Landlord and Tenant Solicitors in London, Birmingham and Northampton

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If you are facing a legal dispute between a landlord and a tenant regarding a residential property, our specialist landlord and tenant solicitors can support you with practical legal advice for a swift resolution. With over a hundred years of experience between us, we have the expertise to take on a wide range of matters.

Whether it’s maintenance, charges, rent or other legal obligations, landlord and tenant disputes can often arise and that can be the cause of distress, tension and confusion. When that happens, the Witan Solicitors team are there to break down all complex concepts for you and advise you on your rights and obligations.

We will also present you with the best course of legal action you can take to end the conflict in a positive way. Whether an amicable agreement can be reached or you need to go to court, our team will support you at all stages of the dispute resolution process.

If you are looking for a legal way to resolve a residential landlord and tenant dispute, contact our experienced landlord and tenant solicitors in London, Birmingham and Northampton for advice on 0300 303 2071 or send us a query at info@witansolicitors.co.uk to discuss your case. We offer a no-obligation consultation free of charge.

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The Legal Rights & Obligations of Tenants and Landlords

There are several pieces of legislation that regulate the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants, including the Landlord and Tenant Act (1985), the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.

The Tenant’s Rights & Obligations

Under those legislations, residential tenants have multiple rights, including the right to:

• Live in a home that is safe and maintained correctly
• Have a written tenancy agreement for 3+ years
• Benefit from a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme (TDS)
• Live in a property with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating no lower than E
• Challenge service charges and rent reviews
• Fair eviction
• Not be subject to certain fees (as detailed in the Tenant Fees Act 2019)

In return, the tenant is obliged to:

• Care for and maintain the property
• Pay rent regardless of any landlord and tenant disputes
• Pay charges such as maintenance fees, electricity bills and Council Tax
• Pat for any damages to the property that they are responsible for
• Obtain agreement from the landlord prior to subletting

The Landlord’s Rights and Obligations

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act, landlords have a list of rights and responsibilities, in regard to a number of topics, including:

• Maintenance of the interior and exterior of the property – this includes everything from the heating, electricity and plumbing to the walls and the roofs. It is the responsibility of the tenant to notify the landlord of any problems but once they’ve been made aware of the issue, the landlord is legally obligated to carry out all necessary repairs in a timely manner. Otherwise, the tenant might be able to claim compensation.
• Entering the property – the landlord doesn’t have the right to enter the property unannounced (a minimum of 24 hours notice is required)
• Retaliation and abusive behaviour – the landlord cannot disturb the peace of the tenant, act abusively towards them or cut their access to electricity, gas or water, regardless of any ongoing landlord and tenant disputes.

If you are unsure about your rights and obligations as a tenant or as a landlord, feel free to speak to one of our landlord and tenant solicitors for advice on 0300 303 2071.

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How We Can Help

When there is a conflict between a landlord and their tenant, we will first familiarise ourselves with the details of the case. Once we have the full picture, we will advise you on the solutions available to you and we can work with you to negotiate an agreement between the two parties outside of Court.

When legal action cannot be avoided, our team can help you by:

• Bring various claims to court
• Renewing your lease
• Resolving contented lease reviews
• Recovering unpaid rent and service charges
• Enforcing the responsibilities and obligations both of the tenant and the landlord

Residential Landlord and Tenant Disputes We Can Help With

Some of the types of landlord and tenant disputes that we regularly advise clients on include:

• Service charge disputes
• Rent arrears
• Anti-social behaviour
• Breach of lease
• Rent increase disputes
• Property management disputes
• Termination of tenancy
• Forfeiture and possession
• Lease and tenancy agreement disputes
• Squatters and trespassers

Commercial Landlord & Tenant Disputes

In addition to our residential litigation services, our team of tenant and landlord solicitors also offers specialist commercial property dispute resolution services for cases involving but not limited to:

• Dilapidation Claims
• Forfeiture and Possession
• Lease Renewal and Security of Tenure
• Rent and Service Charge Recovery
• Professional Negligence (Surveyor)
• Defective Premise And Housing Disrepair

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Our Approach

At Witan Solicitors, we have been resolving residential landlord and tenant disputes since 2014 with an excellent track record of success. Our goal is to be your guide through any legal matter, regardless of how complex it may be. We offer effective, actionable advice to allow you to choose the best option in your specific circumstances. We know that conflicts can make you feel powerless, so, by avoiding legal jargon where possible, we provide you with a clear picture of the situation and place the power back in your hands.

Our landlord and tenant solicitors always try alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques such as negotiation and mediation first to reach a positive outcome without the need to involve you in lengthy Court proceedings. If a mutually favourable solution can be worked out, we will find a way to do it, saving you time, money and stress.

Where legal action must be taken, our team will take all necessary steps to win your case. We will represent you in Court when needed to ensure that your rights and your best interests are protected at all times. Witan Solicitors are the experts in your corner that you can rely on.

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Landlord and Tenant Dispute Resolution Costs

The legal costs involved in resolving landlord and tenant disputes depend on the specific circumstances in your case and the actions we need to take to resolve the matter. Generally speaking, disputes that are resolved amicably via an agreement between the two parties, take less time to reach a conclusion and cost less in legal fees.

At Witan Solicitors, we adopt a fully transparent approach with respect to our pricing and we have a range of funding options available. We offer competitive hourly rates and fixed-fee solicitor services, as well as No Win No Fee claims.

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Why Choose Witan Solicitors?

• 100+ Years of Combined Experience: With over a century of experience amongst us, we have the expertise to successfully resolve landlord and tenant disputes
• Established in 2014: Witan Solicitors have been helping individuals with dispute resolution for over a decade
• Legal 500 Recognised: Our Solicitors have been recognised in the Legal 500
• Industry Experts: We never stop learning and we always stay in the know about the latest legal changes
• Multilingual Support: To best support all our clients, we offer legal advice in over 10 languages
• Landlord and Tenant Solicitors Near You: You can meet our team in three central locations – London, Birmingham and Northampton

To allow you to find out how we work and what we can do for you, we offer a free initial consultation where we can discuss your case and see what we can do about your landlord and tenant dispute. You have no obligation to instruct us after this meeting if you don’t want to. Book yours today by calling Witan Solicitors on 0300 303 2071.

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FAQ

Can you help both tenants and landlords?

Yes, we can offer legal assistance regardless of which side of a landlord and tenant dispute you are on.

What are the most common landlord and tenant disputes about?

There are many issues that can cause a dispute between a tenant and a landlord but some of the most common include:

• Property damages
• Lack of maintenance
• Noise, disturbances of the peace and cleanliness
• Rent arrears
• Return of deposit

What should I do if I have an issue with my landlord/tenant?

The best thing to do when you are involved in a landlord and tenant dispute is to first speak to your landlord directly. If the conflict can’t be resolved, then seek legal advice. This will allow you to understand what you can and cannot do and whether compensation can be claimed.

What can I claim compensation for from my landlord?

You could be entitled to compensation if issues at the property that haven’t been properly addressed by the landlord have resulted in:

• You have suffered financial losses
• Your belongings have been destroyed or damaged
• Your daily life has been severely disrupted
• You have suffered health problems

Can I evict a tenant before the end of their tenancy?

Yes, you can evict a tenant before the end of their tenancy but only if they:

• Have not been paying rent
• Have been involved in anti-social behaviour
• Have broken a clause of the tenancy agreement

Even if the above causes for eviction are present, you still have to follow the legal fair eviction process and you may want to get specialist advice to ensure everything is done by the book and you are not open to liability.

How should I handle a dispute with a difficult tenant?

If you are a landlord facing issues with a difficult tenant, you should always remain calm and respectful, regardless of the situation. You should strive to communicate clearly and openly with the tenant and if the conflict still persists, you should seek legal counsel.