Legal Counsel (Qualified Solicitor)

Apex Housing Solutions Ltd; Little London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Executive access to the CEO

M&A exposure

CPD support

Job summary

Apex Housing Solutions Ltd seeks a Legal Counsel (Qualified Solicitor) to lead the in-house legal function in London. You will advise the CEO and executive team, handling housing, contracts, compliance and future M&A, with AI tools to streamline work.

The role offers hybrid working from London with a competitive salary and benefits, reporting to the CEO and working closely with the executive team.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with current practising certificate and 2+ years' PQE.
• Experience in temporary accommodation, social housing or housing law.
• Strong grasp of possession and eviction law and case law, including Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
• Experience of housing disrepair claims and County Court possession work.
• Proactive, organized approach to managing a busy caseload.
• Commercial mindset and ability to give practical advice for non-lawyers.
• Comfort with technology and AI to work smarter.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own the entire legal function, including priorities, processes and budget.
• Manage possession and eviction cases proactively from notice through to possession, including court hearings.
• Respond to and resolve disrepair and landlord claims, working with insurers and our property teams.
• Draft and negotiate leases, council agreements and commercial contracts.
• Advise the CEO and Executive team commercially on risk and key decisions.
• Lead the legal side of future M&A projects.
• Own regulatory compliance and support ESG commitments, including new service lines.
• Use AI tools, templates and workflows to deliver fast, accurate legal work.

Skills

Housing law

Possession & eviction

Disrepair claims

Commercial advisory

AI tools

Education

Qualified solicitor (England & Wales)

Job description

Role: Legal Counsel (Qualified Solicitor)

Reporting to: CEO, working closely with the Executive team (COO & CFO)

Location: London W10 5AD

Hours: Mon-Thu, 9am-6pm, Friday 9am-5pm

Working pattern: Hybrid mix of office-based & flexible working from home (for right candidate)

Contract: Full-time, permanent (part-time also considered for right candidate)

Salary: £55,000 per annum + benefits

About us

Apex Housing Solutions is one of London’s leading providers of temporary accommodation (TA) and social housing. We are a preferred supplier to almost all of London’s 32 local authorities.

We lease homes from private landlords on guaranteed rent agreements and provide them to local authorities to house families and individuals who need a safe place to live. Landlords get secure, reliable income without the cost and hassle of day-to-day management. Councils get a trusted partner that delivers high-quality homes and property management.

Founded in 2008 with a small, dedicated team, Apex has grown steadily as more landlords have chosen the security of guaranteed rent. In 2021, we received backing from BGF, one of the UK and Ireland’s largest and most experienced Private Equity growth capital investors.

We are ambitious and open to new ideas that make a positive difference to housing in London. As a strong promoter of diversity, we’re always looking for passionate people to join our team.

The role

This is a broad, hands-on role with real ownership. You will run the entire legal function, act as the business’s principal legal adviser, and work closely with the CEO and Executive team. We use AI to take routine admin and first drafts off your desk, so you can spend your time on advice, case strategy and the work that makes a difference.

What you’ll do

• Lead and own the entire legal function, including its priorities, processes and budget
• Manage possession and eviction cases proactively from notice through to possession, including court hearings
• Respond to and resolve disrepair and landlord claims, working with insurers and our property teams
• Draft and negotiate leases, council agreements and commercial contracts
• Advise the CEO and Executive team commercially on risk and key decisions
• Lead the legal side of future M&A projects
• Own regulatory compliance and support our ESG commitments, including new service lines
• Use AI tools, templates and workflows to deliver fast, accurate legal work

What you’ll bring

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with a current practising certificate and 2+ years’ PQE
• Knowledge and experience of temporary accommodation, social housing or housing law
• A strong grasp of possession and eviction law and case law, including the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
• Experience of housing disrepair claims and County Court possession work
• A proactive, organised approach to managing a busy caseload
• A commercial mindset and clear, practical advice for non-lawyers
• Confidence with technology and an interest in using AI to work smarter

It would be great if you also have experience of M&A or corporate work, property compliance, CQC regulation, ESG, or acting for a social landlord, local authority or landlord-side firm.

What we offer

• Competitive salary & benefits package
• Ownership of a legal function in a growing PE-backed business
• Direct access to, and influence with, the Executive team
• Exposure to M&A and new service lines
• Support for your CPD

Closing date

4th November 2026. We may close the advert early if we receive a high number of applications.

Apex Housing Solutions is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people.