Landlord and Tenant

We are a City of London Law Firm based in Middle Temple. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, or even an estate agent, we have the legal acumen and advocacy skill with which to advise and represent you in any Landlord and Tenant dispute.

Discounted Fixed Fee Case Review

Our primary aim is to get results for our clients. The property litigation team includes qualified solicitors and barristers whom have leading experience of high value landlord and tenant commercial disputes.

We offer all clients a heavily discounted fixed fee consultation (to take place either in our Chambers in Middle Temple or via our teleconference facilities or Skype).

The cost of the initial consultation is our minimum fixed fee of £1500 plus VAT, which is heavily discounted for the time our property litigation lawyers spend reviewing your matter both before and during the consultation. We analyse and work out the legal merits of running your case to trial. We calculate and advise on legal risk factors and the landlord and tenant rules in England & Wales. We factor in your risk-appetite, costs sensitivity and determination. Together, we plan the best negotiable result.

Rent

In many cases, receiving rent from the property will be the landlord’s primary concern.  The level of rent will usually be determined by agreement of the parties, although in a limited number of cases it is possible for the landlord and/or the tenant to apply to the Rent Service to have a fair or market rent assessed in respect of the property.  We will of course be happy to advise on any issues relating to Rent Service assessments.

It should also be noted that section 47 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 provides that rent cannot be charged unless the tenant has been given written notice of the landlord’s name and address.

A variety of options are open to the landlord to recover unpaid rent, including suing for the debt, insolvency proceedings, distress (although usually only for business tenancies) and eviction.  These are all fully discussed on this page.

Landlords’ obligations

Landlords have various legal obligations, which are often set out in the relevant statute.  In particular, these include obligations to keep the property in repair, to ensure that gas appliances and furniture are safe, to allow the tenant quiet enjoyment and to place the deposit in an authorised scheme within 30 days.  It is important for landlords and tenants alike to understand the scope of the landlords’ obligations, and these are discussed in more detail on this page.

Evictions

Evicting somebody from their home is a very serious matter, and the law therefore has strict requirements which must be complied with.  If you attempt to evict a tenant without following the proper legal procedure, you are likely to be committing an offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and could be fined or imprisoned.  The procedure to be followed depends on the type of tenancy as well as the circumstances of the case.  In many cases, the simplest procedure is to serve a section 21 notice.  In other cases, a section 8 notice is required.  For protected tenancies, a different procedure is required and in some cases it may be necessary to give notice to quit.  The applicable requirements are discussed in more detailed on this page and our expert lawyers are on hand to give advice as to the best course in your particular circumstances.

Business tenancies

The law governing business tenancies is significantly different from that applying to residential tenancies.  See our business tenancy page for more details.

Instruct Property Litigation Lawyers

We are a specialist City of London law firm made up of Solicitors & Barristers operating from the only law firm based in the Middle Temple Inns of Court adjacent to the Royal Courts of Justice. Our expert Property Litigation legal team deliver expert technical knowledge; the utmost expertise; strong negotiation skills and respected advice on the interpretation of leases, tenant insolvency, evictions, forfeiture, lease renewals and exercising break clauses which can make a pronounced difference in Landlord and Tenant and Real Estate disputes.

To contact us about your case please call us on: 0207 1830 529

Please note our minimum fee for advice from a Solicitor and Barrister in conference is £1500 plus VAT. We do not offer any free legal advice.