Ben Jeffery

Associate

Ben is an associate in the housing team, specialising in supporting for-profit and not-for-profit housing providers with development and regeneration projects, working with brownfield and greenfield sites. He also has experience working with investors and developers, which he utilises to further advise housing providers.

When assisting housing associations, Ben works on developer led sites (such as turnkey or golden brick deals) or on land-led deals. He also has experience with joint ventures (contractual and SPV). Ben provides tailored advice to clients on a wide array of legal documents including land contracts, development agreements, option agreements, leases, transfers, easement and section agreements. His practical approach ensures clients are supported throughout the development process. He is experienced in advising on strategic acquisitions and managing complex negotiations, helping clients achieve their commercial objectives swiftly.

I strive to understand my client’s targets and risk positions, and provide a service where they actually understand how this is being dealt with, advising in non-legal jargon and using practical application. Legal advice should not need a legal degree to be interpreted, or risk halting deals by being overly concerned with unrealistic situations that never happen in practice.

Ben Jeffery, Associate

Ben has worked in the social housing sector since 2018, qualifying as a solicitor in 2021 and joining Penningtons Manches Cooper in 2023. He has previously worked in house at a housing association, where he gained valuable insights into operational changes faced by the sector.

Recent work highlights

Turnkey contracts

Working with a registered provider on an arrangement whereby turnkey contracts were appended to an option agreement for a site so that a promoter could find a developer for a site with the affordable units already accounted for.

New selling model

Working with a registered provider to develop a new model for selling and developing unused plots of land with SME house builders on a profit-sharing agreement.

Affordable housing acquisition

Working with a new for-profit entity on its first ever acquisition of affordable housing units.

Development site acquisition

Advising a registered provider on the development site acquisition for 120 units valued at over £20 million, including a separate option agreement should the developer go insolvent to give the RP more options.