Housing Solicitor in Wales

Reports to: Head of Housing & Communities

Responsible for: Leasehold Management Officer

Location: hybrid-working with some office presence expected.

Overall Job Purpose

Dealing with all aspects of tenancy and leasehold management law including possession, disrepair, anti-social behaviour plus other tenancy and leasehold issues including service charge disputes, working with external legal firms as and when required.

Key Responsibilities

• To provide a comprehensive in‑house legal service to the Communities and Safe Homes Directorates on all aspects of tenancy and leasehold management including compliance, possession action, injunctions, disrepair claims, anti‑social behaviour cases, and other tenancy and leasehold management including access issues and service charge disputes.
• To represent Barcud within court proceedings.
• To contribute to the drafting of housing management policies, occupation contracts, the preparation of training materials and delivery of in‑house legal training on issues of tenancy and leasehold management to Barcud’s staff.
• To work closely with Housing Officers, Repairs and Compliance officers and specialist ASB officers.
• Via the Leasehold Management Officer, oversee the management of leaseholder homes, including shared‑ownership, leasehold flats and older people’s leasehold schemes, working with the finance team on service charges and the development team for new shared ownership sales and staircasing requests.
• Prepare and present reports in a variety of forums including to the Leadership Team, Boards / Committees and to external stakeholders.
• Ensure that Barcud’s Housing and Leasehold Services’ policies and practices comply with statutory/regulatory requirements, contractual commitments and other best practice and that internal and external audit requirements are met.
• Develop, monitor and control budgets, ensuring high standards of cost control, financial governance and risk management.
• Provide excellent service both internally and externally.
• Work within Barcud’s equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging strategy at all times and in all aspects of service delivery and employment.
• In all aspects of Barcud's work, promote effective communications, excellence in customer service, and a focus on continuous improvement.
• Carry out such other duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be requested.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list and in view of changing demands, legislation, and regulations, the duties may be reviewed and revised as deemed reasonable and appropriate.

Personal Specification

This person specification details the experience and skills for the position of Housing Solicitor at Barcud. All skills and experience are essential except where explicitly indicated to be desirable (D).

Qualifications

• A degree level qualification in law or evidence of a completed solicitor apprenticeship or a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) with Civil Litigation Practice Rights.
• Evidence of continually developing professional knowledge especially in relation to housing law.
• Management qualification (D).

Experience

• Admission as a Solicitor in England & Wales.
• Substantial post‑qualification experience in housing law acting on behalf of social landlords and tenants gained in private practice, local authority or in‑house housing association legal team.
• Detailed knowledge of housing and leasehold legislation, case law, litigation practice and procedure, specifically in relation to Wales and the Renting Homes Wales Act (2016).
• Proven success in building effective partnerships.

Knowledge / Skills

• Well‑rounded knowledge of housing and the challenges of service provision.
• Ability to adapt to new areas of law, recognising that housing regulations and legislation continuously evolve.
• Understanding of Welsh government and Welsh housing policy / legislation.
• Able to lead and motivate colleagues.
• Project management skills with an ability to plan, organise and prioritise effectively, in order to achieve targets and meet deadlines.
• Able to produce comprehensive, quality reports for effective decision making.
• Ability to deliver results to tight deadlines under pressure.
• Excellent IT skills.
• Sound numerical, reasoning and written & spoken communication skills.
• Proven competency to handle confidential, complex and sensitive information.
• Able to set appropriate and challenging performance targets for own team and self.
• Ability to promote equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging in all aspects of employment and service delivery.

Personal Qualities

• Identifies closely with the communities served by Barcud and the organisation’s values and vision.
• Visionary and ambitious for the organisation.
• Embraces organisational learning and continuous professional development.

Background checks and compliance

• Must have full driving licence.
• A standard DBS check is required.
• Welsh language ALTE level 3 (D).