Victoria Smith
Partner
Areas of Expertise
Vicky acts for landlords in both England and Wales, advising on a wide range of housing management matters, including housing conditions claims and complex possession and ASB matters.
Vicky regularly advises social landlords on matters involving the Housing Ombudsman, reviewing policies and procedures in light of recommendations and orders, providing staff training and advising in respect of adverse determinations and grounds for review.
Vicky acts for RSLs in Wales, assisting with contentious housing management matters, as well as advising on complex changes introduced by the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.
Vicky has expertise in tackling tenancy fraud and regularly assists landlords with obtaining large Unlawful Profit Orders.
Experience
Vicky started her legal career in Wales, before relocating to London. Over the years, Vicky has gained extensive experience advising social landlords in both England and Wales.
Vicky has a passion for tenancy fraud and has successfully assisted a number of large RPs with obtaining Unlawful Profit Orders. One of which, was for over £145,000, said to be the second largest of its kind at the time. Others have been in excess of £75,000.
Publications
Vicky regularly writes articles for online publication and contributes to our Housing Management Brief, as well as heading up our Housing Management Brief for Wales.
Vicky has featured in Inside Housing, writing on topics including the Housing Ombudsman and Renting Homes Wales.
Vicky appeared on the Housing Ombudsman’s Podcast, interviewing Richard Blakeway on the Housing Ombudsman’s Spotlight Report on noise complaints.
Conferences
Vicky regularly speaks at events and conferences, as well as presenting webinars and delivering client training. Recent examples include:
- Chairing a webinar on ASB, interviewing speakers from the APPG and Resolve.
- Delivering training to Echelon on the Housing Ombudsman’s Spotlight Reports
- Speaking on tackling tenancy fraud at the National Investigations Conference and Shires Fraud Forum.
- Organising and speaking at a Housing Fraud Conference, held in partnership with HTFI.
Professional Membership
Vicky is a Wales Committee Member for the Social Housing Law Association (SHLA). SHLA is a non-commercial organisation which aims to further the interest of social landlords and promote and develop better solutions to the legal problems faced by social landlords.
Testimonials
“Huge thanks Vicky – Thank you for handling a tricky case very effectively.”
“I just wanted to write to say thank you for all the help we have received from Vicky and the team. The feedback from everyone who has worked with them has been exceptional. [Their approach has been] collaborative, pragmatic and dynamic.”
Get in touch
| 020 7880 4244 |
| Victoria.Smith@devonshires.co.uk |
|
London Office
Devonshires Solicitors LLP 30 Finsbury Circus London EC2M 7DT |
| 020 7880 4391 |
| emily.conway@devonshires.co.uk |
