Melanie is listed as a ranked lawyer for social housing in both Chambers and the Legal 500 directories. Described in the 2020 Chambers entry as “offering a first-class service on every encounter. She is always very efficient in responding to any enquiries and provides a detailed response that is easy to understand and digest”. Legal 500 200 edition credits Melanie as “provides sound legal advice on a consistent basis”.
Melanie also has a strong interest in leasehold management and has acted for RP clients in the Property Tribunal on dispensation applications around consultation and service charge challenges.
Melanie has a strong practice in the North West and was previously tasked with setting up a brand new housing management team and leading a highly successful team at Croftons Solicitors prior its sale to a PLC.
Recent examples of cases include:
- Advising and representing a RP client who was named an “interested Person” in an inquest following the death of tenant who had been identified as a hoarder
- Successfully obtaining a possession order relying on Ground 8 on a shared ownership property where rent arrears had accrued
- Advising a Norfolk RP on challenges to their Allocation policy and risk of Judicial Review Obtaining an outright possession order in Wrexham County Court where the tenant had engaged in low level but persistent anti-social behaviour over a significant period of time
- Striking out a claim for disrepair for a Welsh housing provider
Melanie was awarded a Chief Constable Commendation from Merseyside Police for her work in combatting gang activity in Liverpool.
Melanie has delivered national training on Empty Homes, Tenancy strategy, Debt Relief Orders, Anti-Social Behaviour, tips and tactics on defending Disrepair claims and Section 20 consultation procedure . Melanie was invited key note speaker at the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Association conference in Belfast discussing vexatious litigants and sharing cross-jurisdictional good practice on housing law.