Held at The Pullman Hotel’s Shaw Theatre on Euston Road, and hosted by ALEP Committee Member, Anna Favre, the Conference tackled issues impacting professionals in the leasehold enfranchisement sector with key topics including Right to Manage legislation, how to value tenants’ improvements, and lease lengths among those under the microscope.
ALEP Director, Mark Chick, said: “We were delighted to be able to welcome members to this year’s Conference in-person after last year’s virtual sessions. The ALEP Conference is one of the sector’s biggest events where delegates expect to debate relevant topics that impact their professional lives. This year’s event was no exception and the Conference has provided our delegates with relevant, thought-provoking content and explored the challenges that our members face.”
Sponsored by insurance firm Kerry London Ltd, the ALEP Conference was split into morning sessions aimed at junior practitioners and afternoon sessions relevant to all delegates. The morning sessions provided a useful overview of marketing best practice, with presentations on sales techniques from award-winning mentor and trainer, James White; the importance of digital marketing from Google expert and digital marketing consultant, Josh Whiten; and the art of negotiation from Nikki Squire and Doron Davidson of training consultancy, Strevas.
The afternoon sessions commenced with a presentation by barristers Mark Loveday and Richard Alford of Tanfield Chambers, who discussed the evolution of Right To Manage case law as it affects procedure and qualification and issues in Settlers Court, and what this decision may mean for the proposed reform of the law in this area. Katherine Simpson, Solicitor at law firm Edwin Coe, continued by exploring the risk of ‘holding over’ and practical impact from a valuation point of view.
ALEP Director, John Midgley took to the stage to update delegates on ALEP’s work over the last year, including its involvement in various consultations and events, and provided an overview of the Association’s plans for the future, including the launch of a new website in the next few months, and ALEP’s Gala Dinner event on 6 October 2022, which celebrate the Association’s 15-year anniversary.
Barrister Tom Jefferies from Landmark Chambers then discussed how to value tenants’ improvements and provided an overview of the latest developments in the case of Alberti, and what this means for enfranchisement professionals in practice.
The Conference ended with a session by Ellodie Gibbons, Barrister at Tanfield Chambers, who provided an overview of the latest cases and updated delegates on the most recent developments in the Government’s leasehold reform programme.
Mark Chick concluded: “ALEP is about best practice and sector-wide education and we hope that the topics discussed at this year’s Conference will prove particularly useful as we head out of the pandemic and into, potentially, a challenging economic climate. The Association’s annual events provide important opportunities for professionals to network and socialise, and it was fantastic to spend the day with our members in-person once again!”
