP members make up 93% of the finalists, being shortlisted in nine out of 10 categories and scooping eight awards in 10 categories!

ALEP member accolades included:

Solicitor of the Year – Mark Chick, ALEP Director, Bishop & Sewell;

Solicitors Firm of the Year – Pemberton Greenish;

Barrister of the Year – Philip Rainey QC from Tanfield Chambers;

Chambers of the Year – Tanfield Chambers;

Expert Witness of the Year – John Byers, LBB Chartered Surveyors;

Valuers of the Year – Savills;

Young Professional of the Year – Rachel George of Bircham Dyson Bell;

Regional Professional of the Year – Roger Hardwick of Brethertons.

ALEP Director, Anna Bailey, who attended this year’s ceremony, said: “What a fantastic evening! We are delighted for the members who were acknowledged for the work they do for the leasehold and enfranchisement sector.

“We are heading towards ALEP’s 10th anniversary and the awards are a testament to the calibre of the members that make up the organisation – we are so very proud of all those who were nominated and won awards.”

Held at the prestigious Hurlingham Club in London, the ERMAs celebrated professional excellence in the enfranchisement sector.

Take a look at the ALEP members who were praised at this year’s awards:

 Highly commended

• Solicitor of the Year category – Anna Favre, Pemberton Greenish and Simon Masters of CG Naylor
• Solicitors Firm of the Year – Bishop & Sewell and CMS Cameron McKenna
• Expert Witness of the Year – Einar Roberts of Cluttons
• Valuer of the Year – Prosper Marr-Johnson of Marr-Johnson Stevens
• Valuers of the Year – Cluttons and myleasehold
• Young Professional of the Year – George Calvert of Pemberton Greenish and Iris-Ann Stapleton of Streathers
• Regional Professional of the Year – Leasehold team of Thackray Williams and Tim Morgan of ODT Solicitors

 Outstanding achievement award

Tony Radevsky, Falcon Chambers 

Friday 3 June 2016

Estate agents treated to ALEP's leasehold masterclass

On 2nd June 2016, ALEP directors Alex Greenslade and Mark Chick gave delegates a crash course in leasehold enfranchisement at the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) London Masterclass.

Alex and Mark delivered ALEP’s presentation ‘An introduction to leasehold enfranchisement’’ to more than 50 estate agent delegates at the International Coffee Organisation in London.

The presentation focussed on key points all estate agents should know, including how a lease length can seriously affect the price of a property and how this can sometimes delay (or even derail) a sale. Tips on how to deal with tricky freeholders, management problems and lease length vs. mortgageability were also presented to delegates.

Alex Greenslade commented: “ALEP’s ethos is to promote best practice amongst its associates.

Leasehold legislation can be a complex issue, so the NAEA masterclass provided us with an opportunity to highlight key issues about leasehold and how certain factors can affect agents’ negotiations.”

Mark Chick said: “We had great feedback from delegates about the presentation and many thanked us for putting a spotlight on informal lease extensions and valuation issues.” 

Wednesday 1 June 2016

ALEP members sweep nominations at 2016 ERMAs

In what promises to be a record-breaking year for ALEP, we’re delighted that our members make up an incredible 93% of finalists at the prestigious Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards (ERMAs).

ALEP members have been shortlisted in nine out of the 10 categories for the industry’s leading enfranchisement awards:

• Solicitor of the year
• Solicitors firm of the year
• Barrister of the year
• Chambers of the year
• Expert witness of the year
• Valuer of the year
• Valuers of the year
• Young professional of the year
• Regional professional of the year
• Outstanding achievement award (to be announced on the night)

 Alex Greenslade, ALEP’s Director, said: “We are delighted that 40 out of the 43 nominations are member firms and individuals associated with ALEP, and that they’ve been recognised for the high standard of work they deliver in the leasehold and enfranchisement sector. I would like to congratulate them on behalf of the Association for all they have achieved and look forward to the ceremony.”

 The hotly-anticipated industry awards, which celebrate professional excellence in the enfranchisement industry, will take place on 8th June at The Hurlingham Club, London.

 Take a look at the finalists here and good luck to all of our members on the night! 

Monday 23 May 2016

ALEP Golf Day 2016

Despite a rainy start to the day, ALEP’s 7th annual Golf Day was enjoyed by 15 highly competitive and hardy golfers and 13 enthusiastic novices.

While the golfers negotiated Bushey’s beautiful but challenging course, the novices practiced their putting and chipping with Bushey’s Golf Pro, Chris Drane.  After a quick refreshment break, the novices were let loose with a fleet of buggies out onto the course and put their skills to the test over three holes.  

At dinner, ALEP director and host Mark Chick thanked Kerry London for its sponsorship of the event and continued support of ALEP.  Laurence Weill, of Robsons, announced the winners of the golf and novice event, and Tom Russo of Kerry London presented the prizes. 

Andrew Raby of Thackray Williams, for the fourth consecutive year, claimed the winning trophy and champagne, with David Sweeting of Sweeting Associates coming a close second place.  Sam Wadling of ZGRP took third place and the Nearest the Pin award.  Bradley Cohen of myleasehold took home the award for the Longest Drive. 

Kai Timmerman of Leasehold Solutions was crowned Best Novice with Polja Atkins of SA Law announced as the runner up.

Save the Date: ALEP Autumn Conference, 11 October 2016 – RIBA, London 

Wednesday 4 May 2016

‘The Wisdom of Wilsons’ named Worthy Winners of ALEP’s 3rd Quiz Night

ALEP held an evening of Wine & Wisdom at Browns in Covent Garden where nine teams battled it out over six rounds of TV; the USA; sport; food and drink; politics; and famous quotations.  

Last year’s winners, ‘Class A’ from Pemberton Greenish, were unable to hold onto their title as the ‘Wisdom of Wilsons’ team claimed victory following a tense tie-breaker with ‘Teamy McTeam Face’ from Seddons.

The quiz was once again supported by Kerry London which kindly donated the top raffle prize of an ‘A la carte experience for two’ at Marcus Wareing’s restaurant,

Marcus, at The Berkeley.  The raffle was also generously supported by Bishop & Sewell, Leasehold Solutions, Pemberton Greenish, Robsons, Seddons, SA Law and Trowers & Hamlins.  The raffle raised £430 which will be donated to the Stroke Association.

The Leasehold Solutions team, aptly named ‘The Wooden Spoons’, were once again victorious (in winning the ‘thanks for coming’ wooden spoon trophy!). 

Next event:    ALEP Golf Day on Wednesday 18 May 2016.  For more information click here.

Monday 21 March 2016

Leading lights of leasehold enfranchisement meet for ALEP Spring Conference

Key figures from the leasehold enfranchisement sector met to discuss everything from valuation to negotiation at the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners' (ALEP) 18th Spring Conference.

Held at The IET London: Savoy Place, the conference was attended by more than 250 experts from across the leasehold enfranchisement sector including barristers, managing agents, project managers, solicitors and valuers, as well as senior representatives from organisations such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) and the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA).

Damian Greenish, ALEP’s Honorary President and partner at Pemberton Greenish, hosted the event. Speaker Nick Davies, a global trainer and barrister, delivered a highly engaging presentation titled ‘Negotiation: the art of letting them have your way’. Nick’s presentation provided a valuable insight into the science, planning and structure behind successful negotiation, and how it should not be used as a sales tool. Delegates were provided with the top tips to keep in mind during any negotiation, why having a ‘Plan B’ is crucial, and how the setting and who is involved in negotiations plays a key part.

Other notable speeches on the day included one by ALEP Director, Anna Bailey, who gave an overview and potted history of the Association and its plans for the future; Vanda Kelsey of Knight Frank, who examined the three main bases of valuation under the 1967 Act; Tim Martin of Marr-Johnson Stevens who considered the valuation implications of covenants that might be included in freehold transfers under the 1967 Act; Ellodie Gibbons, barrister at Tanfield Chambers, who provided the traditional enfranchisement case update and Andrew Trott, FRICS and member of the Upper Tribunal, who presented on the role of the expert witness.

Returning to this year’s line up was a bonus morning session, in which Alex Greenslade, ALEP’s founder and Honorary Secretary and Chairman of Leasehold Solutions, and Mark Wilson, MRICS of myleasehold, delivered a presentation titled, ‘Everything you wanted to know about enfranchisement valuation but were afraid to ask’. The session was specifically aimed at newly qualified professionals in the enfranchisement sector and those needing a refresher. Alex and Mark provided a comprehensive (and jargon-free) overview of valuation for lease extension and freehold acquisition and there was also a quiz at the end of the session.

Next year ALEP will celebrate its tenth anniversary – a milestone achievement for an association which now has nearly 200 organisations including well-known firms such as Savills and Knight Frank, as well as a number of leading legal chambers.

Alex Greenslade said: “ALEP has experienced remarkable growth in the last ten years, but its core principles remain at the heart of the Association – to promote best practice among member organisations that, in turn, represent and help residential leaseholders and freeholders in England and Wales navigate the complexities of leasehold enfranchisement. Our conferences provide members with an opportunity to benefit from the advice and guidance of key figureheads in our sector and learn from their considerable experience.”

Last year marked another significant achievement for ALEP and its members, as it successfully influenced a government consultation on court fees. Following extensive research in consultation with its members, ALEP was contacted by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and asked to consider proposals and outline its concerns in relation to how increasing tribunal fees would be detrimental to residential leaseholders. ALEP’s lobbying resulted in the MOJ amending its proposals in line with the Association’s recommendations.

Alex Greenslade continued: “The past ten years have proved how far ALEP and its members have come; we’ve worked together to lobby government – which now consults us for advice on new laws concerning enfranchisement – and improve legislation to make it easier for leaseholders to understand and employ their rights. ALEP’s networking sessions always deliver cutting edge counsel to member organisations and we’re delighted the 2016 Spring Conference proved to be a great success”

Don’t miss out! ALEP’s Autumn Conference will take place on Tuesday 11 October 2016.  For more information and to secure a place, please visit www.alep.org.uk or call 0845 225 2277.

Monday 1 February 2016

ALEP welcomes new member Cook Taylor Woodhouse

With roots going back over 100 years, Cook Taylor Woodhouse is an independently-owned firm of solicitors with offices in Eltham, Dartford, Bromley and Maidstone.

The firm has a specialist department dealing with lease extensions and collective enfranchisement claims and has assisted hundreds of clients extend the leases of their flats and acquire the freehold of their building.

Cook Taylor Woodhouse offers advice in plain jargon free language at all stages in what can often be a complex process and can assist clients with:-

• Licences for alterations
• Licences for subletting
• Right to Manage

Cook Taylor Woodhouse works closely with valuers and act for Leaseholders and Freeholders.

Monday 21 December 2015

ALEP and its members successfully influence Government consultation on court fees

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Policy Group has (Friday 18 December) published the Government Response to its consultation on court and tribunal fees, and has singled out the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) for its contribution to the process.

Wednesday 2 December 2015

ALEP welcomes Yashmin Mistry to the Committee

A warm welcome is offered to Yashmin Mistry, who joins ALEP as a solicitor committee member.

John Midgley has stepped down at the end of his term, and ALEP thanks him for his valuable contribution and ongoing suport.

Yashmin is a partner and enfranchisement specialist heading up JPC Law's Property Practice Group.  Her dynamic and driven approach combined with a highly technical and detailed knowledge of property management law have seen her reputation grow as a recognised legal expert and trainer within the industry.

Thursday 29 October 2015

ALEP Autumn Conference is judged the Association’s best yet by delegates

ALEP’s Autumn Conference 2015 took place on Tuesday 20 October at the Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park. 

Hosted by ALEP’s Honorary President, Damian Greenish, the conference was attended by over 260 delegates – a full house once again.