duration

Location
Virtual

How to prevent and deal effectively with disrepair claims. Find out about the legal issues and the latest best practice.

  • Read more

    2023 has been a very challenging year for the social housing sector with the rise in disrepair claims. Please join us to take a look at how far the sector has come since Awaab Ishak’s death and what else we still need to do.

    Landlord responsibilities for keeping homes in good condition and meeting statutory repairing obligations are clear. But how well are you protected against disrepair claims? How confident are you, that your homes are in good condition and that you are complying with your obligations?

    HQN has teamed up with legal experts Dot Pawlowski and Aisha Akhtar to provide delegates with the practical and legal advice they need.

    Sessions include:

    • Why there has been a rise in disrepair claims?
    • What is Awaab’s law and where are we now?
    • What steps has the sector taken since Awaab’s death, practical tips?
    • What else can the sector do?
    • Top tips on receipt of a legal letter Pursuant to the Pre-action protocol for Housing conditions
    • Housing ombudsman tips for good practice.

    Essential for:

    • Asset directors and managers
    • Strategy and policy leads
    • In-house legal teams
    • Operational teams – housing, repairs and maintenance, customer services.
    • Those who want to gain a better understand of where the sector is now with such claims.
  • Our programme

    10.30 Welcome and introductions

      • Dot Pawlowski, Partner, Trowers and Hamlins LLP

    10.35 Awaab’s law – where are we?

      • Dot Pawlowski, Partner, Trowers and Hamlins LLP

    11.35 Break

    11.45 The rise of disrepair claims

      • Aisha Akhtar, Interim Head of Legal Services and Practice Manager, SNG

    12.45 Questions and discussions

    13.00 Close

  • Our speakers

    Dot Pawlowski, Partner, Trowers and Hamlins LLP

    Dorota has over 20 years’ experience in the residential property sector having started her housing career at Birmingham County Council.

    Specialising in all aspects of issues that may face a residential landlord, Dorota advises registered providers on all aspects of housing management issues but has developed a particular expertise in relation to disrepair claims and increasingly, claims for unfitness for human habitation. Dorota leads a team of solicitors and paralegals who deal with a large volume of disrepair cases and fights hard to defend cases or settle them for as low a sum as possible.  She regularly represents clients in the County Courts in applications for injunctions and possessions. She has advised extensively on the drafting of tenancy agreements and has reviewed registered providers’ policies and procedures.

    Dorota also speaks and trains regularly on all aspects of housing management issues both internally and externally such as at CIH events. She has trained extensively in relation to all issues concerning disrepair.  She is a Committee member of the Social Housing Law Association and was instrumental in reforming the Midlands regional branch of this organisation which she now jointly chairs.

    Aisha Akhtar, Interim Head of Legal Services and Practice Manager, SNG

    Aisha Akhtar qualified as a lawyer in 2009 having taken a keen interest in social housing. She has worked both in-house and in private practice. She joined SNG in October 2017 as their in-house legal expert. She manages a team and deals with all housing management matters.

    She has been a board member for a housing association previously in East London and is currently an Advisory Board member for Inspirited Minds (a mental health Charity).

    She has delivered training sessions throughout the country on various topics throughout her career. She regularly delivers both public and tailor made in-house training to various HAs and LAs.

    Aisha enjoys delivering training and empowering people, she makes the sessions interactive so there is an exchange of ideas so delegates leave feeling confident in implementing positive change.

  • Cancellations and substitutions

    If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

    Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

    If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

    Cancellations must be made in writing, and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited

  • Price and booking

    Bookings are closed for this event.

    If you experience any issues when submitting your booking, please email [email protected] with the name and date of the session along with the delegate name(s), email address(es) and job title(s) and we'll process the booking for you.

Dates



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