The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) has held its first regional training event in Bath.
The half-day session was organised by ALEP and hosted by law firm and ALEP member, Royds Withy King at its Midlands Bridge House office in Bath. The free event brought together 50 professionals from Bath’s property scene including enfranchisement solicitors and valuers, managing agents, estate and letting agents, portfolio owners and developers.
The common aim for all who attended was to learn more about the forthcoming changes to legislation that will impact the leasehold enfranchisement sector over the coming months, and the implications these reforms will have for the wider property industry.
Sarah Taylor, Associate and head of the enfranchisement team at Royds Withy King hosted the event. An expert panel delivered presentations focussed on key issues in the leasehold enfranchisement sector, which included:
- Nicola Muir – Barrister at Tanfield Chambers who outlined the Law Commission’s work on enfranchisement reform, its impact on leaseholders and professionals alike.
- Piers Harrison – Barrister at Tanfield Chambers presented an insight into recent leasehold cases.
- Andrew Pridell – Valuer, surveyor and ALEP Director and Committee Member hosted a session on the roles of valuers and solicitors and highlighted the importance of working together as a team.
Sarah commented: “We were very pleased to work with ALEP and organise an event dedicated to education and insight into the leasehold sector for professionals in Bath. Leasehold is such a high-profile topic which is impacting firms and leaseholders across the country. This event brought together colleagues to put a spotlight on important issues and deliver a crucial look at what’s ahead for the sector and, indeed, the wider property industry.”
Post-event feedback highlighted how delegates welcomed the seminar being held in a regional location which was easily accessible to them.
Speakers, delegate handouts and the networking were also commended by attendees. Comments from delegates included:
“Thank you very much for hosting such a good and accessible event. I am a Valuer based in Newbury and early evening London ALEP events are sometimes just not so achievable, so regional events are most welcome.”
“Excellent conference. Thank you for the regional location – very much appreciated”
“Many thanks for an excellent enfranchisement conference. It is much appreciated that Royds Withy King and ALEP combined to provide a regional seminar of such quality.”
Clare Grove ALEP’s Marketing Manager, said: “As the issue of leasehold enfranchisement has become an intense topic over the last year, we made a strategic decision to broaden our engagement with our regional members. So far, we’ve had great success with our regional seminars in Manchester and Bath which saw the sector’s top counsel and highly-respected valuation experts deliver valuable insight and promote best practice to other professionals across the country. Our recent networking event in Southampton also proved to be a hit, so watch this space for further regional events throughout 2019.”
