News

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.

Thursday 24 September 2015

ALEP welcomes Res-Prop as its latest member firm

ALEP welcomes Res-Prop as its latest member firm.

Res-Prop is an RICS regulated firm of chartered surveyors specialising in leasehold valuation and consultancy.  The company acts for both leaseholders and freeholders on lease extensions and freehold enfranchisement cases and has in excess of 10 years' experience in the field.  

Res-Prop also has a block management service which is RICS regulated and a member of an property ombudsman scheme.

Thursday 17 September 2015

ALEP submits response to government consultation on tribunal fees

In early August, the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) became aware of a government consultation being undertaken in relation to proposed increases in tribunal fees.

The consultation - Enhanced fees for divorce, possession claims and general applications in civil proceedings and consultation on further fees proposal - centres on the government’s drive to improve efficiency and modernise HM’s Courts and Tribunal Services, and reduce costs to the taxpayer.

On Tuesday 15 September, ALEP submitted its official response to the consultation (Appendix A), which outlined its concerns in full and rejects, outright, the proposal as it stands on the basis that it is wholly unfair to leaseholders and will firmly strengthen the position of freeholders.

CLICK HERE TO READ ALEP'S RESPONSE IN FULL 

Thursday 30 July 2015

ALEP ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE AUTUMN CONFERENCE LINE-UP

The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) has announced the line up for its Autumn Conference 2015.

The event is being held on Tuesday 20 October at the Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park.

ALEP prides itself on delivering conferences twice a year that are specific and relevant to the leasehold enfranchisement sector and the line-up for this event is no exception.

Tuesday 21 July 2015

ALEP welcomes new member Manuel Swaden Solicitors

Manuel Swaden Solicitors was founded in 1989 and being located in West Hampstead, is within easy reach of the West End and the City. Manuel Swaden specialise in the law relating to Property and Private Client and have earned a reputation of providing top quality legal advice whilst retaining a personal and hands-on approach.

Manuel Swaden currently acts for a number of corporate landlords on large numbers of lease extensions of flats in their various buildings. In addition, the firm has acted for and continues to act for many individual tenants both to extend the terms of their leases and in a number of cases, for groups of tenants in the purchase of their freehold by way of collective enfranchisement.

Partner, Tamara Lester says, "We have developed excellent relationships with surveyors in this field to enable them to offer an exemplary service to their clients and are delighted to have been accepted to join ALEP."