Housing Litigation Paralegal

Sage Homes is an innovative Blackstone and Regis business addressing the housing crisis in England by making good homes affordable for people across the country who need them.

Since 2017 we have delivered around 17,000 new homes across affordable rent, shared ownership and social rent for individuals and families. In 2021 Sage Homes became the largest provider of new affordable housing in England, and by 2030 we have committed to deliver 30,000 high-quality affordable homes across the country.

We have invested more than £3 billion into high-quality affordable housing. Our entrepreneurial spirit combined with our technical expertise has got us to where we are today and will enable future sustainable growth.

An opportunity has arisen for a post-graduate having completed a law degree or an alternate degree followed by a conversion to law, with relevant housing experience to join our Legal Team. As the successful candidate, you will provide in-house expertise to the business regarding housing related legal matters and represent Sage Homes in housing legal proceedings.

Reporting to the Housing Litigation Solicitor, you will provide advice on a broad range of matters including possession proceedings based on disrepair claims, rent arrears, breach of tenancy, anti-social behaviour, unauthorised occupiers, injunction proceedings and claims against leaseholders including forfeiture and estate management related issues.

This role is based 3 days in our Covent Garden office and 2 days from home.

Key areas of focus:

• Assist with managing all housing work referred to an external legal panel
• Train housing, letting and income management teams on legal and regulatory requirements relating to arrears protocol management, estate management, lettings management, tenancy fraud, ASB management and investigations, fraudulent succession claims and all other non-ASB related tenancy breaches
• Draft and prepare claim forms, pleadings, and witness statements for the County Court, ensuring all are prepared as soon in advance as possible
• Efficiently manage a large number of deadlines relating to a variety of cases at any one time
• Managing/ defending housing disrepair claims or counterclaims
• Attending Court to assist Barristers and external solicitors
• Conduct advocacy in the County Court on routine matters – such as gas safety injunctions
• Familiar with reading leases and being able to advice on Sage Home's obligation under the lease

• Law degree or alternative degree followed by conversion to law and relevant experience in a property/housing litigation environment (particularly the social housing sector)
• The ability to resolve a range of legal problems and expertise in disrepairs is essential
• Knowledge of Housing Law and court work, Civil Procedure rules and the relevant rules of procedure
• Dealing with housing management caseload including tackling nuisance and anti-social behaviour i.e., possession proceedings, injunction applications pursuant to the Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 and more general landlord and tenant issues / litigation
• Clear and effective communication skills are essential
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload and work both independently and as part of a team.
• Mature, hardworking, self-motivated and eager to learn
• Ability to meet deadlines and deal with time pressured projects
• Ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel with training provided on role specific IT systems
• High level of attention to detail

We truly care about the outcomes we deliver; creating safe and environmentally friendly places for people to flourish. And we're curious, passionate and inventive in the way we create social change.

Sage is a fast-paced and supportive environment where ambitious and proactive employees thrive. People are empowered to use their pioneering efforts to grow themselves and our business.

We are proudly committed to creating an inclusive workplace, where the diversity of our people and their ideas are truly valued and we love to see applicants from diverse backgrounds and different walks of life.

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