Portfolio transactions

Stock rationalisation, stock swaps, inter group transfers and transactions with investors are an ever increasing part of the affordable housing sector as new money becomes available, deregulation creates opportunities and the drive for efficiency and consolidation continues.

Our team has the breadth of legal disciplines required and the track record to maximise the outcomes on such transactions so that they are as swift as possible, risks are managed and mitigated and receipts maximised.  

From a seller perspective success often means a disposal that completes on time and with no price chips. The key to this is early legal involvement ahead of preferred bidder stage and anticipation and resolution of likely issues. Such issues can cover employee and pension advice, governance and vires considerations, construction expertise, tax advice, environmental reviews as well as negotiations with other landowners.

Our comprehensive coverage and knowledge of the sector can be vital to ensure a seamless progression to sale. Thereafter, rigorous adherence to timetable is vital with a full service legal team being there to ensure that any unforeseen issues can be fully catered for. Our experience of large transactions of this nature means we can bring best practice and developed documentation to your transaction.

From a buyer perspective we offer a pre bid service to inform the level of bid which is then developed on appointment into a full due diligence exercise, at which point we work at speed and with a view to funder requirements. The size and experience of our team is such that we can simultaneously arrange for units to be put into charge. We also recognise the commercial differences in facilitating a stock swap between housing providers and have the requisite skills to manage and advise so that these often complex and large transactions are completed punctually and amicably.

The increasing numbers of portfolio transactions with investor involvement requires an understanding of their commercial objectives, real estate finance and affordable housing governance. As a leading real estate firm who are preeminent in the affordable housing sector we have all the necessary components to deliver for you in this arena – as an investor, funder or housing provider.

In brief

• Extensive expertise in managing large portfolio transactions over many years for housing associations, local authorities, investors and funders
• Breadth of service across the spectrum to avoid delays to the core transaction
• Management of due diligence processes to maximise funding potential
• Early targeted advice provided on bids
• Thorough and comprehensive understanding of governance and vires and the impact of deregulation
• Comprehensive understanding of the technical detail such as tax and grant transfer