LLG Housing & Regeneration National Lead Meeting - Renters Reform Act

Sarah Orchard, Senior Associate (FCILEx)

Sarah is a housing management lawyer, specialising in non-contentious advice.

Sarah predominately assists registered providers of social housing (RPs), local authorities, higher education institutions, health trusts and charities.

Sarah deals with all aspects of housing management relating to tenancy/licence agreement drafting and reviews (ensuring they comply with both regulatory and legal requirements) and other related occupancy agreements, advising on rent reviews, reviewing and amending housing policies and procedures. She regularly advise on allocation, nomination, and management agreements along with service charge disputes and challenges within the First tier Tribunal. 

Sarah works closely with the governance team in providing assistance in respect of the Regulator of Social Housing consumer standards, including advice on the decent home standards, reasonable adjustments, mutual exchange, provision of accessible information, consultation requirements and supporting with complaints. 

Sarah regularly runs training sessions relating to the impact following changes in legislation (including those proposed under the Renters (Rights) Bill) and the impact of changes to policies and procedures. 

Prior to her current role, she assisted Registered Providers with housing management litigation ranging from anti-social behaviour, breach of tenancy terms, advice regarding succession (and subsequent legal action), disrepair and unlawful eviction. She has also dealt with cases in the Court of Protection (based on hoarding), coroners inquests, tenancy fraud, unlawful eviction and committal proceedings (including in the High Court), Domestic Homicide Review advice (including liability and regulatory advice) and complex discrimination Equality Act proceedings, including alleged breach of the Public Sector Equality Duty.  

She has worked within the Social Housing Sector for many years, including for tenants under a legal aid contract. She therefore brings a breadth of experience and awareness of challenges and concerns within the wider sector.