The two directors of Lavender & Wilson between them draw on over fifty years of housing experience in both private and public sectors. Following original qualification as Environmental Health Practitioners, both have acquired additional qualifications and experience in other fields, in particular law.
Andrew Lavender
Andrew qualified as an Environmental Health Practitioner in 1993. He worked for Welsh authorities as a housing specialist until 1998, in his final role responsible for area renewal, before taking up a specialist litigation post with a prominent firm of solicitors. He gave evidence on housing conditions in many cases as an expert witness Section 82 Environmental Protection Act 1990 & Section 11 Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Working as a self employed housing and law consultant since 2003, Andrew has been engaged by numerous local authorities and by a range of national consultancy firms.
Many local authorities have drawn upon his expert knowledge of private sector housing enforcement to deal with difficult cases both as a consultant and as an interim manager. He has project managed a number of key regeneration projects and the outsourcing and auditing of a range of local authority functions, including process mapping of existing service arrangements, re-mapping to streamline and improve efficiency.
A major success for Andrew has been his work over the past 15 years spearheading the Kent No Use Empty campaign, embracing all 12 local Councils in Kent. Using an innovative partnership approach to project work, coupled with advice and a robust approach to enforcement, the project has so far seen over 7,200 properties brought back into use since, with over £87 Million, since its launch.
He has undertaken a review on behalf of the Welsh Government on how local authorities in Wales are tackling empty homes and to provide guidance on implementation of an Empty Property Initiative for Wales. Andrew has since been appointed by the Welsh Local Government Association, Welsh Government and the twenty two Local Authorities in developing and implementing the Welsh Empty Property Initiative “House into Homes” & “Home Improvement Scheme”. He is currently contracted to the Welsh Government supporting them with their Transforming Towns Programme.
Andrew is now recognised as a leading authority on empty homes and regeneration enforcement, has delivered training courses across the country on a diverse range of subjects and regularly speaks at a number of national housing conferences. He has providing training on behalf of Chartered Institute of Housing, Chartered Institute of Env. Health, IDEA. Welsh Government and Shelter.
Andrew has been extensively involved in litigation work throughout his career and regularly advises local authorities, landlords and tenant organisations on enforcement and legal issues. Both Peter & Andrew in partnership with ORS undertook a study and review of best practice on behalf of the Welsh Government into HMO Concentrations. Andrew sits as a Expert Member of the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
Professional Memberships & Qualifications
- Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner (CMCIEH)
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Health
- Post Graduate Diploma Law (CPE)
- Post Graduate Diploma Surveying
- Diploma Acoustics and Noise Control
- Diploma (ABBE) Domestic Energy Assessor
- Prince 2 Project Management (Practitioner)
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Peter Wilson
Peter qualified as an Environmental Health Practitioner in 1977. He quickly developed a preference for housing work and for several years worked as a team leader in regeneration areas as well as undertaking a range of statutory enforcement roles. For over 7 years Peter worked in housing management. In his first role he was deputy manager of a comprehensive public and private sector housing service, with particular responsibility for repairs and maintenance of 7,000 local authority properties. He also managed private sector statutory housing functions and the delivery of housing assistance.
He then became an Area Housing Manager responsible the management of 11,000 local authority properties through a team of 108 staff in 6 decentralised offices. For 5 years Peter worked as the Estates Director of a further education college responsible for management of buildings, building programmes and facilities on 26,000m² multi site estate.
He also wrote and delivered a number of housing and law courses. Peter chose to become self employed in 1999. He has carried out a range of consultancy work for a number of local authorities including the drafting of strategies on private sector housing renewal, homelessness and environmental issues. He has undertaken neighbourhood renewal assessments and stock option appraisals and has managed a number of stock condition surveys. Also qualified as a Chartered Surveyor, he regularly undertakes expert witness and stock condition surveys. He regularly advises social landlords in dampness and disrepair cases.
He has carried out extensive training work including drafting of a number of nationally delivered courses on Housing Health and Safety Rating System, Decent Homes Standard, housing enforcement, etc. He has also advised several residents groups on empowerment issues and has secured two Right To Manage votes.
Peter has had extensive involvement in wide range of litigation including statutory enforcement, property condition claims, contractual claims and employment issues.
Recent work includes undertaking a major Strategic Housing Project for Worcester City Council, revision of risk assessment procedures, undertaking an inspection programme of their high risk properties and providing a comprehensive training programme for the Jephson Housing Group.
In partnership with ORS Ltd, a Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment covering 1,038 properties for Swansea. Peter sits as a Judge of the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
Professional Memberships & Qualifications
- Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner (CMCIEH)
- Chartered Surveyor (MRICS)
- Associate Member Chartered Institute of Building (ACIOB)
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Health
- LLB (Hons) Law
- Post Graduate Diploma in Management
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education
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