Capsticks are part of a panel of law firms that have been awarded a contract with Platform Housing Group, one of the firm’s eight framework appointments in the housing sector so far during 2021/22.

Platform Housing Group – which owns 46,000 homes in total – completed 1448 homes in 2019/20 at an investment of £258m. The Group also built more social rented homes (981) during the past two years in England than any other provider, and almost 33% of the total homes built in 2019/20. Platform Housing Group’s operating area is from Herefordshire in the West to the Lincolnshire coast in the East, and from the Derbyshire Dales in the North to the Cotswolds in the South.

The group-wide framework agreement, set to last for up to five years, will be the basis for a proactive and supportive working relationship between Platform Housing and its legal suppliers. Capsticks has been selected for Lot 2, Housing Management and Asset Management Work, as well as Lot 4, Employment Services. The range of work includes:

• Housing litigation, such as landlord and tenant matters, disrepair claims, anti-social behaviour, arrears, injunctions, possession proceedings and evictions
• Housing advice around agreements, benefits and welfare, service charges, regulation and legislation
• Housing management policy advice and drafting services
• Employment law, including contracts and policies, employee relations, TUPE, tribunals, grievances/disputes and organisational change.

Michael Owen, Partner and Head of Housing Management, said: “We look forward to working in partnership with Platform Housing. Capsticks’ values, centred around looking after the organisations we work with and making a positive difference to people’s lives and communities, fully align with Platform Housing Group’s vision and aims for the future. It is the ideal foundation for improving housing services together and building strong relationships with tenants.”

Nathan Barson, Procurement Director at Platform Housing Group said: “It is great to see our new Category Management function using the tools and techniques to deliver such high quality work; not only have we successfully mapped our complex requirements but we have managed to secure commercially robust agreements with some of the country's leading law firms.   We have added value, successfully matched our ambitions to the leading players in the market and ensured we have the partnerships in place for a truly modern housing association.”  

Capsticks aims to be the firm of choice for organisations who work to make a difference. Our purpose is to be the legal advisers that clients want by their side, providing innovative and practical solutions tailored to our sectors’ unique challenges. Our lawyers work together as one team with similar values: putting people first, doing the right thing and always forward thinking.